Polarity
Therapy
by Katharina Wehrli
Polarity Therapy is a natural health care
system based on the human energy field. The undisturbed flow and balance
of the electromagnetic energy in and around the body is the basis for
health and well being on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.
Blocked currents and disharmony in the energy field result in
manifestations of tension, pain, disease or illness. With Polarity Therapy
the blockages and restrictions are cleared. The client's energy field is
restored to its natural state of balance. The result manifests as a
release of holding patterns on mind body levels. The client's system gains
an opportunity to return to its inherent fluid state.
Polarity Therapy incorporates body work
including reflexology, gentle and firm touch, energy exercises, diet, and
open communication facilitating self awareness. Factors such as
environment, attitudes, relationships, life experience and trauma affect
the functioning of the human energy field. The Polarity practitioner
assesses a client's energy system with tools such as skilled observation,
communication and palpation. Polarity Therapy is very compatible also with
Craniosacral Therapy , and the two can
easily be practiced within the same body work session.
Since Polarity Therapy involves such a
broad spectrum, it interfaces with the practice of many therapeutic
disciplines. It is an adjunct, but never a substitute for supervised
medical care. Polarity Therapy has been useful with conditions such as
allergies, arthritis, asthma, burn out, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome,
circulatory problems, depression, digestive disorders, emotional trauma,
fibromyalgia, headache, health maintenance, hormonal imbalances,
infertility, inflammation, injury, insomnia, major life changes,
menopausal symptoms, menstrual disorders, neuralgia, PMS, pre and post
surgery, pregnancy and post partum, sciatica, skin disorders, spiritual
growth, stress management and stress related symptoms.
A typical Polarity session will take
between 60 and 90 minutes. During the body work the client will stay fully
clothed except for the shoes. Due to the subtle character of this
work it may take a client time to get used to what he/she senses. The
practitioner encourages the client to stay tuned to the ongoing experience
of his/her energy sensations. This might include tingling, expansion,
wavelike or push/pull movements, heat or cold sensations.
The results of a Polarity Therapy session
may bring a sense of deep relaxation, relief from specific symptoms,
clarity or new insight. Sometimes the condition a client initially seeks
treatment for may not be the first thing that changes. The effects of
Polarity Therapy are cumulative, and it may be necessary to arrange for a
series of sessions. The time span over which a client comes for regular
sessions is unlimited. It depends only on the needs of the individual
client. The protocols followed vary a great deal, and depend upon the
practitioner's assessment and competence, style and intuition, and again
on the client's needs. This open ended process shapes the
client/practitioner relationship in a distinctive way. The fact is that
when the client is ready, the necessary transformation occurs. Healing and
profound change cannot be controlled by any practitioner nor client alike.
It happens by the Grace of the Universe, granted to those practitioners
and clients who humbly seek it.
The Origin of Polarity Therapy
Polarity Therapy was founded by Dr.
Randolph Stone a practicing physician of Osteopathy, Chiropractic and
Naturopathic Medicine. It is the result of working with patients over a
period of 60 years. Polarity Therapy is a successful synthesis of eastern
and western therapeutic disciplines. The ancient healing art of Ayurveda
as well as the Chinese tradition of Acupuncture are integrated into this
unique system. Dr. Stone applied his energy approach in his practice with
patients exhibiting a wide range of symptoms. His remarkable success with
patients lead him to continue his research and studies. Starting in the
late forties he published several books, and began teaching in 1960. When
Dr. Stone retired he moved to India where he continued his practice in a
free health clinic. His extraordinary vitality was a tribute to his health
building methods and his teachings.
Today Polarity Therapy is taught
internationally. The American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA) sets
standards for practice, and accredited schools. Upon completion of all
requirements fully trained Polarity practitioners apply with APTA for the
professional status of Registered Polarity Practitioner (RPP).
The Five Elements
An important aspect of the energy approach
in Polarity Therapy relates to a concept the ancient Vedic philosophy from
India calls the five Tattvas. It is a theory based on the five elements
ether, air, fire, water and earth. As energy moves from the Source into
physical form it follows a step down process from the subtle to the denser
forms of the manifested Universe. This is where energy expresses itself
through the five elements of our physical reality. This gradual process
from the subtle to the denser patterns is found in all life forms.
The following is an attempt to describe how
the Tattvas may be experienced in everyday living.
Approximately two thirds of the human body
consists of water. It makes sense to consider that to some degree our
existence has the qualities of water. Another percentage of the human body
is solid tissue, such as the bones, organs or nails, hair and teeth. This
percentage then can be considered earth. We are also breathing air, and
have a circulatory system. Our heart is in constant motion. You could
safely say the we are to some extent made of air. Without a fairly steady
body temperature we are definitely not alive. The warmth generated by our
body is what gives us good candidacy for fire.
One can apply the same principles on a
mental/emotional level. Some days you may have so many thoughts that it is
hard to concentrate. This is when the air element has taken the upper hand
in you. Air is quick, like the mind, always in motion.
Another time you may have good ideas. You
may start this or that project, but find a week later that you seem to be
unable to carry any of them to completion. This is when you realize that
you had a close encounter with the fire element. Fire likes to expand, yet
it burns out quickly without consideration for what is left behind.
Some other day everything seems to be a
drag. You end up with the tying of loose ends, but the more you get done,
the clearer you see that you have to invest another day or two to work the
issue through. It feels depressing. This is a day water and earth elements
have taken over. Just like on a rainy day you may get stuck in the mud,
and you have to struggle to get out. Water always flows to the lowest
point. This isn't all bad, because it forces us to look for ways to work
things out, to get to the bottom of it. The earth supports the water, but
if too much of it is mixed with water, it becomes heavy and drags us down.
If on the other hand there isn't enough
earth available, you may find yourself flooded with feelings. Without
appropriate earthy boundaries the water is everywhere. We drown in the
emotional turmoil of circumstances that life presents to us from time to
time.
Ether is space, the element that gives rise
and integrates the other four elements. If too much is present in a
person's system, he/she becomes ungrounded, "spaced out". Sleep
disturbances or difficulties with communication are two of the other
symptoms that closely relate to an imbalance involving the element of
ether.
Many different combinations of elements and
elemental imbalances are possible. They all have certain characteristics a
trained Polarity practitioner is equipped to identify and work with.
Elemental imbalances in a client are addressed with specific body work
protocols, nutritional guidelines and energy exercises.
The Interrelatedness of Polarity Therapy
Another way to gain insight into the
element dynamics at play is to consult the ancient divination of Astrology
. Through the planets, the zodiac signs and the house system Astrology
works closely with the elements.
Every element is linked also to a color.
The color system of Aura-Soma offers yet an additional avenue toward
balancing the whole person.
Last but not least, the elements are
attributes to the chakra system related to the yogic philosophies. This
system is used extensively also in Polarity Therapy. Chakras are energetic
relay stations of the human energy system. They aid in transforming and
distributing the subtler, higher energy frequencies into denser and slower
ones. Every element expresses itself through the vibrational frequency of
a specific chakra. The ancient discipline of Kundalini
Yoga incorporates techniques to balance the chakras.
Each of the above methods supports the
inherent wisdom and healing capacity of the body mind continuum. Practiced
in synergistic relationship, it is possible to address the challenges of
health and illness from a diversity of standpoints. This approach is
unsurpassed by any single method.
____________________
Katharina Wehrli has been involved in the Healing Arts and Holistic Health
since 1977,
Katharina Wehrli can be reached by calling:
(508) 651-2648, emailing: info@earthlit.com,
or visiting her website: www.earthlit.com.
Her office is located at 6 Lakeview Road, Wayland, MA 01778.
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