Tapping into the body’s ‘energy system’

 

Ben Swan | The New Mexican

4/17/2009 - 4/17/09

At first blush, a quiet tapping on the head and sternum doesn’t seem like it’d do the body much good. Some might even call it far-fetched. 

But don’t tell that to those who’ve experienced BodyTalk, a unique technique that’s said to resynchronize the body’s energy system. 

“I initially went into it to resolve a health issue,” said Jade Easton Grey, a longtime Santa Fe acupuncturist. “I found it shocking that it released a whole ton of other stuff. It turned out that it wasn’t just a health issue, but more of a life issue.” 

Easton Grey said the sessions have helped her, her husband and even her pets. 

“I don’t find it mysterious or farfetched at all,” she said. “There’s always a psychological component to healing.” 

It’s a common experience for many in Santa Fe who were introduced to the technique earlier this year by Laura Hames, a New York City practitioner. The January presentation and series of follow-up sessions seemed to connect with the community. 

Now Hames is returning to offer a daylong workshop. The session will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 25 at Santa Fe Soul Health and Healing Center, 2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 3. She’ll also offer a presentation at 6 p.m. Friday at the same location. 

Hames, a lifelong dancer, will also offer a workshop on the Franklin Method from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 26 at the same location. The technique uses imagery to improve coordination, strength, flexibility and performance. 

The two techniques complement each other in that they both work on body awareness, Hames said. 

BodyTalk was developed in the 1990s by John Veltheim, an Australian chiropractor, acupuncturist and longtime martial-arts instructor. He hit upon the noninvasive technique, which combines elements of Eastern and Western theories, to treat his own health problems. 

Practitioners, using a form of biofeedback, identify weakened energy circuits within the body that might be blocked for whatever reason, often stress or trauma. Attention is placed on those areas or points, and then the practitioner lightly taps the client’s head, stimulating the brain center. That causes the brain to re-evaluate the state of the body’s health. 

The goal of the technique, Hames said, is to stimulate the body’s ability to communicate and heal itself. 

The workshop, called BodyTalk Access, is a simplified version of the technique developed for everyone. It’s designed for people to immediately begin working on themselves, their friends or even their pets. 

“It’s amazing how many people have discovered BodyTalk through their pets,” Hames said, who also offered a public presentation on BodyTalk for pets while in Santa Fe in January. “They will come for their dog or cat and end up working on their own issues.” 

The five simple noninvasive techniques taught during the workshop are designed to help people find balance, relieve allergic reactions, improve hydration, decrease stress, improve posture and reduce pain. One component, called Fast Aid, is designed as a first-aid system that’s simple and safe, Hames said. 

While the workshop is for everyone — even children over the age of 7 — health practitioners would especially find it useful, Hames said, in that it can enhance their own practice. Acupuncturist Easton Grey agrees. 

“It offers another diagnostic tool,” she said. “It can really help unlock those mysteries.” 

Contact Ben Swan at 986-3051 or e-mail bswan@sfnewmexican.com.

 

All about the body

• Public presentation of BodyTalk, an energy technique to help heal and maintain the body. Learn how to balance your body and brain. 6 p.m. Friday, Sun Room, Santa Fe Soul Health and Healing Center, 2905 Rodeo Park Drive East, Building 3. $10. Animals are also welcome.

• Body Talk Access workshop. Learn noninvasive techniques to improve and maintain health. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 25. $150. Same location.

• Franklin Method workshop. Use imagery to improve coordination, strength, flexibility and performance. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 26. $110. Same location.

• To register or learn more about the talk or workshops, e-mail Hames at laurahames@me.com or speak to her directly at 917-653-8916.