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ACROSAGE - This combination of massage, yoga, and acrobatics was developed by Benjamin Marantz. The client is placed in an inverted pose atop the acrosager's feet, their head hanging freely. With no pressure on the neck or spine, the client's more difficult points can be easily massaged.
ACTIVE RELEASE THERAPY (ART) - A combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness, and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements treats abnormal tissues.
ACUPRESSURE - Ancient healing art that uses fingers to stimulate key points along the meridians to activate the healing response. Acupressure and Acupuncture use the same points but acupressure does not use needles. Symptoms are considered an expression of the condition of the body as a whole. (Holding a point on your foot may assist in relieving a digestive problem.) It is believed that tension in the muscles blocks the flow of energy (chi) not only in the muscles, but also in the associated internal organs.
ACUPUNCTURE - Incorporates an ancient wisdom with a comprehensive system for diagnosis and treatment. This system originated many thousands of years ago in China, and the earliest written source found dates back to the 2nd century B.C. The philosophy of acupuncture centers on the body's ability for self-healing and the continuous flow of Qi (Chi) -- life's energy. Chi relates to specific organs and moves along pathways called meridians. Diagnosis includes traditional medicine along with pulse and tongue diagnosing. Each pulse relates to a specific internal organ. Needles are used to treat restricted flow of Qi. The goal of treatment is to have the individual balanced in body, mind, and spirit, which correspond to life's natural rhythms.
ACU-YOGA - is a system of exercises integrating the knowledge of two holistic methods of health maintenance - acupressure and yoga. Both relax muscular tension and balance the vital life forces of the body. Yoga does this through controlling the breath while holding the body in certain postures. Acupressure does this by directly manipulating body energy through a system of points and meridians. Each Acu-Yoga posture naturally presses and stretches certain nerves, muscles and acupressure points, awakening the meridians and releasing the tension in the points so that energy (chi) can circulate freely. This energy is the source of all life, and its flow is the key to radiant health. The process balances the body and stimulates it to heal itself.
AI CHI (FLOWING AQUATIC ENERGY) - Ai chi is a water exercise and relaxation program, created by Jun Konno, to help aquatic practitioners and students enjoy the water in a flowing, yet powerful progression. Ai chi, created by combining t'ai chi concepts with shiatsu and Watsu techniques, is performed standing in shoulder-depth water using a combination of deep breathing and slow, broad movements of the arms, legs and torso. The ai chi progression moves from simple breathing to upper extremity movement to movement of the trunk, and finally to lower extremity movement. Ai chi promotes relaxation, stability and coordinated breathing. It improves flexibility, mobility and strength, and it will animate the mind as well as the body.
ALCHEMICAL SYNERGY - Developed by Kamala Renner, Alchemical Synergy is a process of evolving universal energy patterns and is used as a holistic counseling system that focuses on achieving transformation by utilizing the universal four forces of centripetal, centrifugal, gravity, and electromagnetics - the consciousness portion of the Big Bang theory relative to the beginning of the universe. Centripetal controls all inward movement, allowing us to go inside to observe and reconnect with our inner world that contains knowledge of all that is natural for us as an individual. Centrifugal controls all outward movement, allowing interaction of the consciousness with the surroundings and other people. Centripetal and centrifugal are duality and control all activity that depends on yin/yang, negative/positive balance for its existence. Gravity regulates the action of centripetal and centrifugal to ensure universal balance and stimulates the ability to step out of duality to observe the effect of its interaction from a neutral space. Electromagnetics is the life forcethat is a catalyst for reproduction to occur, allowing the evolution of consciousness to continue. Synergy training defines every experience in categories relative to the force from which it originates. When we are aware of the influence of the four forces, we can begin to alter structures and patterns that cause stagnation in personal growth. (Adapted from Holistic Health Directory.)
ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE - The Alexander technique is an educational method for improving coordination, andfor developing awareness of unnecessary tensions in the body. F. M. Alexander was an actor who had a problem with losing his voice. By studying his habitual movements in a mirror, he discovered ways he was using his body that created his vocal problem and was able to resolve the difficulty. He went on to create a system for enhancing balance, posture and the use of the body, which is called the Alexander Technique. Practitioners refer to themselves as teachers of the Alexander method and refer to sessions as lessons.
ALLARD KINETIC SYSTEMS - Allard Professional Training combines structure, function and awareness into a system where each are seen as intertwined and not separate entities. Developed by Norman Allard, the relationship between the energetics of human potential movement and structural/therapeutic effects are explored through perceptual anatomy, neurokinetics and arthrosomatics.
AMMA Therapy (ANMA) - AMMA therapy is a method of restoring the flow of life energy in the body, and is used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. It combines Oriental medical principles with a Western approach to organ dysfunction. AMMA Therapy may include dietary plans, detoxification, herbs and vitamins, and therapeutic exercises.
ANMA MASSAGE - general form of Chinese Qigong massage which uses 361 energy points or (tsubos). "an" means press: "mo" means rub; "anma" means massage.
APPLIED KINESIOLOGY (TOUCH FOR HEALTH) - Applied Kinesiology is a technique used mainly by chiropractors to gain diagnostic information through muscle testing and to strengthen muscles to aid in structural correction. Muscles are related to specific organs or systems through the acupuncture meridian network. By observing the patient's posture, walk, and general body movements as well as specific muscle testing, the practitioner determines the cause of certain health problems. Treatment may include nutritional counseling, manipulation, acupressure, and exercise.
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY - A muscle monitoring technique, applied physiology allows the body to express what is out of balance and provides information to restore that balance. Muscles are put through a normal range of motion, monitored to determine where the stresses lie. The centerpiece of the technique is using acupoints to ask "questions" about specific physiological and anatomical stresses. The goal of treatment is to let go of the stress within the body by integrating the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components of an individual.
AQUATIC MASSAGE THERAPY - A therapy delivered in a warm pool combining Watsu, a technique using Shiatsu stretches, and Jahara technique, a bio-mechanically correct series of joint mobilizations. The combination of warm water, low gravity, and slow movements facilitate continuous range of motion and traction of the joints.
AROMATHERAPY - The use of essential oils for curative and rejuvenating effects. Dating back to ancient Egypt, India, and the Far East, this simple therapy has been used for centuries to reduce stress and tension, refresh and invigorate the body, soothe emotions, and clear the mind. After an initial discussion with the client, specific essential oils are used in conjunction with other appropriate techniques, such as massage, acupressure, or reflexology. Used in oils, the essential oil is absorbed through the skin and into the body to affect physiological change. When inhaled the aroma directly affects the limbic area of the brain that is related to emotions and memories.
ART THERAPY - Using the media of the arts (sculpture, painting, collage, etc.) to provide release of symbolic expression, art therapy
allows the individual an opportunity to confront inner perceptions of the self.
ASHIATSU (ASHI MEANS FOOT AND ATSU MEANS PRESSURE) - Ancient form of bodywork. An adaptation of an ancient form of barefoot massage using deep compression effleurage gliding over the body. Gravitational force is combined with centrifugal and centripetal movements to bring about a structural change in chronic soft tissue damage. Bars are used over the head for balance and lubricant is
applied.
ASTON PATTERNING - Aston-Patterning aims to increase the body’s grace, resiliency and ease of movement by releasing layers of tension throughout the body. It uses movement education, bodywork, environmental design and fitness training.
ASYMMETRIC BODY BALANCING - This is a combination of Paul St. John's Neuromuscular Therapy and more traditional Hatha yoga to help clients diminish and/or alleviate pain or discomfort and find homeostasis and equilibrium in their daily lives.
ATTUNEMENT - Attunement is a non-touch (or light touch) approach to healing, employing spiritual techniques (prayer and meditation) to restore one's naturally vibrant energetic and physical well-being. Attunement balances the flow of energy through the endocrine glands, organs, bones and other tissues of thebody - establishing alignment between the body, mind and emotions and harmonizing these elements with the "spirit," described as the radiant source of life and healing. Sharing attunement with clients invites them to share a sacred energetic or vibrational space characterized by stillness and peace, where healing at all levels can occur. This life-giving process is the doorway through which an individual may enhance or recover health of body, mind and spirit.
AYURVEDIC MASSAGE - Ayurvedic is a system of health and medicine used in India. Ayurveda means "life knowledge" or "right living.” The basic theory is that there are there basic body types or tridoshas. There are three different types of massage for each tridosha. They have a system similar to meridians called Marmas. There are about 100 of these points and are said to be the source of the vital life force. There is one type of massage that is part of detoxification system from India called Pancha Karma, in which the body is cleansed inside and out to remove toxins. Most use Sesame oil which has a heating and stimulating quality.
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