WHAT IS POLARITY THERAPY?
POLARITY THERAPY is a science and healing art that is comprised of two parts:
a) Life principles, energy principles, and laws of nature with universal application,
and b) Specific therapeutic techniques, methods, and guidelines,
many of which are hands-on procedures.
Polarity Therapy may in fact be considered an elaboration of the laws of nature,
so long as "nature" is taken to encompass more than just the material world.
Those who experience PT over a period of time
discover that there is what may be called a "Polarity Process",
a transformation that the individual goes through
that makes one's life change for the better
and encourages healthier living on every level.
What is Polarity Therapy?
Polarity Therapy is a gentle, holistic method of treatment,
applicable to many health problems and also useful in maintaining health.
Central to Polarity Therapy is the concept of a life energy,
which is in constant pulsation from positive to negative poles via a neutral position,
creating fields and energetic lines of force.
This creates an energetic "template" for the physical body,
termed "The Wireless Anatomy of Man"
by Dr. Randolph Stone, the founder of this therapy.
Although the life energy shares some properties with electricity,
one should not follow the analogy too closely, as it has many properties which differ.
Disease is a process which occurs when the life energy is blocked or out of balance.
It could be said that there is only one disease, that of disturbance of the energetic system,
with different outcomes depending on the nature of the disturbance, and where it occurs.
To overcome these problems Polarity therapy uses a system of gentle bodywork
supported by a specific set of exercises (Polarity Yoga), advice on diet and nutrition,
and counseling.
It is this energetic approach which differentiates Polarity Therapy
from many other forms of bodywork.
Some techniques are derived from Osteopathy and Chiropractic
(Dr. Stone was originally an Osteopath and Chiropractor), but use minimal mechanical force,
relying instead on the life energy to do the work.
It differs from Shiatsu and Acupuncture in the energy theory used,
Polarity therapy owing more to the Indian Ayurvedic system.
What happens in a Polarity Therapy session?
Since Polarity Therapy recognizes illness arises from imbalance or blocking of the energies described above, the therapist will be looking beyond the symptoms
the client may present for the real causes of the complaint.
Often the presenting symptoms are not the real cause.
To this end, most therapists will begin by taking a wide-ranging case history,
aiming to pin-point the fundamental elemental imbalances.
This may take most of the first session,
although generally there will be a short session of bodywork too,
to enable the therapist to gain a sense of any general energetic imbalances.
Therapists may also make a structural assessment also,
similar to that performed by Osteopaths and Chiropractors.
For this outer clothing will need to be removed,
but normally most Polarity bodywork will be done with the client fully clothed.
The bodywork involves many techniques, mostly very gentle:
for example, cranial holds, rocking movements, some techniques similar to reflexology,
and some techniques derived from Osteopathy and Chiropractic,
but with an energetic rather than manipulative focus.
Characteristic of Polarity Therapy are Bipolar contacts (i.e. using both hands,
or fingers of both hands - each finger relates to a different element)
which link energetically and functionally related areas of the body to facilitate the movement of body energy.
Both light and deep contacts may be used, but forceful manipulations are not performed in Polarity therapy,
and it is therefore suitable for elderly and frail clients.
The experience of the bodywork is often deeply relaxing
and may also lead to emotional releases such as tears or laughter.
The bodywork aspect of the work is difficult to describe, it needs to be experienced.
Advice will be given where necessary on dietary change which may help to balance the 5 elements.
Also, due to toxic accumulations of waste products from food additives, environmental pollutants, etc.
specific cleansing diets and procedures may be given to rid the body of this toxicity.
Individualized exercises may be given to support the bodywork.
These are by no means onerous, they are gentle and fun to do.
They also help the client gain more "body awareness".
The doctrine of "Energy follows thought" or "As we think, so we are" is adopted by Polarity therapists
- the foundation of our health imbalances are often derived from our processes of thought and emotional patterns. Polarity therapists will often help clients to become more aware of these areas which are detrimental to their health. Often shining the light of awareness onto these areas is sufficient to begin the process of change.
Also symptoms are thought of as messages which can show us areas of our life and actions that require attention. Ignoring or suppressing symptoms may result in more serious problems later.
Above all illness is not thought of as an "enemy" to be "vanquished" - the image, for example, of the "invading" microorganism, but a complex pattern of disharmony involving many factors.
Through its holistic approach, Polarity therapy can help a wide range of problems,
as well as being an excellent way of maintaining health. It is compatible with many other forms of bodywork,
but seems to blend especially well with Craniosacral therapy and Zero Balancing,
subtle bodywork therapies well known in the US and growing rapidly here in the UK.
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