Polarity Therapy
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org,
please feel free to visit the school website)
Written by Sharose Niedelman and Marya Dragonfly
Compiled by Katie Vaughn-Kelso.
The following course does not provide medical advice. This course is for information purposes only. The health related information in this course is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment. Always seek advice from your medical doctor.
Stone's Life Journey
Basic Principles
The Ultrasonic Core Body
The Chakras
The Elements
Wireless Anatomy
The Elements
Ayurveda
Yoga
Sound
Color
Acupuncture
Triune
Self-Maintenance In Polarity Therapy
Chakra Toning
Energy Exercises
Polarity Diet
Cleansing Withdrawal Plan
Holographic Repatterning
The Polarity Practitioner
Guidelines
Training And Centers
My Personal Experience
Bibliography
Introduction
Polarity therapy is a type of energy bodywork. It is based on ancient Ayurveda, acupuncture, and other healing modalities practiced on the Asian continent for over 5,000 years, and rediscovered and synthesized into a modern-day healing system by Randolph Stone, "the father of energy medicine" in the twentieth century. Austrian-born, Dr. Randolph Stone immigrated to the United States. He was an Osteopath, Chiropractor, and Natural Therapist. The origins of polarity therapy date back thousands of years in ancient healing traditions.
Polarity therapy is a somatic therapy, recognizing the unbreakable links between mind, body and spirit. Using diet, exercise and simple bodywork to address the spirit as well as the body and mind, polarity therapy works with sacred sound, color, positive, negative and neutral vortices of energy in the body and the holographic projection of energy around the body. Emphasizing a transpersonal approach, which allows a much greater, grander view of self than our traditional western model, Stone explains we are not merely our bodies, not merely our stories, but part and parcel of Divine Essence. His detailed and descriptive maps of how energy flows in the body, where it may get stuck and how to release it for greater function, were his passion and his life work. Through bodywork, energy exercises, and a health building diet, polarity students and practitioners' consciousness continues to evolve, producing profound healing and energy release. The polarity model assists in the relationship between body-mind, and emotion-spirit in a healing process. Key points include creating new relational patterns with ourselves, others, environment, and seeing imbalances of the body as final expression. These imbalances become disruptions in subtle energy currents and patterns. Polarity sees life as energy in motion, and motion is a relationship based on the individual's polarity. Healthy boundaries stem from the movement of life energy fields, becoming consciously manifested in physical shape, (the body) and soma.
Stone's Life Journey
Dr. Stone learned English by reading the Bible, hence the Biblical references in his intricate charts which reflect the tempo of his thought process. He has two volumes of exquisitely detailed sketches connecting scientific ideas, requiring great mastery to comprehend, that are confusing to the layperson. Stone, born in 1890 was a life-long student of many brands of mysticism. He took the Nazarene vow at nineteen, dieting strictly, fasting intermittently, meditating a lot and spending time in retreat. He studied Yogananda, Krishnamurti, Madame Blavatsky, Sufism, and Rosicrucianism among many others. The Bhagavad Gita, Light On The Path, and The Voice Of Silence were his constant literary references. In 1945, Stone discovered the living master of Radha Soami and Surat Shabd Yoga, Maharaji Sawan Singh, who became a cornerstone in the development of Stone's new system of healing. This was a breakthrough for him and became a basis for further study and writings. Inspired by sound healing, much of his previous work came together. Dr. Stone connects a vital link in his theory between Eastern and Western thought in a statement taken from Eastern philosophy, claiming that one's energy is meant to flow in life's currents as "effortless effort, doing by not doing forcefully," (Stone, p. 185). He practiced healing throughout his life, in a remote Himalayan mountain village in his final years, synthesizing years of Western and Eastern medical practice into a system he christened polarity therapy. Dr. Randolph Stone was first published in 1948 with an emphasis on "wireless anatomy."
Basic Principles
Basic polarities define the relationship between two places. These include the left as negative and female, the right as positive and male, and middle as neutral position. Yin is front, negative and receptive, and yang is back, and positive and outgoing. Generally, one does not receive strong, outward forces in regard to the back. Expansion is the universe, and contraction is the earth. Upper is positive, lower is negative. Also, there is light/dark, hot/cold, and others. The American Polarity Therapy Association explains Polarity Therapy: "Basic characteristics of the Human Energy Field are described in many sources, both ancient and modern. For example, the term "Polarity" refers to the universal pulsation of expansion/contraction or repulsion/attraction known as Yang and Yin in Oriental therapies. Similarly, polarity integrates the "Three Principles and Five Chakras" of Ayurvedic tradition, and has been called the modern manifestation of ancient Hermetic philosophy. At the same time polarity therapy also enjoys rich ties to modern science, which has confirmed its essential theme of energetic relationship as the basis of all phenomena" (2003). Consistently, Dr. Stone gave reference to his therapy as being part of the "New Physics," which aligns with quantum physics theory and practice, (Stone, 1985, p.3). Going deeper into the basic principles of polarity therapy includes the ayurvedic gunas, acupuncture, the chakra points, sacred sound, as well as the use of color to balance the chakras and subtle energies. Also, a protocol of good digestion and purifying diet are key factors.
The Ultrasonic Core Body
The overriding concept is that consciousness infuses structure, and that each element has energies. Understanding ourselves as dynamic energy fields begins with Dr. Stone's "ultrasonic core body," an energy system integrating the chakras, five elements and positive, negative and neutral positions of the body. First, one must disassociate that positive is good and negative is bad. They simply are what they are. The left side is negative (-), the right positive (+), and the center line is neutral (a line drawn through a circle). The left side receives, the right side gives. Dr. Stone described frozen energy as "crystallization," which may be comparable to Reich's "armoring," (Sills, 1985, p.149).
The Chakras
Imagine the spiral serpents the caduceus and Kundalini force, interlocking at key chakra points. These key points are the elements, starting from the bottom and moving upward. First, at the pelvic floor is the earth/root chakra. Second, is water, found under the navel. Third, is fire, at the solar plexus. Fourth, at the heart, is air. Fifth, at the throat, is ether. The sixth chakra is our third eye. This is the core center where our Soul enters our body and vibrates rapidly into stillness, (Sills, p.23). Another key factor is the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), "the all-present Life Energy Principle which has its base in the brain, spinal cord and the nervous system," (Stone, p. 57). Something I have intuited with my own musculoskeletal issues and repatterning is that the CSF is this "all-present Life Energy."
"The expansion and contraction of the cranial rhythm, which arises in the brain, is a harmonic of the expansion and contraction of the energy system as a whole," Sills claims (1985, p.127). Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of Osteopathy, called CSF "the highest element in the body."
The Elements
The seven main chakras work along with the five elements, ether, air, fire, water and earth, which flow in continual orbits around the body. Ether is the pranic force of the universe, a neutral element which flows through the top of the head through the core of the body. It rules communication and the emotions. Plasma is the fluid ruled by ether. Self-actualization is the result of a balanced ether element. Air describes movement in the body. Heartbeat, peristalsis, and movement of the atoms are ruled by air, as are the nervous system and the mind. Air rules motivation. Fire governs action and the ability or inability to act and take our natural place in the world. Vision, the muscles, blood, and organs are all ruled by Fire. Water governs feelings and elimination. Water governs the lips and hips. Here we take nourishment and fulfill our bodily needs. Earth controls boundaries and form. It expresses its healthy state with good boundaries, faith in the future and level-headedness.
Wireless Anatomy
Dr. Stone's "wireless anatomy" evolved from physicist David Bohm's modern theory describing the nature of the universe as a holographic model of energy pulsation, the wireless energy currents running through and all around each person as if in a "cosmic bubble" of electrical wire. It is the moving and releasing of stagnant currents in this field that is the fulcrum of polarity contact and skillful manipulation based on energy flow. The energy concept is so new that it takes time to penetrate and shift basic thinking viewpoints to release energy blockage in connective tissue.
The Elements
In a healthy person with an undisturbed energy flow, the etheric element flows through the thumbs, outward over the top of the head, and through the top of the head all the way through the core of the body to the big toes. Ether rules the neck, reflexes the big toe and thumb, the necks of the fingers and toes, and the centerline of the body. Ether in balance shows healthy self-esteem, a good sense of identity, and the ability to take psychic space. Out of balance, the over-energized or rajasic ether is an egotistical, arrogant, tyrannical megalomaniac. Tamasic or contracted ether has poor self-esteem, and feels shamed, victimized and sad. A polarity therapist would use toning, cranial-sacral therapy, and the spine, joint and core sessions to balance ether.
The air element flows through the pointer fingers, over the inner eyebrows in the middle of the face and all the way down the body to the pointer toe. Air corresponds with the upper torso, the heart chakra, the eyes and the area around the eyes, like the Lone Ranger mask. The heart and lungs, desire and hope, are all centered here. Air also travels from side to side through the body. Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius rule the thoracic cavity, the kidneys and adrenals, and the ankles. They represent respectively the positive, neutral and negative poles. Air in balance is a content, centered, realistic, charitable individual. Rajasic air is lustful, greedy, impatient and pumping up unrealistic expectations. Tamasic is pessimistic, discontent, and immobilized with depression. A sattvic diet and session as well as a diaphragm and heart session can balance the air element.
The fire element rules the middle finger, and travels out and directly over and through the eyes. It goes over the nipples, the middle of the knees, and down to the middle toe. Fire corresponds with stomach, spleen and intestines, liver and gall bladder, the diaphragm and umbilicus and emotions of frustration and anger. Fire also travels from back to front and spirals out from the navel. The zodiac signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius rule the head, the heart, the solar plexus and the thighs. Fire in balance is respectful, insightful and forgiving. Rajasic fire is full of rage, shame and blame and judgment for others. Tamasic is full of the same for themselves and engages in enabling behavior. To balance the fire element bloodless surgery, woodchoppers, easy stretching postures, and a rajasic session are in order.
The water element travels through the ring finger, and along the outside edge of the eye all the way to the ring toe. Water rules the lower abdomen and genitalia. The corresponding zodiac signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces rule respectively the breast, pelvis and feet. Sexuality, and caring as well as feelings of being enmeshed are centered here. Water travels in a straight line from top to bottom. Water in balance is compassionate, nurturing, caring and receptive. Rajasic water is characterized by sex-addiction, passion and charm as well as feeling isolated. Tamasic water is enmeshed, needy, possessive and dependent. To balance this element we will use perineal therapy and the pelvic and/or sacrum session.
The earth element runs through the outside of the little finger and the outside of the face near where the ear starts, all the way down to the little toe. Earth corresponds to the bowels, the rectum and the base of the pelvis. Fear and anxiety are the emotions centered here. Ruled by tamas, when we work on this element we will touch the heels, the sacrum and the occiput. The Earth zodiac signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn rule the neck and throat, the colon and the knees. The balanced earth element is stable, supportive, grounded and accepts his or her limitations. Rajasic earth is defensive, paranoid and hyper-vigilant. The tamasic earth has poor boundaries, is overly sensitive, and is prone to frequent self-doubts. To balance Earth, squatting and the polarity diet are a great place to start. Most of our clients are coming to us to balance the flows that are out of alignment, and diet and exercise are a great place to start.
As well as the chakras and elements, centrifugal and centripetal force is another polarity we will touch on here. Centrifugal force moves outward from the center. It corresponds with rajas, the positive pole, the sun, moving towards the right, masculine energy and stimulation. Its energy is dispersing, red in color and electrical. It covers the back. Centripetal force is opposite to this. It moves from the outside to the inside, corresponding with tamas, the negative pole, the moon, moving toward the left, and feminine energy. Centripetal force is quieting, blue in color, magnetic in its attraction, and covers the front.
Ayurveda
Stone's method encompasses the Ayurvedic blend of yogic principles, specifically Hatha Yoga exercises, and diet. The main aspects of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian health system mostly based on diet and positive attitude, refer to three gunas. They are sattva, rajas and tamas. "Sattva is the illumined balanced clear reality, actually the primordial essence of clear mind, as juxtaposed to rajas, the mind filled with activity or tamas, heavy clouded mind," (Prashanti de Jager, L.A. Yoga, January-February, 2004 p.44.). We can also use the Taoist model of Yin and Yang, Yin, the feminine aspect, corresponding with tamas and Yang, the male aspect, corresponding with rajas, to describe the gunas.
The three gunas are also the basic principles of touch for the practitioner. Sattva is at the neutral pole. It represents "stillness." Sattvic energy is in the center, a very still place where the ultrasonic core and essence connects to Source. This is a calming and balancing touch, firm or soft. Often, the therapist waits for a subtle shift in the hands. Sattvic holds a sacred space, such as the sacred space of the head in the cradling of the neck pose. This is a very trusting pose to be in for both client and therapist, and possibly trance inducing. Awareness sits in the center of the brain among subtle bones and it is critical to open spaciousness here. Eighty percent of this somatic work is in the connection or reconnection between the body and head, because this is where things get jammed up and contract the whole nervous system. Rajas is a warm, positive yang "action." Rajasic touch relates to food, touch, and the environment. This is an expansion, flow, and movement that may coax a certain energy with stimulating and rhythmic touch, through felt sense, such as in the belly rock pose. Sounding may be integrated here. Third, is tamas, the negative, cold yin for "completion." Tamasic touch moves and disperses versus only being held as in sattvic poses. This may be more painful to break up crystallization patterns, such as in the feet, by drawing an imaginary line down the center of the foot bottom. Contractive energy that is deep and penetrating feels denser at this negative pole where the pull of gravity is felt, especially in the feet due to a lack of flow.
Yoga
The squatting posture is the foundation of these yoga exercises. Franklin Sills, Dean of the Polarity Therapy Educational Trust, refers to this as a "return to the fetal position where energies were at a formative stage," (Sills, 1985, p.149). Dr. Stone's new concept of 'polarity yoga' creates a new opportunity for individuals to free habitual stress patterns, energy blockage, and imbalances (Sills, 1985 p.149).
Sound
In the Surat Shabd yoga practice, devotees unite with divine essence through sacred sound, like chanting, toning and repeating mantras. They believe that the universe was created with sound. We know that sound as OM. In reality, the om has three syllables; aah, ooh and mmm. From Be Here Now, A Cookbook For A Sacred Life, by Ram Dass (1971), find a quiet place in nature or the middle of the night. With closed mouth and eyes, aligning the head, neck and chest, get comfortable but not so comfortable that you fall asleep. Concentrate on a sound in your head. Let all other thoughts and sounds fall by the wayside. As this sound grows, it will encompass your whole being until it becomes who you are and you will not hear it anymore. After this, a new sound will emerge. Allow this to happen until you have heard 7-10 distinct sounds. The body is cleansed and renewed through these sounds on a deep sub-conscious level.
Color
Color is used primarily through visualizations in chakra work. By using colors to balance the chakras, a client can experience very simple but profound improvements. Color is easy and fun to work with and can have almost immediate results.
Acupuncture
Dr. Stone also studied acupuncture and the way it describes the pathways where energy travels throughout the human anatomy (meridians). In polarity we work to balance sattva, rajas and tamas, the meridians, the seven chakras and the five elements of ether, air, fire, water and earth. These concepts are incorporated into Stone's Wireless Anatomy, Five-Pointed Star, Six-Pointed Star and other original energy maps which uniquely describe the movement of energy in the human form. Somatic therapies, like polarity are those that address the relationship of mind, body and spirit, realizing that when one aspect is unbalanced, it will undoubtedly impact the others in a compromising fashion. We cannot afford to ignore the connection between them if we want to achieve wholeness.
Triune
This polarity also affects the Universal Energy of the triune of spirit, mind, and body. Spirit is at the top, where consciousness of the individual resides, and trickles down into the mind, as energy becomes denser, slowly turning into matter. In the mind is our thought body, the mental, right thinking, and permeates everywhere in the soma body. Emotions are lower, a felt sensation on this ladder of the triune, where one feels heart emanation, and chemical release from the mind. This is where material expression occurs when the neuropeptides clear. At the bottom is true density in the physical body. This is a different felt sensation than in emotion where one works with intentional energy and supportive movement. Being present, in the here and now, to experience everything, and being in the whole experience, is sacred to this practice. Every cell is a connection to the whole and polarity therapy uses conscious touch with this awareness, integrating this triune of energy and matter. All of these affect the other, and cycle through one another.
Self-Maintenance In Polarity Therapy
Toning, energy exercises, and an alkaline building diet are very effective ways to harness the limitless energy that is available to all of us. Centering, using sound, color, breathing and energy exercises are ways to click into the areas of the brain that control function and give ourselves back the power to be happy that we sometimes give away. Those who choose to incorporate the polarity diet or exercises into a health building regimen will be able to do so with a minimum amount of fuss. Simple exercises can be done anywhere, any time, for a maximum amount of energy.
Chakra Toning
Chakra toning is a sound exercise. Use color visualizations with tones for balancing chakra energies. Repeat each tone aloud three times in a row using the out-breaths, while simultaneously visualizing the colors swirling through the chakra area. (You may want to close your eyes for maximum effect.)
Start by breathing in deeply through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Use the tone Lam for the first or root chakra, the perineum. Visualize bright ruby red swirling through the perineal chakra while you tone with the out-breath three times.
Vam - for the second chakra, the genitalia to belly button, visualize bright orange. Ram - third chakra, solar plexus to belly button, visualize bright sunshine yellow. Yam - fourth chakra, the heart, visualize emerald green. Ham - fifth chakra, the throat, visualize lapis lazuli blue. Kisham - sixth chakra, the third eye, visualize amethyst violet. Om - seventh chakra, the crown, bright white light straight from the heavens through the crown, beaming light through all chakras down to the root. Remember, there are really three syllables, aah, ooh, and mmm.
Energy Exercises
Energy exercises are a quick way to feel better. One does not need to be in great shape to start these exercises. They are designed to be used by anyone desiring greater flexibility and strength, and more energy to get them through their day. There are eight techniques used: lengthening, pressure, activation, breathing, energy balancing, differentiation and, of course, sound. Naturally, they are all based on Dr. Stone's work with anatomy. First and foremost, Dr. Stone believed firmly in squatting. He believed it was the best posture for elimination and regulating the body, mind and subtle energies simultaneously. If possible, all exercise sessions should begin and end with at least three minutes in the squat. If it is difficult to attain at first, try hanging on to a doorknob for support. Keep practicing until it comes easily, three to five minutes at a stretch, arms folded over bent knees, buttocks off the floor. Use a pillow or folded blanket under the heels if they do not reach the floor. Most tribal societies use this posture for elimination and eating and have no back or digestive problems. Dr. Stone started doing this exercise at age 64, so anyone can do it.
My personal favorite, a quick energizer, is the windshield wiper. Start by lying face down on the floor with the head on the hands, knees bent. Allow the feet to fall to the floor. Now raise the feet back up, crossing them back and forth. Do this for three or four minutes until you feel completely energized. Another simple exercise, the pyramid, activates all pathways of energy in the body. Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders, hands on your thighs. Your fingers will be outside, thumbs inside, right above the knees. Now try to shift your weight to your shoulders. When you can do this successfully, gently pulse up and down and/or side to side. You will feel a stretch everywhere. Some variations on this exercise include doing the exercise in a chair with a pillow underneath the bottom. This works particularly well with seniors or those with decreased mobility. When you get relaxed in the pyramid posture, you can try doing the spinal twist. Just twist easily, allowing the spine to elongate in both directions.
Polarity Diet
The polarity diet is designed to alkalize the body. A great cleansing tool, it eliminates unnecessary acid-forming foods and replaces them with wholesome alternatives. It should be done at least a week at a time for maximum results. It is not meant to be used indefinitely for weight loss, although weight loss may occur. It is a great way to eliminate allergens and toxins, and discover new health building ways to relate to food. Most of the blocks you will have in following this diet will be psychological. Unhealthy patterns can be identified and processed if desired. Try not to identify too personally with cravings or other distractions. They are not your higher self. "A fast for the ego and a feast for the spirit," (Burger, p.349).
Mostly you will be thrilled with the amount of energy and "joie de vivre" you access when you give up your regular dietary habits. There is no dairy, soy, wheat, caffeine, fried food, starchy vegetables, or anything canned, frozen or otherwise not freshly prepared on this diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, raw, steamed or baked are the basis of your polarity diet. Make yourself a delicious fresh raw salad, use olive oil and lemon for a wonderful refreshing alternative to heavier dressings. Fresh herbs and spices can be added for variety and flavor. Soups can be made combining as many yummy ingredients as you can imagine. Use your imagination and you will not be bored for a minute with this diet.
Start your day with your polarity cleansing tea and a liver flush cocktail. You will wait at least two hours before taking your lunch of fresh fruits and/or vegetables. A fresh salad can be taken for lunch. It should include grated carrot and beet which are good for digestion and elimination. Steamed veggies, vegetable soup or baked veggies make dinner. Up to 4 soaked almonds may be added twice daily.
Sprouts
Unless you have a great local source of fresh sprouts, before you start this diet at home you will want to familiarize yourself with sprouting nuts and seeds. Basically all you will need is a glass jar and a screen over it for rinsing, available at any health food store. You will soak your beans and seeds overnight, and rinse them in the morning. Then rinse twice a day they will be ready in a few days. Get these started a few days in advance and you will be glad you did.
Liver Flush Cocktail
In the blender:
3-4 tablespoons cold pressed olive or almond oil
the juice of one peeled organic lemon
the juice of one organic grapefruit
1or 2 medium size cloves of garlic
1 inch-long piece of fresh ginger root
this is a great eye-opener, you will be surprised how much you will like it!
blend in blender, this is your morning meal.
Make sure to follow with Polarity Cleansing Tea:
add to boiling water equal amounts of ginger root
anise or fennel seed
fenugreek seed
flax seed and twice as much licorice root.
Simmer for twenty minutes, remove from heat and add peppermint. Serve with lemon and fresh ginger juice. At least 8 ounces should be taken with liver flush and as much as needed throughout the day.
Alkaline Foods:
Fruits: apple, blackberry, cantaloupe, cherry, fig, grapefruit, huckleberry, kumquat, lemon, lime, mango, nectarine, orange, papaya, pear, peach, pineapple, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry, tangerine, watermelon.
Vegetables: beets and greens, broccoli, burdock, cabbage (all), carrot, cauliflower, celery, chives, collards, cucumber, eggplant, endive, escarole, fennel, green beans, kale, kelp, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, okra, onion, parsley, peas (fresh only), peppers, rutabaga, spinach, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip and greens, watercress, zucchini.
Young Greens: buckwheat, barley, sunflower, wheat.
Grains (sprouted only): amaranth, buckwheat, millet, quinoa.
Nuts and Seeds (sprouted only): alfalfa, almonds, fenugreek, radish, red clover, sunflower.
Beans (sprouted only): aduki, mung.
Oils: flax oil, olive oil, almond oil.
Allergens
Another most important aspect of the diet is coming off it gently. If you do so it will give you a chance to discover which foods you are allergic to. The following is the suggested transitional diet to do your allergy testing:
Cleansing Withdrawal Plan
Day one
Breakfast
Warm lemon water first thing
Simple grain, millet or quinoa
Vegetable miso soup
Lunch
Grain
Simple veggie
Salad
Dinner
Simple veggie soup
Simple veggie
Allergy test for yeast, honey, and eggs over these few days by adding one food at a time to your meals and gauging your reactions carefully. Signs of food allergy include energy lulls, pain anywhere, feeling over-emotional or anxious.
Day two
Warm lemon water
Cornmeal
Veggie miso soup
Or yogurt
Lunch
Brown rice
Veggie miso soup
Simple veggie
Salad
Dinner
Simple dhal
Basmati rice
Chapatti
Simple veggie
Day three
Warm lemon water
Porridge of any grain you've already had
Veggie miso soup or yogurt
Lunch
Simple grain
Simple veggie
Salad
Miso soup
Dinner
Bread
Tofu
Simple soup
Simple veggie
Day four
Go gently on your system, adding anything that may be allergenic very carefully. The most common allergens are soy, wheat, corn, dairy, and yeast. Be especially careful with nuts. Congratulate yourself for doing a wonderful job of cleansing and nourishing your body!
Holographic Repatterning
Stone's work continues to be taught and studied worldwide, and has evolved in other directions, since his passing in 1981. The future of polarity therapy is continually evolving as we practice it. Holographic Repatterning is the most recent modality of healing employing Stone's precepts, taking healing to new levels. Chloe Faith Wordsworth created Holographic Repatterning, a new healing modality based on many of Dr. Stone's teachings. Using kinesiology or muscle checking, we use our body's own responses to determine patterns of coherence (holding together well) or incoherence (when things fall apart). "Holographic Repatterning is a process you can do on yourself and others to create a higher state of coherence, a higher state of energy, harmony and success in all areas of your life." The basics of Holographic Repatterning are orientation, turning problems into opportunities, intentions for new possibilities, and learning modalities to work with those energies.
11 Types Of Bodywork Sessions
- Sattvic session
- Rajasic session
- Tamasic session
- Foot Reflexology session
- Core session
- Spine session
- Perineal session
- Pelvic session
- Sacrum session
- Diaphragm and heart session
- Joint session.
The most important thing to remember when using polarity for healing is that all poles must be activated to achieve balance. We cannot use the positive pole and ignore the negative pole or vice-versa. The neutral pole must also be acknowledged and touched gently for true balance.
Sattva is the neutral guna of polarity therapy. Gunas "describes spiraling fields of resonance which are the highest essence out of which manifestation arises," (Burger, page 40). Sattva corresponds with the element of air and the east-west currents arising from the ultrasonic core which integrate our outer senses and parasympathetic nervous system "fostering deep relaxation, meditative and ecstatic states."
The sattvic session can always be used to balance energy for any reason. It promotes inner tranquility especially for those experiencing shock or trauma from outside events. A great way to mellow out and recharge the batteries, the sattvic session is always appropriate. You can do no harm with it. "Stillness, a gentle touch, soothing movements, and balancing contacts activate the life essence of Sattvic vibration." These loving contacts made in stillness touch the very soul of the client and eliminate pain carried on all currents. The whole central and parasympathetic nervous system benefits from this soothing session. Anyone can do this. However, it requires great sensitivity and a gentle touch, a willingness to be available emotionally, and an unselfish desire to help another. If you possess these qualities why not try it on a friend?
The first movement in any session is making hand and eye contact with the client. Hold a heart-centered intention for their well-being and higher self on all levels, spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. Ask what their healing goals for the session are. At this point, call in any spirit guides or higher powers, to make the most of your time with your client. Next, have the client lie on the massage table with the head facing due north or northeast, left hand over the heart. At this time let the client know that if for any reason he or she is uncomfortable with any contact you will stop immediately.
Take pulses at the carotid artery and the flexor longus hallucis, a small depression on the inside of the ankle. Feel for imbalance, and use your intuition for this. The session then starts at the head with a gentle, quiet heart cradle, hands crossed right above left at the occiput. The skull is cradled in the palm and the air fingers (refer to Wireless Anatomy section for finger correspondence information) parallel the vagus nerve, the tenth cranial nerve, right below the carotid artery. This nexus of mental and emotional impulses, also known as the reptile brain, is the center of all nerve impulses in the body. Hold here gently until you feel a subtle change in energies.
With the next hold, quiet mind cradle, the left hand is above the third eye, fire and water fingers contact the third eye directly. Earth and air fingers over the supraorbital ridge, thumb at the fontanel. Then, headache cradle: left palm is a finger's width above the forehead with right hand cradling occipital, air and fire fingers spreading the occiput (this is great for discomfort due to indigestion as it balances the fire principle.) Continue balancing the fire principle by allowing the left palm to touch directly on the forehead at its center, right palm gently rocking navel. Allow at least six seconds to pass, holding but not rocking, before going down to the feet for stimulating core reflexes at the flexor longus hallucis. Begin gently, holding lightly until client feels tingling or warmth. Place all ten fingers on client's individual toes, chakra toning with the client, encouraging him or her to participate in toning or at least visualizing colors.
In order to balance from above to below, and within to without, practice the five-pointed star move, starting with gentle rocking of client's right shoulder with left hand, gently holding right hand on right hip. Wait at least six seconds after rocking to move left hand to client's left shoulder, rocking shoulder gently, wait another six seconds holding gently, then right hand on left hip, rocking gently. Wait, then move left air finger to chin (in depression), holding gently. Balancing long currents at the positive pole, bring attention and hands to the top of the head, holding thumb and fingers spread out across the forehead. At this point, ask the client where he or she would like to focus major healing energy. Then gently place the tips of (etheric) thumbs gently at ear openings. Practitioner and client together imagine diamond white light straight from heaven piercing through the third eye and the skull cavity all the way down the spine and shining brightly through any special areas. The client will help with this visualization while both tone "Ah" together.
The final cradle at the head, to balance the mind, no small task, will be from the sages of old. Earth fingers (pinkies) at the jaw, water fingers (ring) at the mouth, fire fingers (middle) at the nose, air fingers (pointers) at the third eye and thumbs (etheric) lined up with the core. While client is still relaxed on the table, re-check pulses. When client is ready, have him or her sit up slowly and gently brush off the entire aura. To break contact, silently bless the client, acknowledging new-found healing, while brushing the back of the aura, with right hand crossing over to be on the client's left, receptive side on the back, to achieve a nice balance of polarities. There is no need to cross over in the aura on the front. Give your client a nice, big hug. When client leaves, don't forget to wash your arms and hands immediately in cold water, to neutralize any leftover energy.
Rajas is the expression of the positive mind through consciously directed activity. Corresponding with the fire principle, the positive pole is at the brow center, neutral pole at the umbilicus and first phalange of the air finger, and negative pole at the first phalange of the air toe. It then spirals outward from the umbilicus, radiating vitality out to the musculature and vital organs. The rajasic session is used to balance the fire element when a client has trouble with anger, either at the self or directed at others. Also, if there are problems with digestion, this session can work wonders.
Tamas Guna is negative, corresponding mostly with elimination. When a client is ready for elimination of stuck energy, contacts and techniques are used which facilitate emotional clearing. The tamasic session is used to eliminate negative feelings and/or trauma stored in the body. It is most effectively used with a client who is fully ready to release/integrate these stuck energies. If the client is emotionally unstable, and does not have inner resources, a sattvic session would be more appropriate.
Some contacts may be initially painful, but ultimately beneficial. The central intention of polarity therapy is to create and hold a safe, sacred place to process any issues which may arise. The client is allowed to experience his or her full range of feelings, being fully supported in knowing it is okay to do so. For some clients, the session may be their first time accessing these feelings in a safe place with a caring individual. However, tamas refers to elimination. Rather than focusing on past hurts, elimination of the need for the body to hang on to painful memories is the intention. Releasing gracefully enables the client to move forward. One to four tamasic contacts is plenty for any healing session.
Foot Reflexology: "Truly the whole body can be reached and benefited through the feet," (Randolph Stone, pg. 62). In this treatment a bi-polar application is used, utilizing positive and negative energy to access the holographic energy form of the body, at the tamasic pole. Dr. Stone emphasizes that we are not just rubbing at the sore spots, we want to polarize each contact made on this sensitive area. When we release stored tamasic energy, we make way for rajas, or action to take place.
Core session the core is defined as sacrum, spine, cranium, reproductive organs and bone marrow, and the energy that circulates throughout. Resonating with the element of ether, corresponding with the big toe and thumb. Release of the ultrasonic core through contacting the sphenoid, occiput and shoulders as the positive pole, spinal nerves and plexuses as the neutral pole, and sacrum, ganglion of impar, glutei and Achilles tendon and heel as negative pole. Revitalizing overall, great for digestion, this helps the client to feel better inside and open up spiritually.
Spine session can produce amazing results in fifteen minutes. Using Dr. Stone's spinal balance assessment, find the sore spots on the back and where they correspond to other points. Sattvic and rajasic contacts are made and held while using toning to great effect.
Perineal session. The muscles of the perinieum are like a hammock attached to the sacrum, basically all the muscles between the pubic arch and the coccyx. Considered to be the negative pole of the sympathetic, parasympathetic and autonomous nervous systems, treatment of this area has a profound healing effect on all systems. Especially useful for regulating cerebrospinal fluid, which is essential for all bodily functions, the perineal session is recommended for any emotional responses of "inadequacy, fear and resentment," (Stone, pg. 83). throat and neck problems, and problems associated with sexual dysfunction or trauma. It works on the energy level where energy moves from spirit into the body.
Pelvic session aligns the sacrum and the negative field of the five-pointed star, key to structural integration in the body.
Sacrum session can realign the pelvis under the right circumstances.
Diaphragm/heart session aids in circulation of oxygen, fluids, and energies. Balancing the thymus gland is done here.
Joint Session helps increase flexibility, and releases stagnant energies in these areas.
The Polarity Practitioner
It takes 700 hours to become a practitioner and the reading materials are very layered, requiring time to simmer. The polarity practitioner holds a safe and sacred healing place for the client, who is soothed, and able to experience a full range of emotions in a supportive, nurturing environment. Sometimes that safe place is all that is needed for the client to address his/her issues. What is unique about polarity is that it can be tailored to individual sessions, according to client needs. Through simple diagnostic tools, like pulse reading and body mechanics, we are able to treat energy flows. It is only because Stone was able to map these predictable energy patterns around and through the human form, that we are able to access these personal energy flows. Creating balance, for greater health and harmony, is the main goal of the polarity practitioner.
A typical session lasts between 60-90 minutes. An individual benefits from hands-on work and postures through quality of movement, touch, environment and energy. The focus here is on hands-on work by a practitioner on the client as a joint effort. The more relaxed and receptive the hands of the therapist are to take energy in, the more inclined is the therapist to help the client to help themselves.
The position of the therapist's hands is important in every healing position assumed. The positive, negative and neutral poles of the client must also align with the practitioner's own positive and negative energies. This understanding, along with compassion, is essential for this work to be truly effective. When compassion and true understanding meet in the heart and hands of a trained polarity therapist, magic can and does happen.
Learning how energy moves, what keeps it moving, and how it is digested and processed, as quick shifts take place in mood and polarity, are key observations. Healing consists of coming into alignment, into 'right relationship', and once that place is found, things open up effortlessly.
Therapist-client boundaries may be flexible or non-negotiable and may be about safety, health, or time. There is a need to run self-checks before entering into relationship with a client, to better discern individual boundaries. A self-check might include the therapist closing his/her eyes, and connecting with felt sensations and breath grounding first before any client contact.
Guidelines
Following are guidelines for the therapist when interacting with a client during a session:
- In making contact with the client, receive energy before palpating by simply bringing awareness to the client's energy field. Create and recite a brief prayer of intention within as the therapist before entering the client space. For example, "I'm here between Heaven and Earth to be with (client's name) for the highest good of us all." The therapist acknowledges to the client, "I am entering your space now."
- There is no intention of healing the other, only taking in energy, and allowing it to flow.
- Once the therapist enters into relationship, it is critical to find out where the client is at in his or her life. Find out what the client wants to heal. Usually, a conversation will take place prior to entering into the client's energy field and applying hands-on work. This dialogue reflects a possible mirror where subtle shifts will already begin taking place before any hands-on work.
- Rubbing the hands together to generate heat and energy is an excellent technique to use at the start of a session. The hand has thousands of nerve endings, and is very sensitive to contacting and experiencing energy fields.
- The therapist honors and feels the energy field to find where to stand and recognizes the distinct boundaries between what is hers and the client's experience, which will more than likely be two very different view points. Layers of resistance are sensed and felt, where moments are taken to stop and share verbally what is going on for the client and/or therapist in that moment. Sometimes the therapist cannot touch the client until the boundary of space is negotiated.
- The energy is held in a way that creates a container and shapes the space. I have felt this many times and it is an awesome feeling in particular, in relation with another, by being the client or the practitioner. In demonstrating, the therapist walks around the client's body while she or he is laying on the table, and runs his or her hands over the client's body to sense and feel the energy field. This is a first step in locating a point of entry to "hook up" to the client and begin the poses, holds, and physical interaction through touch and energy shifts.
- Often, the therapist will describe and mirror back sensations, temperature, colors, images, words, phrasings, metaphors, impressions, texture, energy flow, and movement of energy as questions posed to the client in non-attached statements that may or may not resonate for the client.
- Everything is client-referred, and the client is continually asked questions posed by the therapist: "Are you sensing anything?" "What is your experience now?" "Where do you feel something in your body?" "Are you making any connections?"
- The pair is in consistent communication by touch and energy, even through silences.
- The wisdom is inside the individual, and energy responds to this wisdom.
During a session, it is crucial for the therapist's awareness to balance his or her own issues, supporting personal internal shifts, as well as the client's. For example, the use of metaphor connects the body area to the client, and opens up the somatic layers. In closing and leaving the client's energy field and space, a communication to the client prior to leaving is imperative, with the therapist saying something similar to "I'm going to come out of your space now and from the periphery to say to oneself as the therapist "thank you for the process and energies around" to close out the client-therapist container and come into your own intentional space.
Sometimes emotions come up, and the therapist needs to be attentive, and ready to be with them without any agenda, reflecting back to the client what is perceived. It is crucial to repeat what is said by the client so that the therapist hears it exactly for possible correction and keeping awareness heightened. It is a very unique experience to hear what one has said because we don't go through life hearing feedback very often, and this alone shifts energy, specifically when a theme is repeated during a session. Emotion has qualities in our energy bodies where stuck things are held. Creating more space within the Self in larger ways gets these areas moving again, breaks up the stagnant into being fluid and vital. Sounding is another tool that opens and releases energy by encouraging the client to take a deep breath with the therapist and releasing sound with the exhale and a possible sigh. This brings different things to people, at times relief and release of energy. Overall, there is not much coaxing of energy, only the receiving, other than in perhaps rajasic touch. Again, the energy is directed by client-reference, when asked to reflect on what is felt and sensed and to repeat "what is that?" In Polarity Therapy, it is imperative to let the session be an experience of "being present with" the client. What the therapist experiences is different from the client's perspective and this is okay.
Training And Centers
The National Polarity Therapy Association (NPTA) has registered Polarity Therapy Centers throughout the USA. There are training intensives in locations such as Hawaii and Costa Rica; some are three week excursions. These increase hours toward licensure for the 700 hours required.
There are also many local teachers facilitating classes and workshops all over the country. Check with your local papers, newsletters, and metaphysical centers to find out about your local polarity therapy teachers and practitioners.
My Personal Experience
My main information is based on an all-day workshop I attended, and a one hour private session, both with polarity therapist Zorka Grigorov. Zorka mainly teaches and practices in Los Angeles and Switzerland.
In my first experience of receiving a polarity session, I was very nervous. I had no idea what to expect. This practice was a total mystery, an unknown, and I felt uninformed in a way I haven't before with other practices. The session began with a mirroring conversation that at first annoyed me and made me uneasy. I finally realized that I had rushed to be there and needed to slow down. I became calmer once I was on the table. Still, I had no idea what to expect and had to let go and trust in the process that was about to unfold. A sacred space was held.
I didn't remember everything that occurred by the end of the hour. It seemed like a long journey and somewhat blurred. I felt a sense of the energy current similar yet not the same thing as meridian and acupressure points. There was a distinct channel in and of its own in the wireless anatomy model. When the therapist placed her hands under me, I was on my back, and she lightly pressed my right gluteus. There was incredible soreness and pain on my right gluteus unbeknownst to me before. This was along a definitely different source of energy than I have experienced before in acupressure and acupuncture. What stood out was a moment of tears that released in a steady stream from deep within my core being. Something shifted for me then. By the end of this session, I was talking about "carving out my space," and even did some dancing gestures in the air with my legs and arms. Part of my theme for the day was sharing about my natural rhythm. I felt that my interior life wasn't matching my exterior, and I wanted to feel natural and flow in my body. Also, there was a self claiming and speaking out, verbalizing that I am an Artist-Healer, Healer-Artist, that I haven't done before. I've written about it, and saying it helped me profoundly to be with it. I was clear about our distinct boundaries as people. That night I had the most intense dream, and I believe this is in direct relation to the polarity work of that day, as the symbolism was very revealing.
During the Sunday workshop, there was a gradual lightening of my energy, a feeling of things lifting away, and by the end of the day, which was full of several hands-on experiences, I felt very peaceful and soft, more so in my body than I'd experienced previously. There was a gentleness that reflects other sensory awareness experiences that bring me back to my own nourishing space in keeping myself "fluffed," aired out, and meeting my own personal needs from moment to moment in my sensory experience.
The following weekend at an all day workshop, the teacher said, "Don't do this work if you're not ready for change!" My life began changing dramatically that week. I got a new car, and hadn't had one in four years, I left my job, tailor-made several versions of my resume, which I had been putting off, and received numerous positive responses, more than I have received in recent years. A total reframe of life threw me topsy-turvy, even though I knew that I was moving back into healthy alignment from a misalignment I did not know how to repolarize.
I started feeling more socially integrated than I had for some time, and I felt something had lifted, a barrier. Everything became blindingly brilliant. My future awaited. I felt open to be myself, get in touch with everyone, and maintain consistent communications in my personal and professional life. Something clicked for me. A light went on. Something shifted from blocking my view to clearing it up. I've gotten more ordered in the home, and cleared up some physical spaces, which are a great daily mirror.
I enjoy the format of how touch is integrated intimately without the confusion massage alone may give off between being therapeutic and sensual. Polarity therapy clarifies this boundary for me as a healer in regard to being present with a client. It offers relief on my part as a potential therapist to know it is not up to me to "fix" anybody. This protocol is in keeping with a basic philosophy I believe in, that each individual is able to respond to and be responsible for his or her own health and healing process. This matches my own personal healing journey, and the knowledge that there are many energies at work. I have felt these energies in my own healing when I was previously at a loss as to how to describe and communicate. I felt terribly misunderstood for so long in my attempts at receiving healing. Polarity therapy provides a sense of advocacy for the client while maintaining sensory awareness and control by the client. The therapist is a traveling companion on the path of healing with the client, with an intention to be present and listen, which is what most people seem to be craving in our modern society today.
Personally and professionally, I received tremendous benefit from my intimate experience in the realm of polarity therapy, and I consider this a stepping-stone to delving more deeply into the heart of this practice. I encourage others to carve out their own path with these concepts. I envision that people are able to take these ideas and integrate them on their own in their daily lives as a type of "feng shui" for the body-mind and unifying energy fields. Thus, polarity therapy embodies quantum physics as a living energy system, applicable to body-mind health and well-being for the interested individual, and for the highest good of the client.
Bibliography
Sills, F. 1989 The Polarity Process: Energy As A Healing Art. Element Books Limited; Boston, MA
Stone, R. 1985 Health Building: The Conscious Art Of Living Well. CRCS Publications; Sebastopol, CA
Grigorov, Zorka (workshop)
American Polarity Therapy Association 2003 www.polaritytherapy.org