Customer Reviews

The Body Has Its Reasons: Self-Awareness Through Conscious Movement

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Written by a woman whose husband - himself a medical doctor - died in hospital from suspected neglect, this book is a uniquely satisfying revenge. For here, Therese Bertherat makes bold declarations and assertions, tearing the shroud from the naked dead body of society's assumptions about the medical profession, health, exercise and physical therapy. Her writing is passionate, with the certitude of a preacher. And why not? This is hot stuff!

I have been teaching yoga professionally for 16 years, and I totally empathize with her stories of treating students with her method - gleaned from her amazing teachers and which she calls Preliminaries. She describes with sometimes breath taking clarity her viewpoints, the incidents which led up to their formulation, the difficulty in working with the bodies of unconscious people and the shadow presence of something else which resists being helped at all. So much of it was familiar to me from my own work.

No airy fairy theories here, folks. Just real life experience which can be applied practically. If you are into alternative therapies in general and body work in particular, this book is not to be missed.

Sravaniya DiPecoraro, Yoga Instructor, Hong Kong, 1999

Ms. Bertherat uses a clear and inviting writing style to powerfully impress upon us the need to be more fully in touch with our bodies. Rather than always seeking beautiful theories and insights about life from others, one can be greatly nourished and helped by gaining this Understanding that Ms. B shares and by doing simple physical non-exercises which demonstrate how our body is integrated and how good it feels to live inside that body.

This is a nice verbal way to begin appreciating the body as it changes and adapts. There are many who have no ideas whatsoever on this and only USE the body. That the the physical body is having reactions & adaptations within itself and unbeknownst to the USER is a fresh concept. Because this is verbage it can reach people in this day & age where everyone takes a course to do anything and relies heavily on verbal introductions. Unfortunately it doesn't offer many clues for where to go next to get in sync with ones body perhaps because it was written in 1989. It also does not introduce the pioneers of modern bodywork or the ancient modalities still practiced .Perhaps she knew nothing of Jean Paul Barral, Upledger, japanese shiatsu's, yoga & meditations. The bibliography is limited. Presently there is still limitaion in Physical Therapy instruction even though he range and scope of therapies readily available to learn is now large, but relies entirely on learning through practice usually under the banner of PT/OT. Constraints initiated through certification limit public awareness and trust in their own relationships within themselves. So books like this fill a big gap. Ways to increase self awareness are not covered in the book , it offers some evidence the body is ready to be listened to and will adapt continually. Before it has sealed of all possibilities & succumbs to disease it is still very responsive to bodywork and most of it can be done by oneself. The first step is basically to take the time to actually observe & feel ones own body.

I was impressed with the method presented. Finally, something to help me get in touch with my cell memories/feelings, correct them and be better for it! The only problem is that there is no one to teach here....... Anyone teaching this method, please feel free to contact me at Rikitikitavi97@aol.com.

This not a review just a message about the names of the authors for the "The Body Has Its Reasons" You have --By Carol and Bertherat, Theresa Bernstein--.WRONG. I have a copy of the out of print book. The authors are Therese Bertherat and Carol Bernstein. Just like you have for the book;The Body Has It; Reasons: SelfAwareness through Conscious Movement. Just thought that you'd like to know.

The book is wonderful. It is easy to read. The instructions of the book are very good. I want to have contact with somebody trained by the author of the book. Or I want to have communication with herself.

This not a review just a message about the names of the authors for the "The Body Has Its Reasons" You have --By Carol and Bertherat, Theresa Bernstein--.WRONG. I have a copy of the out of print book. The authors are Therese Bertherat and Carol Bernstein. Just like you have for the book;The Body Has It; Reasons: SelfAwareness through Conscious Movement. Just thought that you'd like to know.