12 October 2008
Applied Kinesiology Well Rounded Goal Setting
18/10/08 07:52 Filed in: AK and The Mind
Well-roundness rules for goals during an AK session:
1. Visualized and formulated in the present tense - as if the desired state is present here now: "I am", not "I want".
2. Formulated in the positive (no, "I want to quit smoking", but rather “I want to be healthier)
3. Under your own control (no, "I will be happy when someone else changes in the way I want them to)
4. Described in terms of your five senses (What and how will you see, feel, smell, etc. when your goal is present here now?)-
5. Verifiable: How will you know when you have achieved your goal? What criteria will make you sure that you are "there"?
These fabulous 5 rules can be utilized during Applied Kinesiology sessions to help the patient move more strongly toward their goals!
--Dr. Robert Frost
Golden Rules
17/10/08 07:24 Filed in: Good Teachings
When I was about 7, my father took me with him when he went to his lawyer's house. All along one wall, from floor to ceiling, were identical looking pale blue books. I asked what they were. The lawyer answered that these books contained descriptions of all the things that were against the law in USA.
I was shocked, flabbergasted! I didn't know there were that many things, let along that many forbidden things. After we left, I asked my father, "Are there really so many things that are against the law in our country?" My father thought a minute and then replied, "Yes, there are that many laws, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't do those things."
Surprised, I said, "But I thought that was what laws mean." My father replied, "It's important that people follow these rules in general or society would fall apart. We couldn't live so close together in cities if people freely killed and stole from each other. However, if in your specific case, you feel and think that you do have the right to do something against the law, what it first means is that you should cool off and think it through carefully. If, after careful consideration, you still think that you have the right to do something like that, then it means that you should do it such a way that no one can find out who did it."
--Dr. Robert Frost
I was shocked, flabbergasted! I didn't know there were that many things, let along that many forbidden things. After we left, I asked my father, "Are there really so many things that are against the law in our country?" My father thought a minute and then replied, "Yes, there are that many laws, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't do those things."
Surprised, I said, "But I thought that was what laws mean." My father replied, "It's important that people follow these rules in general or society would fall apart. We couldn't live so close together in cities if people freely killed and stole from each other. However, if in your specific case, you feel and think that you do have the right to do something against the law, what it first means is that you should cool off and think it through carefully. If, after careful consideration, you still think that you have the right to do something like that, then it means that you should do it such a way that no one can find out who did it."
--Dr. Robert Frost
Incarnating In a Human Vehicle
15/10/08 18:56 Filed in: Spirituality
We are incarnating in a human vehicle. Many "animal" behaviors come built into this experience. We tend to think that we "are" these behaviors, but in truth, they are part of the human-animal vehicles built in patterns. It is up to us to objectively observe (key 1), remember (key 2) who we are, and lovingly (key 3) guide ourselves into wisely chosen behaviors.
It has taken ages to develop an animal vehicle that has the capacity for incarnation by human consciousness. It is a wonder, not to be demeaned in any way. But the wise learn to recognize the animal vehicle tendencies for what they are instead of defending them as one's own self.
Driving along the coast South from Los Angeles one early Sunday morning, I was thinking of this animal vehicle. I decided to try to talk with it. I said, "Animal vehicle I am living in, it is rather cold and overcast just now, but I do have a swim suit, fins and a towel in the trunk. Do you want to go swimming and body surfing before going home?"
My body began to hop and bop about like a dog when you ask him if he wants to go for a walk!
I laughed and told my animal, "OK, I get the message. Let's go swimming."
Honor your animal vehicle. Get to know what it wants and needs... and fulfill these regularly. You'll be healthier and happier for it.
Dr. Robert Frost
Psychological Systems
14/10/08 07:57 Filed in: AK used in Psychotherapy
As far as psychological therapies go, I highly recommend that you learn Milton Ericson's hypnotic techniques, NeuroLinguistic Programming and Jungian Psychology.
Skinner is a first chakra psychologist - survival, changing behavior...
Freud is a second chakra psychologist - everything is an aspect of sex.
Adler is a third chakra psychologist - dominance, pecking order...
Jung is a fourth chakra psychologist - individuation = great work.
NLP will equip you with skills to recognize, identify and modify human behavior. It is amoral = can be used for good or bad. It represents the most advanced techniques of influencing to date. You can make change work fast, easy, lasting... and don't have to get bogged down in the bummer stories people like to tell psychologists.
I have a PhD in psychology, but decided not to practice as a psychologist. In USA, the psychiatrists followed by the psychologists are the occupational groups that most often commit suicide. After hearing the bad stories from their patients all day long... they don't want to live in that kind of world anymore. NLP allows you to do "contentless therapy" - you can really help without having to hear the bad stories.
My basic therapeutic modality is Applied Kinesiology. I wrote a teaching and reference textbook on the field. With AK, I can determine what happened when - the cause of a patient's psychological (or other type of) problem in minutes. Then I can use AK to determine which kind of therapy will be appropriate for resolving the problem. You'd be surprised how many psychological problems can be resolved with selected nutrients!
--Dr. Robert Frost
Skinner is a first chakra psychologist - survival, changing behavior...
Freud is a second chakra psychologist - everything is an aspect of sex.
Adler is a third chakra psychologist - dominance, pecking order...
Jung is a fourth chakra psychologist - individuation = great work.
NLP will equip you with skills to recognize, identify and modify human behavior. It is amoral = can be used for good or bad. It represents the most advanced techniques of influencing to date. You can make change work fast, easy, lasting... and don't have to get bogged down in the bummer stories people like to tell psychologists.
I have a PhD in psychology, but decided not to practice as a psychologist. In USA, the psychiatrists followed by the psychologists are the occupational groups that most often commit suicide. After hearing the bad stories from their patients all day long... they don't want to live in that kind of world anymore. NLP allows you to do "contentless therapy" - you can really help without having to hear the bad stories.
My basic therapeutic modality is Applied Kinesiology. I wrote a teaching and reference textbook on the field. With AK, I can determine what happened when - the cause of a patient's psychological (or other type of) problem in minutes. Then I can use AK to determine which kind of therapy will be appropriate for resolving the problem. You'd be surprised how many psychological problems can be resolved with selected nutrients!
--Dr. Robert Frost
Psoriasis
13/10/08 21:08 Filed in: Skin Problems
People with debiliting skin diseases usually have a problem with setting personal boundaries. The skin if your body's boundary. For such people, everything that happens goes "to the core". It's like their nerves have no insulation. They need to establish some personal space for themselves and learn to not take other people's actions personally. Your friend's desire to retire from active life and go become a monk seem to agree with this hypothesis. He should take time daily for meditation or other regular "retreats". When people ask him to do something for them, he should learn to say either, "No" or "I'll do that for you if you'll do this for me" - and give them an equally time- and energy-consuming task.
I would advise a strong daily dose of B vitamins - along with or in a multiple vitamin, which can be tested with applied kinesiology muscle testing.
Aloe vera - applied topically and drunk internally will be very soothing and healing.
I would advise a strong daily dose of B vitamins - along with or in a multiple vitamin, which can be tested with applied kinesiology muscle testing.
Aloe vera - applied topically and drunk internally will be very soothing and healing.
Perverse Sense Of Humor
12/10/08 13:34 Filed in: AK used in Psychotherapy
A colleague of mine had a "new-age" type patient in psychological therapy. She was always speaking of her great desire for "inner growth". Her subconscious heard her words and gave it to her: cancer tumors. That's real inner growth - not what she meant but truly what she said. She died from them.
A teacher of mine related the story of a man who successfully visualized lots of money - giving it out and receiving it. He got a job as a bank teller. A temple woman visualized having a husband. Soon lots of husbands were giving her attention - the husbands of other women!
It appears to me that the subconscious has a seemingly perverse humor - giving us just what we said - even if not exactly what we meant. That being so, it behooves us to choose our words very precisely indeed - with no chance of double meanings with undesired intent.
--Dr. Robert Frost
A teacher of mine related the story of a man who successfully visualized lots of money - giving it out and receiving it. He got a job as a bank teller. A temple woman visualized having a husband. Soon lots of husbands were giving her attention - the husbands of other women!
It appears to me that the subconscious has a seemingly perverse humor - giving us just what we said - even if not exactly what we meant. That being so, it behooves us to choose our words very precisely indeed - with no chance of double meanings with undesired intent.
--Dr. Robert Frost
The Most Important Spiritual Practice
12/10/08 13:31 Filed in: Spirituality
The most important spiritual practice is that of freeing the
subconscious from the compulsion to elaborate every suggestion it
receives from self-consciousness. This is the slavery of the woman to
the man. It happens inside of each one of us.
I have elaborated this suggestion a bit. I try to improvise what I say
so it is "fresh" each time. The essence is like this:
"Subconscious mind, henceforth when you receive a suggestion from or
via me (self-consciousness), you will first compare it with
superconscious wisdom to which you have perfect access. If the
suggestion is in harmony with superconsciousness, great! Then elaborate
it to our heart's delight. If not, simply ignore it. Instead of
elaborating such false suggestions, reflect back to me, your
self-conscious equal partner, the corresponding superconscious wisdom.
I, for my part, will endeavor to be ever more receptive to these
gleenings of superconscious wisdom reflected to me by you, my
subconscious equal-partner. Inspired by them, I will generate more and
more suggestions that are in harmony with superconscious wisdom. Thus
together we will harmoniously dance as each other's perfect equal
partner, completing the Great Work together."
Until she is made free within, a man will be unable to free himself
from the social habit of "ownership" of "his" woman without.
-Dr. Robert Frost
Occular Migraine Relief
12/10/08 13:27 Filed in: Migraines
A few months ago the time leading up to a marriage ceremony was a major stress producer for me, and I was suffering from occular migraines.
I've had some good results with myself and others with these kind of headaches.
They often arise from stress - specifically stress in the big neck muscles that attach to the back of your head.
This often occurs because we carry our heads way out in front of the line of gravity through our bodies.
When the head is out there, the muscles at the back of the neck have to hold hard all the time to keep the head from falling forward onto the chest.
After days/weeks of this, the skull becomes slightly distorted - pulled down in the back. This distorts the orb of skull surrounding the eyeball, eventually causing pain and visual disturbances.
Long-term Solution: Better posture in general with the head in balance on top of the upright spine. Get out of so much stress.
Remedy for acute pain: Lie on your back comfortably, soft pillow under the head and neck. Put your hands over your eyes, fingers on top of your head, heels of the ˙ands directly upon the eyes. Relax the eyes and imagine them falling back into your head. Imagine your nose, lower forehead and all around your eyes softening, melting, and falling back into your head. When this is working right, it kind of feels like the part of your face all around your eyes if "going down the drain" and sinking in at the root of the nose.
When that far, press a bit upon your eyeballs and feel them sink back into their sockets. Imagine them falling all the way to the spot at the back of your neck where your neck meets your head. If when you press on your eyeballs, they don't sink in, you are still holding your ocular muscles too tightly. Relax them consciously until when you press, you can feel them sinking into your head.
Step 2: Put one hand at the base of your skull and the other one on the top of your head and forehead. Gently pull the base of your skull toward the top of your head. With the other hand, gently pull the top of your head forward and your forehead downward. You are encouraging your skull to return to its normal state.
--Dr. Robert Frost
I've had some good results with myself and others with these kind of headaches.
They often arise from stress - specifically stress in the big neck muscles that attach to the back of your head.
This often occurs because we carry our heads way out in front of the line of gravity through our bodies.
When the head is out there, the muscles at the back of the neck have to hold hard all the time to keep the head from falling forward onto the chest.
After days/weeks of this, the skull becomes slightly distorted - pulled down in the back. This distorts the orb of skull surrounding the eyeball, eventually causing pain and visual disturbances.
Long-term Solution: Better posture in general with the head in balance on top of the upright spine. Get out of so much stress.
Remedy for acute pain: Lie on your back comfortably, soft pillow under the head and neck. Put your hands over your eyes, fingers on top of your head, heels of the ˙ands directly upon the eyes. Relax the eyes and imagine them falling back into your head. Imagine your nose, lower forehead and all around your eyes softening, melting, and falling back into your head. When this is working right, it kind of feels like the part of your face all around your eyes if "going down the drain" and sinking in at the root of the nose.
When that far, press a bit upon your eyeballs and feel them sink back into their sockets. Imagine them falling all the way to the spot at the back of your neck where your neck meets your head. If when you press on your eyeballs, they don't sink in, you are still holding your ocular muscles too tightly. Relax them consciously until when you press, you can feel them sinking into your head.
Step 2: Put one hand at the base of your skull and the other one on the top of your head and forehead. Gently pull the base of your skull toward the top of your head. With the other hand, gently pull the top of your head forward and your forehead downward. You are encouraging your skull to return to its normal state.
--Dr. Robert Frost
The "Quick-Fix" balance for switching
12/10/08 08:25 Filed in: Switching
A neurologically well-organized person can make coordinated movements with the opposite sides of the body at the same time and does not easily become confused. Good neurological integration expresses itself as clear awareness and coordinated control of the body, and mental acuity. Switching (neurologic disorganization) indicates a lack of integration between the dimensions of left-right, up-down, or back-front in the nervous system and body. Switching can change the results of muscle testing, giving false information.
In the switched state, a problem on the right side of the body may test as being on the left side. This is an example of a lack of proper integration of the nervous system and the body. When such lack of integration exists, it is necessary to correct switching before proceeding with other tests in order to obtain accurate information. The quick-fix correction given in the last paragraph of this section are effective, allowing for further tests to be performed with accuracy. However, since they do not address the underlying causes of switching, they are seldom long lasting.
Touching specific points (therapy localization) may be used to determine which systems are switched. The points most often used to determine the dimensions of switching are
1. the K27s-the end points of the kidney meridians to test for left-right switching,
2. CV24-the end point of the central meridian to test for up down switching, and
3. GV 27-the end point of the governing meridian to test for back-front switching. GV-I at the tip of the coccyx may alternatively be used to test back front switching. Touching the sacrum is adequate for this test.
In acupuncture, the associated points (located on the bladder meridian between the vertebrae along both sides of the spine) provide an interconnection of the bladder meridian with all other meridians. These points share the same location with important spinal nerves and with neurolymphatic massage points. The end points of the kidney meridians (kidney meridian acupuncture point number 27) are known as "the associated points of the associated points" or as "the home of the associated points." The K27s are the most important points in acupuncture. Goodheart refers to the K27s as a switchboard between the left and right sides of the body.
In order to test for switching in the left-right dimension, have the client gently touch the ends of the kidney meridians (the K27s located under the points where the collarbones meet the breastbone). The client should use the thumb on one side and two adjacent fingers on the other side of the breastbone for neutral testing and to leave his other arm free for muscle testing. If therapy localization to the K27s causes a test muscle to weaken, switching exists between the left and right sides.
Switching in the up-down dimension may be similarly tested by therapy localization (with two adjacent fingers) to the end of the central meridian (CV24, located just below the middle of the lower lip).
To test for back-front integration, therapy localize the end of the governing meridian (GV 27, located just above the upper lip) or the sacrum, and test as before. The same test may be performed by touching the tailbone. If touching any of the above mentioned points causes a previously strong testing muscle to weaken, switching is indicated in the dimension associated with the active point(s).
Switching in the tester may also produce false test results in the client. If the client is experienced with muscle testing, the client can test the possible switching in the tester directly. Or, the tester may simply perform the "quick-fix" switching corrections upon himself without prior testing.
In order to avoid erroneous results in further kinesiologic testing, switching must at least temporarily be corrected before proceeding with other tests. For accurate testing, switching must be eliminated in the tester as well. Switching may be temporarily eliminated by placing one hand upon the navel and actively massaging the points which caused the indicator muscle to test weak. The hands should then be reversed and the massage repeated. Breathe deeply while rubbing the points. Upon retesting, touching the points should no longer weaken the indicator muscle. Although temporary in effect, such switching correction will improve the reliability of the results of further muscle testing.
**
In my experience, right-left switching is the more common form of neurological disorganization. There can be many possible causes. Physical injuries, even in the distant past, can cause proprioceptors to continue signaling an imbalance, which disturbs posture, balance and mental functions as well. All dimensions of switching can also be caused by chemical imbalances (improper food, allergies, medicines, pollution...).
Mental causes of switching:
Right-Left: Conflict, indecision - usually between what you want and what you think your should. When switched, you can do what you want and it feels like what you should do. You can eat junk food and feel good doing so.
Back-Front: Behind you symbolizes the past. In front, the future. When you have back and front switched, you have a past in front of you. This means you expect today and tomorrow to be as bad as (or worse than) yesterday. Unresolved stressful experiences of the past return to haunt you. Your negative expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. The universe tends to give you what you expect.
Up-Down: When these two dimensions are switched, the individual has orientation problems. When I want to find someone with this imbalance for a demonstration, I ask, "Who must rotate a map until the streets are parallel to the actual streets?" The person who says that they must do this is most always a person in a state of up-down switching.
--Dr. Robert Frost
In the switched state, a problem on the right side of the body may test as being on the left side. This is an example of a lack of proper integration of the nervous system and the body. When such lack of integration exists, it is necessary to correct switching before proceeding with other tests in order to obtain accurate information. The quick-fix correction given in the last paragraph of this section are effective, allowing for further tests to be performed with accuracy. However, since they do not address the underlying causes of switching, they are seldom long lasting.
Touching specific points (therapy localization) may be used to determine which systems are switched. The points most often used to determine the dimensions of switching are
1. the K27s-the end points of the kidney meridians to test for left-right switching,
2. CV24-the end point of the central meridian to test for up down switching, and
3. GV 27-the end point of the governing meridian to test for back-front switching. GV-I at the tip of the coccyx may alternatively be used to test back front switching. Touching the sacrum is adequate for this test.
In acupuncture, the associated points (located on the bladder meridian between the vertebrae along both sides of the spine) provide an interconnection of the bladder meridian with all other meridians. These points share the same location with important spinal nerves and with neurolymphatic massage points. The end points of the kidney meridians (kidney meridian acupuncture point number 27) are known as "the associated points of the associated points" or as "the home of the associated points." The K27s are the most important points in acupuncture. Goodheart refers to the K27s as a switchboard between the left and right sides of the body.
In order to test for switching in the left-right dimension, have the client gently touch the ends of the kidney meridians (the K27s located under the points where the collarbones meet the breastbone). The client should use the thumb on one side and two adjacent fingers on the other side of the breastbone for neutral testing and to leave his other arm free for muscle testing. If therapy localization to the K27s causes a test muscle to weaken, switching exists between the left and right sides.
Switching in the up-down dimension may be similarly tested by therapy localization (with two adjacent fingers) to the end of the central meridian (CV24, located just below the middle of the lower lip).
To test for back-front integration, therapy localize the end of the governing meridian (GV 27, located just above the upper lip) or the sacrum, and test as before. The same test may be performed by touching the tailbone. If touching any of the above mentioned points causes a previously strong testing muscle to weaken, switching is indicated in the dimension associated with the active point(s).
Switching in the tester may also produce false test results in the client. If the client is experienced with muscle testing, the client can test the possible switching in the tester directly. Or, the tester may simply perform the "quick-fix" switching corrections upon himself without prior testing.
In order to avoid erroneous results in further kinesiologic testing, switching must at least temporarily be corrected before proceeding with other tests. For accurate testing, switching must be eliminated in the tester as well. Switching may be temporarily eliminated by placing one hand upon the navel and actively massaging the points which caused the indicator muscle to test weak. The hands should then be reversed and the massage repeated. Breathe deeply while rubbing the points. Upon retesting, touching the points should no longer weaken the indicator muscle. Although temporary in effect, such switching correction will improve the reliability of the results of further muscle testing.
**
In my experience, right-left switching is the more common form of neurological disorganization. There can be many possible causes. Physical injuries, even in the distant past, can cause proprioceptors to continue signaling an imbalance, which disturbs posture, balance and mental functions as well. All dimensions of switching can also be caused by chemical imbalances (improper food, allergies, medicines, pollution...).
Mental causes of switching:
Right-Left: Conflict, indecision - usually between what you want and what you think your should. When switched, you can do what you want and it feels like what you should do. You can eat junk food and feel good doing so.
Back-Front: Behind you symbolizes the past. In front, the future. When you have back and front switched, you have a past in front of you. This means you expect today and tomorrow to be as bad as (or worse than) yesterday. Unresolved stressful experiences of the past return to haunt you. Your negative expectations become self-fulfilling prophecies. The universe tends to give you what you expect.
Up-Down: When these two dimensions are switched, the individual has orientation problems. When I want to find someone with this imbalance for a demonstration, I ask, "Who must rotate a map until the streets are parallel to the actual streets?" The person who says that they must do this is most always a person in a state of up-down switching.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Alexander Technique
12/10/08 08:23 Filed in: Alexander Technique
When learning Alexander Technique with Patrick Macdonald in London for three years, we learned that to optimize our posture and use of the "self". To do so, I learned to allow my neck to be free, my head to gently nod forward a bit, and to extend the spine upward, the back to lengthen and widen.
However, in practice, as soon as I thought of my head going upward, I forgot about my neck being free and it again tightened up.
The habit of tightening the back of the neck prior to any activity (answering the phone, reaching with the hand, standing up - everything!) is nearly ubiquitous in the human race. As evidenced in the startle reflex, humans pull their head back as if in fear... and for some reason do so before every other movement. Watch people carefully. Before beginning to move, they subtly or grossly tighten the back of their neck, pulling the head back upon the spine. Standing up is an excellent example to observe. What do humans do when they decide to stand? They through their torso forward and down toward the floor. They pull their head way back on their spine. Now with the whole upper body hurdling downward, they jam their feet down and push their hips upward. Their poor spine is like an accordion, moving downward from above and upward from below. To stand, people throw themselves downward toward the floor. When you think about it, it's absolutely crazy.
Backs are strong. They can stand this kind of abuse for 40 or 50 years before major injury and chronic back pain begins. Statistics: One half of people over 50 have recurrent back pain.
Background: A few million years ago, humans stood up on the hind legs. This caused and continues to cause all sorts of problems. The hips of altered, making child-bearing much harder for human females than for animals. The muscles in the back of the neck have weakened, making us more prone to whiplash-type injuries. Another problem is that unlike animals, humans have no inbuilt instinctual patterns of correct use of the vehicle. While on four legs, the head is out front and leads the body into motion. If something happens in the distance to an animal's left, the animal's head extends forward and rotates toward the left to sense what is happening. Then if the animal decides to go in that direction, the natural first step is with the right foreleg, following the direction of the motion of the head.
Humans stand up so their heads are no longer out in front of a horizontal spinal column. So what part of the human anatomy ought to lead the body into motion? Many people lead with their hips, "trucking" and thinking that they look really cool.
Optimal posture and use in the human vehicle requires that one inhibits the habitual pattern of tightening the neck (stopping before going into action), giving directions for proper use ("let the neck be free, the head to go forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen") and continuing to focus upon this "means whereby" while going into action. This is much like Krishna's admonition to Arjuna to focus upon what he is doing and thereby do it will without thinking about the results of his activities. This is the secret of karma yoga: To avoid "end gaining" and stay in the present time, doing what you have to do well with full attention.
I could go much further into the dynamics of optimal human locomotion (a favorite topic), but for our point here I need only say that a few million years is not a long enough evolutionary time to develop instinctual patterns of optimal use of the body.
Since we don't have it built in like the animals do, for humans to develop patterns of optimal use requires intelligent self-direction. So, now armed with the requisite background, back to the issue at hand: the paradox of sequence and simultaneous presence.
When the Alexander Technique student goes for lessons, s/he is given a homework project of non-doing. S/he is to lie on the back on the floor with an adequately high stack of books under the head so that the palpable portion of the upper vertebrae of the neck are slightly higher off or the floor than the lower cervical vertebrae. The teacher will feel the back of your neck and recommend how much elevation you will need - typically 1/2 to 5 inches (for those with a thick, round torso and back, more elevation is required. The knees are bent, bringing the feet flat upon the floor near the bottom. The elbows are placed wide apart and the palms of the hands upon the front of the hips. This is called "The position of creative rest". The student is to lie like this at least five minutes per day (more is better). The body is totally passive. You are not to "do" anything. Mentally, you are to repeat to yourself, "Let the neck be free, the head to go forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen." Since you are lying horizontally, the direction of the head is actually "forward toward the ceiling and away from the body".
During the lesson, the teacher will have the student assume this position and give him/herself the "directions". The teacher will ask if the student's neck is free. The student will assure the teacher that this is so. The teacher will then gently lift the head and low and behold, the neck comes up in one piece, stiff and fixed to the head by muscular tension. The habit of holding the neck tight is so constant that we do it even while lying down and trying to relax! This awareness is frustrating! Why do we do this?
In short, we do it because when upright (sitting or standing), most every human always has their head out in front of the line of gravity through their body. As a result, we have to hold the muscles in the back of our necks tight or our head will fall down upon our chest. This results in the head being pulled back upon the top of the spine.
Then when we are told to improve our posture "Stand straight!", we pull our head even further back, making the situation even worse (increased pressure upon the intervertebral discs). Principle: When something is wrong and you directly try to change it to make it better, it usually gets worse. Without first stopping that which is wrong, attempting to correct any behavior just adds even more tension to an already tight system.
Shakespeare said, "The fool who continues with his folly shall become wise." In this context, I interpret this to mean that you must observe yourself without any effort to change what you observe for awhile before any true improvement becomes possible. Trying to change without really knowing what you are doing in the first place, and then stopping it, always fails.
So how can you learn to let your neck be free? Practicing the "apprentice piece" of Alexander Technique by assuming the position of creative rest and giving yourself the directions. With feedback from your teacher, you learn to experience that can let your neck be free when you decide to and give this direction. However, as soon as you think of anything else (such as allowing your head to move forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen), the neck immediately becomes again tight. You can give the directions sequentially, but the first is lost as soon as the second begins. Mastery of the "apprentice piece" involves learning the continue to think "neck free" while thinking "head forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen". This is made less difficult by being in a horizontal state of "non-doing".
Here is the challenge for the student: To continue to think "Neck free" WHILE giving further directions. This is the apprentice piece of the Alexander student. My teacher summed up the correct giving of directions like this: You must give yourself the directions "one after another, all at once". This is our paradox of numbers that are a sequence but also all exist simultaneously. This is the same paradox of the spheres of the Tree of Life that come into existence in a sequence that is also simultaneous.
The "master piece" of the Alexander Technique student it to continue to allow your neck to be free while directing your head to go forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen WHILE going about the activities of your daily life. This change of posture and use will have wide-ranging positive results on all levels (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual). Subjectively, it feels like a heavy overcoat, that you have been wearing all of your life without knowing it, had been finally taken off. There is lightness and grace in motion. You don't tighten any muscle any more than is minimally required for the activity in which you are involved. It is the ultimate way to be lazy.
By learning to observe your behavior without attempting to change it, your self-awareness increases dramatically. By learning to stop undesired behavior, the chance for positive change opens up to you. By focussing continuously upon the "means whereby", and ignoring the end result, you can eventually initiate truly new behavior. These principles can be effectively applied to all aspects of life.
If you will provide your body with the nutrients it needs plus the detoxification it needs... and direct it as learned in Alexander Technique, most of the typical ailments assailing humanity will not arise at all. And you will be able to guide your ship of destiny to your chosen goals.
--Dr. Robert Frost
However, in practice, as soon as I thought of my head going upward, I forgot about my neck being free and it again tightened up.
The habit of tightening the back of the neck prior to any activity (answering the phone, reaching with the hand, standing up - everything!) is nearly ubiquitous in the human race. As evidenced in the startle reflex, humans pull their head back as if in fear... and for some reason do so before every other movement. Watch people carefully. Before beginning to move, they subtly or grossly tighten the back of their neck, pulling the head back upon the spine. Standing up is an excellent example to observe. What do humans do when they decide to stand? They through their torso forward and down toward the floor. They pull their head way back on their spine. Now with the whole upper body hurdling downward, they jam their feet down and push their hips upward. Their poor spine is like an accordion, moving downward from above and upward from below. To stand, people throw themselves downward toward the floor. When you think about it, it's absolutely crazy.
Backs are strong. They can stand this kind of abuse for 40 or 50 years before major injury and chronic back pain begins. Statistics: One half of people over 50 have recurrent back pain.
Background: A few million years ago, humans stood up on the hind legs. This caused and continues to cause all sorts of problems. The hips of altered, making child-bearing much harder for human females than for animals. The muscles in the back of the neck have weakened, making us more prone to whiplash-type injuries. Another problem is that unlike animals, humans have no inbuilt instinctual patterns of correct use of the vehicle. While on four legs, the head is out front and leads the body into motion. If something happens in the distance to an animal's left, the animal's head extends forward and rotates toward the left to sense what is happening. Then if the animal decides to go in that direction, the natural first step is with the right foreleg, following the direction of the motion of the head.
Humans stand up so their heads are no longer out in front of a horizontal spinal column. So what part of the human anatomy ought to lead the body into motion? Many people lead with their hips, "trucking" and thinking that they look really cool.
Optimal posture and use in the human vehicle requires that one inhibits the habitual pattern of tightening the neck (stopping before going into action), giving directions for proper use ("let the neck be free, the head to go forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen") and continuing to focus upon this "means whereby" while going into action. This is much like Krishna's admonition to Arjuna to focus upon what he is doing and thereby do it will without thinking about the results of his activities. This is the secret of karma yoga: To avoid "end gaining" and stay in the present time, doing what you have to do well with full attention.
I could go much further into the dynamics of optimal human locomotion (a favorite topic), but for our point here I need only say that a few million years is not a long enough evolutionary time to develop instinctual patterns of optimal use of the body.
Since we don't have it built in like the animals do, for humans to develop patterns of optimal use requires intelligent self-direction. So, now armed with the requisite background, back to the issue at hand: the paradox of sequence and simultaneous presence.
When the Alexander Technique student goes for lessons, s/he is given a homework project of non-doing. S/he is to lie on the back on the floor with an adequately high stack of books under the head so that the palpable portion of the upper vertebrae of the neck are slightly higher off or the floor than the lower cervical vertebrae. The teacher will feel the back of your neck and recommend how much elevation you will need - typically 1/2 to 5 inches (for those with a thick, round torso and back, more elevation is required. The knees are bent, bringing the feet flat upon the floor near the bottom. The elbows are placed wide apart and the palms of the hands upon the front of the hips. This is called "The position of creative rest". The student is to lie like this at least five minutes per day (more is better). The body is totally passive. You are not to "do" anything. Mentally, you are to repeat to yourself, "Let the neck be free, the head to go forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen." Since you are lying horizontally, the direction of the head is actually "forward toward the ceiling and away from the body".
During the lesson, the teacher will have the student assume this position and give him/herself the "directions". The teacher will ask if the student's neck is free. The student will assure the teacher that this is so. The teacher will then gently lift the head and low and behold, the neck comes up in one piece, stiff and fixed to the head by muscular tension. The habit of holding the neck tight is so constant that we do it even while lying down and trying to relax! This awareness is frustrating! Why do we do this?
In short, we do it because when upright (sitting or standing), most every human always has their head out in front of the line of gravity through their body. As a result, we have to hold the muscles in the back of our necks tight or our head will fall down upon our chest. This results in the head being pulled back upon the top of the spine.
Then when we are told to improve our posture "Stand straight!", we pull our head even further back, making the situation even worse (increased pressure upon the intervertebral discs). Principle: When something is wrong and you directly try to change it to make it better, it usually gets worse. Without first stopping that which is wrong, attempting to correct any behavior just adds even more tension to an already tight system.
Shakespeare said, "The fool who continues with his folly shall become wise." In this context, I interpret this to mean that you must observe yourself without any effort to change what you observe for awhile before any true improvement becomes possible. Trying to change without really knowing what you are doing in the first place, and then stopping it, always fails.
So how can you learn to let your neck be free? Practicing the "apprentice piece" of Alexander Technique by assuming the position of creative rest and giving yourself the directions. With feedback from your teacher, you learn to experience that can let your neck be free when you decide to and give this direction. However, as soon as you think of anything else (such as allowing your head to move forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen), the neck immediately becomes again tight. You can give the directions sequentially, but the first is lost as soon as the second begins. Mastery of the "apprentice piece" involves learning the continue to think "neck free" while thinking "head forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen". This is made less difficult by being in a horizontal state of "non-doing".
Here is the challenge for the student: To continue to think "Neck free" WHILE giving further directions. This is the apprentice piece of the Alexander student. My teacher summed up the correct giving of directions like this: You must give yourself the directions "one after another, all at once". This is our paradox of numbers that are a sequence but also all exist simultaneously. This is the same paradox of the spheres of the Tree of Life that come into existence in a sequence that is also simultaneous.
The "master piece" of the Alexander Technique student it to continue to allow your neck to be free while directing your head to go forward and up, the back to lengthen and widen WHILE going about the activities of your daily life. This change of posture and use will have wide-ranging positive results on all levels (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual). Subjectively, it feels like a heavy overcoat, that you have been wearing all of your life without knowing it, had been finally taken off. There is lightness and grace in motion. You don't tighten any muscle any more than is minimally required for the activity in which you are involved. It is the ultimate way to be lazy.
By learning to observe your behavior without attempting to change it, your self-awareness increases dramatically. By learning to stop undesired behavior, the chance for positive change opens up to you. By focussing continuously upon the "means whereby", and ignoring the end result, you can eventually initiate truly new behavior. These principles can be effectively applied to all aspects of life.
If you will provide your body with the nutrients it needs plus the detoxification it needs... and direct it as learned in Alexander Technique, most of the typical ailments assailing humanity will not arise at all. And you will be able to guide your ship of destiny to your chosen goals.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Reprogramming a "crummy childhood"
12/10/08 08:18 Filed in: AK used in Psychotherapy
If "imperative" implies that you are willing to take a few strange and uncomfortable steps, I can suggest a method that will certainly work:
Every day you do perhaps a thousand things. Several go not as planned. I suspect that you ridicule and put yourself down about the several things wrong. "How could I be so stupid?" or as my daughter prefers, "I can't believe I did that!"
And I suspect that the ~990 other things that went right receive no inner commentary at all.
And this miserable programming is socially reinforced. When we dare to say, "Gee, I did that really well didn't I?", others cringe away and give us bad vibes. When we 'jammer' and moan, "Oh, why do I always get it wrong?", others come to us, put their hand on our shoulder, and give us uplifting comments. Exactly the reverse of what would be healthy.
Sooooo, how does one get out of this mess? The answer I will give will certainly sound childish. It is actually childlike. Think about it. Who has the most energy? Kids! And how do they talk about their accomplishments? "Mommy, look what I did!" full of pride and joy. And that gives them near endless vitality.
Recipe for reprogramming a crummy childhood:
When you get up early like you wanted to the night before, say to yourself: "There. I got up early like I wanted to. Good." Then when you brush your teeth, say, "And now I brushed my teeth, just like I decided to." When your nutritious breakfast is on the table, look at it and say aloud (if alone), "Look at that wonderful breakfast I made for myself. Yum!"
These are the kind of things little kids say to themselves. The secret to making this plan work is to put intense emotion into those childlike words. Your subconscious mind doesn't know what is a big thing and what is a small accomplishment. It only knows how much emotion you put into it. So if you say, "Gee, I tied my own shoes!" overflowing with enthusiasm, your subconscious mind thinks, "Wow, another positive accomplishment today. I'm a regelrecht goal achiever!"
When the amount of positive emotion you exude toward yourself gets to over 50% of the emotion your emote during the day, your whole world will change. It has worked for many of my students over the years, ones will lousy self-depricating childhoods, if they will dare to do this simple practice regularly.
Sure you will feel stupid at first, but do it anyway. Do it like acting. Over-exagurate the positive emotions you so feed yourself. They are the medicine you need.
Let me know if I can be of any support in the process.
Dr. Robert Frost--
Every day you do perhaps a thousand things. Several go not as planned. I suspect that you ridicule and put yourself down about the several things wrong. "How could I be so stupid?" or as my daughter prefers, "I can't believe I did that!"
And I suspect that the ~990 other things that went right receive no inner commentary at all.
And this miserable programming is socially reinforced. When we dare to say, "Gee, I did that really well didn't I?", others cringe away and give us bad vibes. When we 'jammer' and moan, "Oh, why do I always get it wrong?", others come to us, put their hand on our shoulder, and give us uplifting comments. Exactly the reverse of what would be healthy.
Sooooo, how does one get out of this mess? The answer I will give will certainly sound childish. It is actually childlike. Think about it. Who has the most energy? Kids! And how do they talk about their accomplishments? "Mommy, look what I did!" full of pride and joy. And that gives them near endless vitality.
Recipe for reprogramming a crummy childhood:
When you get up early like you wanted to the night before, say to yourself: "There. I got up early like I wanted to. Good." Then when you brush your teeth, say, "And now I brushed my teeth, just like I decided to." When your nutritious breakfast is on the table, look at it and say aloud (if alone), "Look at that wonderful breakfast I made for myself. Yum!"
These are the kind of things little kids say to themselves. The secret to making this plan work is to put intense emotion into those childlike words. Your subconscious mind doesn't know what is a big thing and what is a small accomplishment. It only knows how much emotion you put into it. So if you say, "Gee, I tied my own shoes!" overflowing with enthusiasm, your subconscious mind thinks, "Wow, another positive accomplishment today. I'm a regelrecht goal achiever!"
When the amount of positive emotion you exude toward yourself gets to over 50% of the emotion your emote during the day, your whole world will change. It has worked for many of my students over the years, ones will lousy self-depricating childhoods, if they will dare to do this simple practice regularly.
Sure you will feel stupid at first, but do it anyway. Do it like acting. Over-exagurate the positive emotions you so feed yourself. They are the medicine you need.
Let me know if I can be of any support in the process.
Dr. Robert Frost--
How to test the strong man
12/10/08 08:15 Filed in: Muscle Testing
With difficult men, the problem is that they think that if a muscle tests weak, that they are weak ...and they don't want that! With these kinds of men, I tell them the following story:
When you have a VW bus, you can run it for years with just oil and gas... and it runs about as well as a VW bus does. However, if you have a high-performance race car, it requires much fine tuning quite often to run as well as it can.
Similarly, if you have a VW bus kind of body, you find few weak testing muscles. Such a body doesn't perform at high levels, but it just keeps going. However, if you have a highly trained fit body, you will find more weak-testing muscles. Balancing the weak-testing muscles is one way you help a high-performance body to perform at its optimal level.
Weak-testing muscles have nothing to do with being weak. A strong man can still lift huge weights even when some of his muscles test weak. Balancing or "strengthening" weak-testing muscles doesn't make them stronger. Rather, it improves their fine coordination and timing.
If you tell this story well, the strong man is proud when several muscles test weak - and he allows them to test weak. When a muscle begins to weaken (while you are testing it), don't push further. Instead, ask the man if he felt the softening. Help him to become aware of the fine communication from his own body.
After balancing the patient, I "provoke" the corrections I performed. For structural corrections, I'll have the patient move around and put stress into the posture - then retest the muscles that were weak-testing. I'll similarly provoke emotional corrections and retest. I want the patient to be able to meet daily stresses without going easily back out of balance.
When I correct a specific muscle, I may touch each of the treatment points afterwards as a challenge. If one of these (NL, NV, alarm point etc.) causes the muscle to again weaken, it needs further balancing.
--Dr. Robert Frost
When you have a VW bus, you can run it for years with just oil and gas... and it runs about as well as a VW bus does. However, if you have a high-performance race car, it requires much fine tuning quite often to run as well as it can.
Similarly, if you have a VW bus kind of body, you find few weak testing muscles. Such a body doesn't perform at high levels, but it just keeps going. However, if you have a highly trained fit body, you will find more weak-testing muscles. Balancing the weak-testing muscles is one way you help a high-performance body to perform at its optimal level.
Weak-testing muscles have nothing to do with being weak. A strong man can still lift huge weights even when some of his muscles test weak. Balancing or "strengthening" weak-testing muscles doesn't make them stronger. Rather, it improves their fine coordination and timing.
If you tell this story well, the strong man is proud when several muscles test weak - and he allows them to test weak. When a muscle begins to weaken (while you are testing it), don't push further. Instead, ask the man if he felt the softening. Help him to become aware of the fine communication from his own body.
After balancing the patient, I "provoke" the corrections I performed. For structural corrections, I'll have the patient move around and put stress into the posture - then retest the muscles that were weak-testing. I'll similarly provoke emotional corrections and retest. I want the patient to be able to meet daily stresses without going easily back out of balance.
When I correct a specific muscle, I may touch each of the treatment points afterwards as a challenge. If one of these (NL, NV, alarm point etc.) causes the muscle to again weaken, it needs further balancing.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Neurological Disorganization
12/10/08 08:00 Filed in: Switching
Switching (Neurological Disorganization) can be compared to an electrical problem in the nervous system. The signaling within the nervous system has gotten reversed in one or more of the three dimensions. The most common type of switching is right-left switching. If we compare this to a direct current electrical system (like in a car), right-left switching is like a reversal of electrical polarity. Where you should find a positive polarity, you find negative instead.
Everyone with learning difficulties or coordination difficulties has (at least most of the time) right-left switching. The extreme of the range of learning difficulties is called dyslexia. In my experience, all dyslexics are right-left switched. Right-left switching is characterized by mental confusion and/or physical discoordination. When you hear yourself say "26" when you meant "62", or when you point to the right and say, "turn left here", you can be sure that you have become "switched".
At the end of a long day of sessions with patients, I have often said, "Turn over onto your back". When my patient replies, "I am already lying on my back.", I know that I have become switched (and correct this before proceeding).
Switching can have many different causes (physical-structural, emotional-mental, chemical-nutritional). A typical cause is a prior injury such as a sprained ankle that caused excess or sudden stretching of various proprioceptors in the involved ligaments, tendons and/or muscles. Although the physical damage may be long healed, the damaged proprioceptor may still be signaling that there has been a recent injury. As a result, the central nervous system responds correctly to this now incorrect signal and, as a result, causes inappropriate facilitation and inhibition of various muscles. As a result, the posture and balance of the body is incorrect, causing more compensatory reactions. This is one reason that people may still limp, even years after a leg or hip injury has healed.
Nutritional deficits, exposure to allergens or other toxic chemicals can produce switching.
Emotional or mental stress can cause switching. A conflict between what you should do and what you want to do often causes switching. When switched, you can do what you want to do and it seems or feels to you to be the right thing to do (even when it isn't). A typical example is the fat person who knows that they shouldn't eat ice cream... and then enjoys eating a half-gallon (two liters) and literally can't stop until they are unable swallow another bite.
Under enough stress, everyone will go into a state of right-left switching. When you start bumping into tables and door jams, you have probably become switched.
A child who is switched may find that his mind works well, but he is discoordinated. When the other kids make fun of how he throws a ball, he may decide that he will never be good at sports and become a "book worm" - a good student with a bad relationship to his body. This can inhibit the quality of his whole life.
People who are typically or always switched have real problems that inhibit their optimal functioning. Finding and correcting the underlying causes of switching can be a very important step toward health, optimal functioning, and a happy, well-adjusted life.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Dealing with general hypertonicity
12/10/08 07:44 Filed in: Hypertonicity
Some patients seem to test strong in all muscles, even after you apply muscle-weakening techniques such as spindle cell pinching or sedation point tapping. When I have such a hypertonic patient, the first thing I do is give them a glass of water to drink and help them to relax. It is my intention of assisting them to be aware of the subtle responses of their own body - and I tell them so. Then I put them on their back and stand over them. I gently test both anterior deltoid muscles simultaneously. In this position, I have great mechanical advantage.
Next, I strongly spindle cell pinch their anterior deltoid (on one side only). Then I ask them to be aware of the difference in the response of the two sides. I retest both sides, beginning with a very small amount of pressure and building up the test pressure until the weakened side drops a bit. Usually at this point, they hold their breath, tighten their whole bodies, call all the synergists into play and block any further motion of their arm.
When this occurs, I draw their attention to the fact. I tell them, "The muscle began to test weak and then you tightened up your body to block it from being weak. You are strong enough to add a secondary 'umph' and block the test. However, the first response of your body is the one we are looking for, not your ability to block."
Then I repeat the process. As the weakened side begins to fail in the test and the arm drops (even if only one inch), I ask them if they felt this response. If not, I ask them to watch their arm fall. Each time, I spindle cell pinch the belly of the muscle parallel to the direction of the muscle fibers (on the same one side only). When they see their arm fall, I guide them to feel it too. I request that when the muscle "gives" a bit, that that is the signal we are looking for. When they feel that sinking, they are to not add extra pressure but rather to allow their arm to fall.
Then I test them a few more times, using less and less test pressure. Soon, with this protocol, most everyone becomes easily testable!
These general hypertonic people are used to blocking in many areas of their lives. They are used to ignoring signals from their own bodies. I train them in this way to feel the subtle weakening of the one side, to admit it, and to allow it. This in itself can lead to many breakthroughs in awareness and response.
This protocol is my own and is not a standard method of AK. My book is about standard methods accepted by the top AK chiropractors and medical doctors. If this protocol doesn't work, then I will use nutrients and such as described in my book, which you can get here:
www.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Next, I strongly spindle cell pinch their anterior deltoid (on one side only). Then I ask them to be aware of the difference in the response of the two sides. I retest both sides, beginning with a very small amount of pressure and building up the test pressure until the weakened side drops a bit. Usually at this point, they hold their breath, tighten their whole bodies, call all the synergists into play and block any further motion of their arm.
When this occurs, I draw their attention to the fact. I tell them, "The muscle began to test weak and then you tightened up your body to block it from being weak. You are strong enough to add a secondary 'umph' and block the test. However, the first response of your body is the one we are looking for, not your ability to block."
Then I repeat the process. As the weakened side begins to fail in the test and the arm drops (even if only one inch), I ask them if they felt this response. If not, I ask them to watch their arm fall. Each time, I spindle cell pinch the belly of the muscle parallel to the direction of the muscle fibers (on the same one side only). When they see their arm fall, I guide them to feel it too. I request that when the muscle "gives" a bit, that that is the signal we are looking for. When they feel that sinking, they are to not add extra pressure but rather to allow their arm to fall.
Then I test them a few more times, using less and less test pressure. Soon, with this protocol, most everyone becomes easily testable!
These general hypertonic people are used to blocking in many areas of their lives. They are used to ignoring signals from their own bodies. I train them in this way to feel the subtle weakening of the one side, to admit it, and to allow it. This in itself can lead to many breakthroughs in awareness and response.
This protocol is my own and is not a standard method of AK. My book is about standard methods accepted by the top AK chiropractors and medical doctors. If this protocol doesn't work, then I will use nutrients and such as described in my book, which you can get here:
www.
--Dr. Robert Frost
Comforting the child self
12/10/08 07:43 Filed in: AK used in Psychotherapy
I recently had a female patient, age 26, who in her own words, "In my childhood, I was repeatedly beaten by both parents throughout my life, had an abortion two weeks ago, was raped when I was six years old, don't trust men and am a cutter." I asked her what a cutter is. She replied by showing me her forearms which were covered with perhaps a hundred thin scars.
When the emotional mode came up, I tested through my list and came to "Comforting the Child Self".
I tested which of her major stressors and came to the childhood rape. This is a highly charged emotional issue and requires sensitive handling to reduce the stress. Most popular psychology techniques involve mentally reliving old stressors. In my opinion, these outdated methods just rip open an old wound, create a new wound, and don't necessarily heal it at all. Sure, when there is an infection under a scar, it may be medically necessary to open it up, treat the infection, and close it again. Some psychological problems may need such "sanitizing". However, it has been my experience that one can clear or at least reduce the residual stress of prior traumas without having to emotionally re-experience them. One time was bad enough.
An extreme but telling example: I had a female patient in Basel, Switzerland who had been raped. Her Freudian analyst sat behind his large desk and asked her to describe the event to him in all possible detail, which she did. Then he replied, "Well, our hour is up for today. We'll discuss this next week." She went out in a very fragile and vulnerable state. Her body language must have revealed her vulnerability as she was raped again (by someone else) on the way home. In my opinion, her "therapist" was little more than a voyeur and a sadist.
The technique of "Comforting the Child Self" is particularly useful and effective for cases in which your client had experienced great trauma and still suffers from its after-effects.
My client was on her back on my table so I had her imagine a black and white television screen with a poor quality scratchy picture above her on the ceiling. I told her that she was to remain here with me in 2008 while she watched her 6-year-old self on the ceiling. She was not to identify with being the child, but rather with being her adult self observing. I told her that if I caught her getting into the feelings that I would bang her on the shoulder and say, "Hey, pretty bad movie, huh? Want some pop-corn?" She laughed. I told her that she was to watch the old event in fast-forward motion so she didn't have time to get into it emotionally.
She imagined the old event as I instructed. When a few tear drops ran down her cheek, I wiped them away and reminded her that although it was a sad movie, she was not to "get into it". After she watched it in this dissociated manner, I asked her if she had learned something as a result of that experience. She didn't know what I meant so I asked if she learned not to allow people to do things like that to her anymore. She answered emphatically, "Yes!" I said, "So you see, although it was terrible then, you learned things of great value that still protect you today, didn't you?" She agreed.
Then I instructed her to, in her imagination, go to her six-year-old child self and introduce herself with something like, "Hi. I'm you in the future. I'm the living proof that you survived that awful experience. I'm here now to help you." She did so. I asked if the child believed her. She said, "Yes". I told her to comfort her child self, to stroke her hair, hug her, talk to her and calm her down. When this was accomplished, I instructed her to explain to her child self, "You didn't suffer for nothing. As a result of having gone through that awful event, I (you in the future) have learned important lessons that continue to save me from bad experiences. I know it was horrible for you, but I want you to know that it was not for nothing. And it is over now so you can let go of it. I'm here for you now and I'll always be here for you. In fact, I'm the only one who will always be here for you."
When she told me that her child self believed her and was calmed down, I instructed her to extend her arms, embrace her child self, and draw her into her own chest – to bring her into her heart where she would always be taken care of.
This produced great emotional relief and even joy. My client went away to her holiday with new enthusiasm and capacity to enjoy herself.
***
Most of us recall events as if they are happening to us now. The psychological term for this is "associated". When you associate with experiences, you feel them strongly. The first step in treating an emotional trauma in the above way is to assist the client to disassociate, to "get some distance", to observe it dispassionately. To do this you imagine that you are looking at yourself from outside of the picture. Imagining that you are watching it on a movie screen is a good way. Making it a black and white movie in fast motion makes it even harder to identify with the characters in the movie and thereby helps to keep you disassociated. Once you have gained in this way some "emotional distance", you can deal with the old event without suffering in the process.
Freud taught that childhood traumas partially block the flow of our "libido", causing us to have only a fraction of our vitality available in the present.
In a way, some part of my client was still six-years-old, suffering and crying. Some part of her childhood vitality and enthusiasm had been stunted and shut away as a result of her reaction to that experience. Calming the child self, explaining to her that the event is over and that it generated valuable learnings and reintegrating the child self frees the energy that was blocked by that trauma for so long.
--Dr. Robert Frost