Trager (Psychophysical Integration)
What is the Trager approach
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE "Trager Psychophysical Integration" METHOD
Rhythm is a big part of our lives. Shaking (rocking) is a very basic rhythm that we learn from embryos when our mothers walk. Finding our own pace in life can be a rewarding and rewarding experience. Rocking, in the right way, is the heart of the Trager method, as it can penetrate deep into our nervous system, bringing calm, serenity and an inner connection.
According to the founder of this method, Dr. Milton Trager, smooth and rhythmic movement when applied with great sensitivity and awareness, can bring about positive and long-lasting changes in the receiver.
One of the differences between Trager and massage is in the way they approach muscle tension. In Trager, we use our touch as a means of communicating with the mind of the receiver. It is the mind and the whole nervous system that we want to affect as opposed to working hard on the tense muscles as is usually done with massage. If we consider our touch as a means of conversation, how would we talk to someone who is interested in our point of view? When someone shouts loudly in your ear "do this!" (strong pressure) for how long can you stand him and be interested in hearing his opinion? But if he nicely suggests "take this into account" (gentle manipulations with "soft" hands supported by movement created with the whole body), we accept it more easily as the best choice. The biggest change usually occurs when the therapist switches off physical contact, pausing, allowing the recipient to incorporate what he or she has just experienced.
Trager is an "approach" that helps us both in our work and in our lives. We learn to develop skills so that we can do what we do (whether it is massage or dance or any other work) without much effort, easier and more efficient.
Detailed description
Trager or Trager Approach, is a holistic method, where the therapist (Trager practitioner), using the client's body weight, with gentle rhythmic movements, gentle shaking, joint mobilization, stretching and other manipulations, helps to relax, get rid of chronic pains, increased range of motion of the joints and in general physical and mental well-being.
History
Trager got its name from its founder Milton Trager (1908-1997) who started developing this method when he was just 18 years old and while he was also suffering from a chronic back disease (spondylolisthesis). He later became a doctor but continued to use his technique in parallel with medicine, having as his principle, to do at least one treatment a day, a habit that followed for about 50 years until old age and which gave him great pleasure. At the age of 69, and having presented a year before, with great success, his work at the model oolistic center Esalen Institute, he retired from medicine and devoted himself to Trager Bodywork and his teaching. In 1980 he co-founded the TragerInstitute with Betty Fuller, his first student, and since then thousands of therapists in more than 20 countries have been trained at Trager.
How does it work;
According to the Trager method, chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders are symptoms of accumulated tension that can result from an accident, incorrect posture, phobia, emotional blockage and daily stress.
In a 60-90 minute Trager session, the client is lying on a comfortable massage bed, wearing comfortable clothes or underwear or a swimsuit. The therapist, with gentle manipulations and rhythmic shakes conveys a sense of calm and comfort throughout the body.
After a period of continuous rhythmic shaking the body enters deeper levels of relaxation in which it can be facilitated to release deeply rooted unhealthy patterns of tension by affecting the subconscious. In this way, the mind "learns" these unhealthy patterns (blockages) with the result that the body is also freed from chronic states of tension and becomes more flexible with less pain.
As Milton Trager used to say, "my purpose is to influence the mind because that is where all the pain and unhealthy habits are rooted."
Hook-up and Mentastics
However, in order for this method to be effective, the psychosomatic condition of the Tragerpractitioner at the time of the session and the way he uses her techniques also play a dominant role. If the therapist is tense, anxious or trying to relax the client's muscles it will have limited effectiveness. The effort creates tension and you transfer it to the customer. That's why you train the therapist to maintain a state of calm and alertness that Milton Trager called 'hook-up'. Hook-up is like a state of motion meditation where we can use the vital energy that is always around us. This energy flows through the therapist to the client conveying to him this harmonious state of 'hook-up'. An easy way to relax and feel this state of harmony and well-being is Mentastics (mental gymnastics). These are easy exercises that we teach the client for daily use and to maintain and increase the results of the session. Some of these exercises are reminiscent of the freedom of movement that children have when playing. Children usually do not care how they look to others, so they have no restrictions on how they move. As adults, and after a lifetime of accumulated experiences that have contributed to our current situation, Mentastics will restore what it feels like to move freely with ease, comfort and pain.
What is the difference between Trager and massage?
In the Trager method, the way the therapist touches the client is more important than the technique itself. The therapist with gentle manipulations and oscillations in every part of the body, relaxes all the muscles, without intense pressure and without pain, giving a pleasant feeling of calm and lightness. Because this relaxation and relief occurs effortlessly, painlessly with the movement in the natural rhythm of the body, without the intense intervention of the therapist, (it is like training the body to heal itself), the results are long-term to permanent, as opposed to a simple massage.
In addition to the benefits for clients, there are many benefits to this method for the therapist. In massage there is usually intense physical effort that the therapist can make over time, when he works long hours every day. The way a Trager therapist works, you do not get tired and keeping a calm "hook-up" state can always have energy during a session, something that all professionals need.
The Trager, in addition to being an effective and comprehensive treatment in itself, is a valuable tool that can be used by therapists in any type of massage to facilitate them and increase their effectiveness.
More information at 6974373073
Speaker: Savvas Xenos Certified in: Trager Psychophysical Integration and Mentastics Movement Education The Trager Institute, Mill Valley, California USA
The Trager seminar is addressed to those who offer health services but also to those who like to take care of their body and health. Speaker: Savvas Xenos, certified by "The Trager Institute", Advanced Training.