WHAT IS BIOENERGETIC
ANALYSIS?
“Bioenergetic Analysis combines the work
of the body and the mind to
help people resolve their emotional issues.”
Alexander Lowen, Founder
Bioenergetic Analysis, also known as
Bioenergetic therapy, is a holistic form of relational psychotherapy based on a
developmental analytic approach. It seeks to understand the personality through
the body and its energetic processes. In order to bring about the conscious
integration of mind and body, the focus is both on the psychological issues
presented and the manifestation of those issues as shown in the individual’s
body, energy and movement.
Because patterns of muscular tension
reflect an individual’s emotional history, this therapeutic modality utilizes
active involvement of the body in psychotherapeutic interventions. Over its
more than 45 year history, Bioenergetic Therapists have developed physical
exercises which address a person’s physical, emotional and intellectual
patterns. These interventions can relieve the chronic muscular tensions, thus
fostering a greater sense of well-being and increased aliveness and
pleasure.
Bioenergetic Analysis works with
Grounding, Breathing and Character Structure.
- Grounding relates to one’s emotional
security and personal authority. When we stay in our heads and deny the
experience of our bodies, we lose contact with our internal sense of support.
Grounding restores the physical and emotional sensation of support.
- Breathing vitalizes and energizes our
bodies. Our breathing patterns reveal defensive blocks in our bodies through
muscular contractions. Full and unrestricted breathing increases our energy
level, our access to pleasure and our capacity for feeling.
- Character Structure indicates the manner
in which we limit the energy flow in our bodies and is indicative of the coping
patterns we used to fend off the vicissitudes of growing up. Understanding our
Character Structure gives insight into our defensive posturing, our personal
histories and suggests a possible course of therapy.
Bioenergetic Analysis reflects the
current understandings in the field of developmental psychology. Through the interaction between the client and the therapist in the
therapeutic relationship, the client moves to a greater sense of wholeness,
confidence and enhanced self-esteem with an increased capacity to create and to
participate in satisfying relationships.
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