Hakomi Integrative Somatics is a therapeutic bodywork that draws on Taoist and Buddhist philosophy to explore the true self and reshape automatic attitudes for personal growth. It involves practical bodywork, verbal expression, and experimental situations in a safe environment. It has diverse applications, including for survivors of trauma and abuse and in group settings like couple and family therapy.
Hakomi Integrative Somatics is a form of therapeutic bodywork that draws on certain attributes attributed to Taoist and Buddhist philosophy. These qualities include compassion, kindness, organic intuitiveness, and awareness. Developed in the mid-1970s by therapist Ron Kurtz, hakomi integrative somatics also reflects the principles of several contemporary mind-body therapies, such as bioenergetics, hypnosis, and neurolinguistic programming.
The word hakomi translates from Hopi to mean “How do you relate to these many realms?” Simply put, this question is meant to prompt an exploration of the true self as opposed to the usually projected-to-the-world identity. According to the basic principles of hakomi integrative somatics, the true self is defined by the culmination of past memories and experiences. The goal of hakomi integrative somatics is to help the individual discover this foundational material from which patterns of mind and body emerge. These patterns are referred to as automatic attitudes.
Automatic attitudes reside, of course, in the unconscious mind. They shape self-perception and characterize what appear to be intrinsic behaviors, personality traits, and emotional temperament. Body posture and mannerisms are also perceived as regulated by automatic attitudes. The role of hakomi integrative somatics is to bring these beliefs and patterns into the conscious mind for in-depth exploration and evaluation. More importantly, the hakomi integrative somatics strive to reformulate them.
While hakomi integrative somatics involves a certain degree of practical bodywork, it also involves a good deal of verbal expression. It can also include participating in experimental situations, tempered by a non-judgmental and safe environment. Indeed, there are three basic steps in hakomi integrative somatic therapy designed to promote a safe journey from discovery to overcoming the limiting source material.
The first task of the professional is to establish a relationship with the client. The therapist can then gradually introduce a variety of techniques designed to reveal, or even trigger, responses dictated by the client’s existing automatic attitudes. Ultimately, the goal is to enable the client to retool their source material, in effect reshaping automatic attitudes to bring about personal growth. Additionally, job progression depends on the individual’s willingness to study and self-evaluate. Indeed, at the heart of hakomi integrative somatics is the belief that work must remain self-directed to achieve meaningful rewards.
Because an individual’s source material can be considered under a variety of physical and psychological conditions, hakomi integrative somatics has an equally diverse number of applications. This work can be especially helpful for survivors of trauma and abuse. Hakomi integrative somatics also has a place in group settings, such as couple and family therapy.
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