What is body therapy ?

All environmental influences throughout our lives are stored in various forms both in the brain and elsewhere in the body and interact continuously via the nervous system (embodiment theory), thereby defining who we are and how we act. In modern body therapy, we look for stored signs in the form of thoughts, emotions, tensions, fears, body movements or even needs. They often all act simultaneously and become relevant when we encounter them in restrictive patterns. In order to make these simultaneous sensations tangible, a certain degree of attention is required. Teaching this body awareness is part of our work. The more of it there is, the greater the possibilities with which you can face your life.

“Embodiment means connecting all aspects of experience and all levels of the psyche with the physical body.”

Raja Selva

A higher level of body awareness and sensation, known as interoception, leads to change, progress and vitality. Part of the healing process happens by ‘letting the body work’, i.e. ‘doing nothing’ and the corresponding flow of breath. Elements of this can be found in many ancient Buddhist mindfulness and meditation teachings. The neurobiological effects were first studied in more detail by Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 1990s. Another part can be found in current neuroscientific studies.

Our clients learn through interoception – without our help – to continue working on their goals. The result is an experience of self-efficacy and, in the long term, improved self-regulation.

Self-regulation is the ability to adapt one’s own thoughts, feelings and behavior to the requirements of a particular situation in order to pursue one’s own goals in the best possible way.

Gerald Hüther: “Emotional states are basically messages to ourselves: that our actions are either leading us to reach a state that seems worth striving for, or that we are beginning to move far away from this state. An incoherence is then triggered in the brain, which leads to a spreading excitement that also affects deeper areas of the brain. Networks are activated in these areas, which in turn are very closely linked to physical reactions. We then perceive this as an emotional reaction. In other words, an emotional reaction is always also a physical reaction. These emotions help us to find our way in life. Thinking, feeling and acting are always inextricably linked in the brain.”

“Suppressing emotional messages leads to people ignoring and neglecting their actual needs, so that they lose contact with themselves, with their emotions. A person then no longer feels anything and just functions. However, affect regulation is one of the greatest human abilities.
From a neurobiological perspective, we always feel a state of happiness when we can transform an incoherent state into a coherent state through our own efforts. When people succeed in making incoherent states more coherent again, energy is released…[ ]…We speak of the “coherence-restoration-competence-feeling”. Our clients experience this again and again in our sessions.

Frequently asked questions

For whom is bodywork suitable?

For anyone who wants to learn about the body and take responsibility for applying what they have learned. You don’t have to be able to handle touch right from the start. But you should be open to it in the long term.

For whom is bodywork not suitable?

For people suffering from acutely life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, as intensive medical care is required here. In some cases, if an immunosuppressant is being taken, as the work can stimulate the immune system.

In addition, the work requires the desire and will to take changes into your own hands. The method is therefore not suitable for people who are currently unable to take responsibility for their own actions. Practitioners of the Grinberg Method have no medical training. In case of doubt, the treating doctor should be consulted to clarify any conditions.

What do I learn in a 1:1 session?

You learn to a large extent through sensations in your body. You learn something new in every session and should then be able to apply what you have learned in your everyday life. This could be, for example, letting your neck relax when you are stressed and therefore no longer generating headaches. At the same time, this would also change the way you perceive yourself and your environment and how you react to them. For many people, this is a completely new experience. Most people think they feel their body well and have little idea of the multitude of sensations, clarity, power and intensity that each of us carries within us. These resources are often suppressed and blocked in our own bodies.

We can awaken all these qualities again and use them for your well-being and success. – Depending on what you want to focus on.

How long does a learning process take?

Although the length of the process cannot be determined in advance, a noticeable change can usually be felt within the first five sessions. The duration of the process depends on various factors. Namely, how long the thing you want to change has been going on and the extent of it: how ingrained it is in your body, your age and your involvement during the process. In the case of acute pain, it may be that after two or three sessions the pain has been significantly reduced, but this is no guarantee that it will not return.

If there is no obvious change after about five sessions, we will discuss the continuation of the process. In the event of a deterioration, please consult your doctor. As in life, not everything is right for everyone. At any point in the process, you can decide whether what the process requires of you is in line with your wishes and, if necessary, end the process.

What do I need for my first visit to the practice?

Feet should be clean as we start with a foot analysis. The work on the body takes place in underwear (opaque underpants and a comfortable bra for women). If this does not feel good for you, we will also work with you dressed or as you feel comfortable. Your boundaries, wishes and sensations are always at the forefront of our work. There are 2 toilets in our practice, where you are welcome to change or freshen up before the session.