Donald Marmara, Somatic Psychotherapist and Educator, Artarmon, Sydney
Whilst biodynamic massage may involve working to release specific tensions, its major focus is to help you regain the power to heal yourself.
It does this by seeking to discover the quality of touch that you need at that particular time.
How does the Biodynamic Therapist decide what methods to use?
Biodynamic therapists pay attention to the sounds of the digestive system. These sounds, together with other body language such as breathing, muscle-tone, skin colour and small twitching muscular movements, let the therapist know how you are responding on a deeper level to his/her touch.
The biodynamic therapist is in constant dialogue with you on a body level, adapting his or her touch moment-by-moment to your specific and unique needs.
How does Biodynamic Massage differ from other forms of touch therapy, eg. Kinesiology or Remedial Massage?
Biodynamic Massage is not prescriptive ie. it does not interpret in the way that, say, Kinesiology does. Biodynamic Massage will help you find out for yourself what and how you create tensions and imbalance. It seeks to restore your capacity to be in charge of your own bodily life.
It differs from Remedial Massage in that it works to uncover the underlying and often unconscious causes of your tension.
Remedial Massage can sometimes be more effective in the short-term for relieving pain due to muscular tension, whereas Biodynamic Massage is more likely to help you change the patterns that create these tensions in the longer term.
How many sessions are needed?
The effect is cumulative and, whilst even one or two sessions can be beneficial, it usually takes at least five sessions to experience the power of this approach.
In what cases would you recommend Biodynamic Massage?
As Biodynamic Massage works to find the most appropriate touch in each particular case, it is likely to be helpful to most people in the hands of a sufficiently well trained and experienced practitioner.
It can be especially helpful in dealing with stress, anxiety and depression, and other emotional issues.
In cases of injury, illness, or acute pain, however, it is advisable to see a suitably qualified medical or health practitioner for a diagnosis in the first instance.
Biodynamic Massage is not a substitute for medical or clinical treatment.
Emotional issues often surface as a result of this form of massage. It would be unwise for anyone but a trained Somatic Psychotherapist to use this form of therapy.
Biodynamic Massage is especially helpful in cases of emotional “flooding” This happens when more toxins are released into the bloodstream than the body is able to eliminate at that given time.
History and Training
Biodynamic Massage was developed by the late Gerda Boyesen, a Norwegian Physiotherapist and Clinical Psychologist. Gerda moved to London in 1968, where she set up The Centre for Bio-Energy to train therapists.
I had the privilege of being a student at the Centre from 1976 to 1980.
The training involved attendance at group sessions for approximately 17 hours per week over a period of 3 to 4 years. The course covered the Boyesen method of Somatic Psychotherapy as well as Biodynamic Massage.
As students we were required to receive weekly individual sessions in Biodynamic Massage over a period of two years. We were also required to give weekly sessions under direct supervision for a period of two years (preferably with the same clients over that period).
This was part of a minimum of three to four years’ training, which we had to complete before being given permission to practise as a Biodynamic Therapist.
We also received individual Biodynamic Psychotherapy sessions during the training.
Please note : the training in biodynamic massage offered by other training providers differs from the above.
Call 0412 178 234 for further information or to book a session.