Bodywork Basics (Omega Institute Mind, Body, Spirit Series) [Paperback]

Anne Kent Rush (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2000 | Series: Omega Institute Mind, Body, Spirit Series

Everything you need to know about bodywork
How to integrate bodywork into your life for optimal health and vitality
The essentials of massage, acupressure, hands-on healing, and more

The Omega Institute, the nation's largest holistic education and retreat center, has helped tens of thousands of people in their search for well-being, personal growth, and spiritual development through its world-renowned workshops and retreats. Now the experts at the Omega Institute share their wisdom with you in a unique series of books that provide the guidance, the inspiration, and the skills you need to bring increased meaning and vitality into your life. . . .

From acupuncture to massage, bodywork can help reduce stress, increase energy, and promote well-being.  And in this empowering guide, one of the Omega Institute's foremost experts provides a thorough introduction to the three basic bodywork approaches--Western, Eastern, and the latest East/West combination techniques--offering all the information you need to choose what works best for you. The Alexander technique--zone therapy--reflexology--acupressure--Thai massage--intuitive energy healing.... Here are simple, illustrated exercises for each discipline in a guide that helps you harness the amazing powers of your body to achieve greater harmony and vibrant health. You will discover:

Powerful new techniques for eliminating stress, relieving pain, and healing emotional and physical wounds
A complete survey of Western bodywork (structural alignment); Eastern bodywork (energy alignment);  and East/West fusion techniques, including step-by-step exercises for each
How to design your own personal program from all three disciplines
  How to integrate the principles and exercises you've learned into a vital, joyous, well-balanced life

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As age-old and effective as bodywork may be, it is still a mysterious science to many contemporary Westerners, which is why this guidebook from Anne Kent Rush is such a helpful introduction. Instead of using medicine, special diets, or herbal supplements, bodywork relies on the body's energetic system to heal illnesses and overcome weaknesses, Rush explains. Massage, visualization, breath, and touch are just a few of the tools that trigger this internal healing process while also increasing body awareness.

The first part of the book is devoted to Western bodywork, such as "CranialSacral Therapy," "Feldenkrais," "Rolfing, " and "The Rosen Method." Part two explores Eastern traditions such as "Acupressure," "Shiatsu," and "Thai Massage." And part three melds East and West with "Intuitive Energy Healing" and "Polarity Therapy." Every chapter explains the history and philosophy behind a particular form of bodywork and frequently offers suggestions for how to perform bodywork on yourself or others. Critics may find the chapters too brief and superficial, but as an overview on the world's major bodywork traditions, this is an excellent resource. --Gail Hudson

Review

Rush surveys 23 Bodywork methods for eliminating stress, relieving pain, and healing emotional and physical wounds. Bodywork can also heighten joy, increase pleasure, improve health, and provide something to help others when things are going well. The book suggests readers design a personal program formed from the Bodywork methods and integrate Bodywork principles and exercises into a well-balanced life. Rush's survey serves as a primer, keeping the explanations of each method very basic--perhaps too basic. Readers coming upon the subject for the first time will find encouragement to learn and try more, but they will only get a sampling here. Many chapters simply are not very adequate interpretations of their methods, with not nearly enough information for designing a personal program or integrating principles into one's lifestyle. The book is also contains some distracting errors. For example, the book states that there is no national U.S. certification credential for shiatsu, yet there is one. The Swedish massage chapter lists four basic strokes, yet there are five classic Swedish strokes. And of the four listed, one does not belong and another has an incorrect definition. -- From Beliefnet

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dell; 1 edition (January 11, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440508703
• ISBN-13: 978-0440508700
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,980,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of many types of bodywork, May 14, 2000

By 

Jennifer Scribner (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bodywork Basics (Omega Institute Mind, Body, Spirit Series) (Paperback)

Bodywork Basics is an easy to read reference for a variety of kinds of bodywork. It includes sections on western, eastern, and combination styles. Each section gives a brief description, history, and ways to try it at home if possible. I found it to be a nice introduction to things I had heard of but didn't know much about, and some things that were completely new to me. I also liked the other resources section at the end of the chapters which list a way to get in touch with practioners and further reading for things I want to learn more about. Overall, a fun, simple introduction, written so anyone can understand it.