Bodywise: An Introduction to Hellerwork for Regaining Flexibility and Well-Being [Paperback]

Joseph Heller (Author), William Henkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2004

Bodywise is based on Joseph Heller's own brand of deep-tissue bodywork, which makes the connection between life issues and natural bodily alignment, and shows how to restore the body's natural balance. The book teaches readers how to regain control and become a full-time owner of their bodies. Part One explains the way the body works, in everyday life as well as in the structures of consciousness. Part Two takes the reader on a guided tour of the Hellerwork experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"…a book that is a classic in its field—one of the few I’d keep on my shelf as a reference work."
-Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior and The Warrior Athlete

"Joseph Heller’s profound understanding of the human body and its possibilities for maximum health and efficiency gives his bodywork the superb pleasure of healing."
-Richard Chamberlain, actor

About the Author

Joseph Heller, a graduate of Cal Tech, spent 10 years as an aerospace engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. He later became the director of Kairos, a Los Angeles center for human development, and participated in year-long training programs in bioenergetics and gestalt, as well as shorter workshops with Buckminister Fuller, John Lilly, Virginia Satir, and Brugh Joy. He became a Rolfer in 1972 and continued to study with Ida Rolf through 1978, while learning Patterning from Judith Aston. He became the first president of the Rolf Institute in 1975 and left that position to found the Hellerwork Institute and its training program, Body of Knowledge, in 1978. He lives, practices, and teaches Hellerwork in Mt. Shasta, California.

Bill Henkin hold graduate degrees in English, psychology, and human sexuality. A former university English instructor and magazine editor, he is author or coauthor of 14 books and editor or producer of a dozen more, including The Psychic Healing Book (with Amy Wallace), The Rocky Horror Picture Show Book, and Consensual Sadomasochism: How to Talk About It and How to do it Safely.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (October 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155643524X
• ISBN-13: 978-1556435249
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #363,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth exploring!...shows you how to become a full-time owner of your own body!, March 18, 2006

By 

Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Ho Chi Minh City/Singapore) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bodywise (Paperback)

I own a lot of books on optimum brain performance as part of relentless seach for better understanding - & application - of peak performance technologies. I know very well that peak performance depends very much on the brain working in perfect harmony & close integration with the body. I therefore also own quite a lot of books about enhancing body performance.

This is one of them, which is also one of the few I always keep on my immediate shelf for quick reference.

Although it has been written essentially as an introduction to Hellerwork, I find the authors' intellectual work in creating the connection between life issues & natural bodily alignment very illuminating. Additionally, he shows how to restore the body's natural balance from the inside out.

Obviously both authors have profound understanding of the human body & its possibilities for maximum health & efficiency.

I did not realise that one of the authors (Joseph Heller) was an aerospace engineer by training until I read this book. This probably explains the logical structure & systematic layout of the various chapters as follows:

PART I: KNOWLEDGE OF BODY
The Body in Everyday Life
The Body's Role in the Strcutures of Consciousness
The Plasticity of the Human Body
Bodywork

PART II: BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
Introduction to Hellerwork
The Thoracic Cavity
Understanding or Standing on Your Own Two Feet
Reaching Out
Control & Surrender
Gut feelings or Let It All Hang Out
Holding Back
Losing Your Head
The Balancing Act
Integration & Coming Out

I only wish that there were more visual/graphic illustrations to go with the various chapters.

To me, the authors sum up the book very beautifully. Let me recap their exact words in the last chapter: "...Enlightenment is not something that ony happen when you meditate, chant your mantra, listen to your favourite piece of music: It is something that happens every day, in the way you move, relate to others, work, cook supper, brush your teeth. The challenge or purpose of life is to experience it as fully as possible at every moment. Your body is both vehicle & metaphor for your process: When the hologram is integrated with the being, the result is enlightenment." [The authors use the hologram, in an abstract sense, to represent the exact physical expression of a person's mind & spirit; in a concrete sense, any part of the body may be seen to reflect & contain everything there is to know about the whole body, just like a hologram.]

On the whole, the many ideas in this book are definitely worth exploring from the standpoint of becoming a full-time owner of your own body!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mind-Body Connection Explained, November 17, 2007

By 

Anita Boser (Issaquah, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bodywise: An Introduction to Hellerwork for Regaining Flexibility and Well-Being (Paperback)

I learned a lot about my body from reading this book, especially why I get stuck. The connection between what I think or believe and how it manifests in my body couldn't be better explained. It was a real eye opener. I also enjoyed the practical suggestions for getting aligned and balanced, particularly undulation, one of my favorite exercises.

Anita Boser, author of Relieve Stiffness and Feel Young Again with Undulation

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book, December 23, 2009

By 

Bobby D. Vitatoe (Santa Rosa CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bodywise: An Introduction to Hellerwork for Regaining Flexibility and Well-Being (Paperback)

One of the most edible books that has ever entertained my soul. I feel this is a must read for anyone curious about the human body, or anyone just looking for a good read. The book is more a novelty of human curiosity rather than a manual of anatomy or hellerwork of any sort (which is what I had in mind when i bought it) but I urge anyone and everyone to indulge.