Psychosomatic Bodywork encompasses a wide range of modalities for exploring the relationship between body and psyche. Techniques like Bioenergetic Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biodynamic Psychology, Rubenfeld Synergy, Body-Mind Psychotherapy, Body-Mind Centering, Body Talk, Voice Dialogue, Hakomi Therapy, and various forms of Emotional Stress Release all pursue a holistic approach to healing that is useful and necessary to balanced doing in the world.
In addition, the practice of Astropoetics – as developed by Yggdrasil co-founder Joe Landwehr – is based in part on the integration of astrology and the psychology of the chakras. The chakras are nerve plexus along the spine with correlates to organs and physiological systems as well as psychological complexes. By identifying chakra patterns in the birthchart, the inter-relationship between body and psyche is revealed.
In general, these practices assume that psychological wellbeing and physiological health are intimately intertwined. Psychological patterns contribute to and are mirrored by physical conditions and vice versa. To contribute effectively to the wellbeing of the world from a soulful place, body and psyche must be in balance.
At Yggdrasil, various forms of Psychosomatic Bodywork will be available to retreat participants. To the extent that qualified teachers are available, psychosomatic bodywork may also be taught at the school – as a catalyst to the four soul tasks – particularly the first and third, tending the sacred wound and communicating with diverse intelligences.
In part, what makes tending the sacred wound sacred is a willingness to work toward wholeness in a way that brings body and psyche together as a seamless functional unity, and psychosomatic approaches to healing are designed to do that.
In addition, creating a meaningful dialogue between body and psyche can be considered the foundation on which further dialogue between self and other humans, self and other embodied souls in the more than human world becomes possible.
