Developing a biological metaphor for bodywork
Developing a biological metaphor for bodywork
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Issue Date
1986
Authors
Berman, Mitchell
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Abstract
This is a study which attempts to determine and describe the possible relationship of biological metaphor to bodywork. Specifically, it suggests that cellular dynamics, especially the dynamics of protoplasm, the living matrix within cells, provide an image through which one can view and understand bodywork. Initially, a short summary of the biological material as well as a questionnaire were sent out to participants. Twenty-four bodyworkers answered and returned questionnaires while six additional bodyworkers were interviewed directly, again using the questionnaire format. The thirty participants were asked to note their experience of an existing relationship between protoplasmic dynamics and both the metaphors they use in their style of bodywork and the changes perceived taking place during bodywork sessions. In addition, participants were asked to rate the biological material relative to their practice of bodywork according to interest in the topic, its usefulness, and its effect in increasing their attunement to clients. Overall, results show that upwards of 70% of the thirty bodyworker participants experienced a relationship to the biological metaphor presented, 72% through their observation of changes taking place in their clients and 77% through the metaphors they use in their practice. Interest in the biological metaphor relative to participant practice of bodywork rated 6.9 on a scale of 10 while its usefulness and potential for increasing attune ment to clients were rated at about one half this. The relatively high rating of interest in the protoplasmic metaphor as well as the number and quality of relationships experienced between the protoplasmic metaphor and bodywork would seem to suggest that this is a fruitful area for further study.
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Keywords
Therapeutic systems , Body psychotherapies