In body psychotherapy we often encounter the term "body-mind". The body-mind concept emphasizes the importance of taking a holistic approach to health and well-being, addressing both physical and mental aspects in order to achieve a sufficient state of well-being. When we acknowledge this interconnectedness, we open the doors to profound insights and reveal the deep-seated truth that our physical and mental states are intertwined and affect each other in various ways. They're intimately connected and the mind can influence the body and vice versa.

This is what I like about body psychotherapy. What is fascinating about body psychotherapy is its fundamental belief that both the mind and the body need our attention. It refuses to limit itself to merely exploring the mental aspects or to downgrade the body to a secondary role. Instead, it invites us to embrace the totality of our being and recognize that our journey toward well-being encompasses so much more.

But how much focus should we place on the mind and how much on the body? As we delve deeper into this question, we realize that the mind is more than just the mental aspects we commonly associate with it. It goes beyond the realm of thoughts and perceptions to include feelings, willpower, and spirituality. The body is only one piece of a large puzzle that is complemented by the emotional, mental, intentional and spiritual dimensions of our existence.

In Core Energetics, a form of body-oriented psychotherapy, we speak of the map of personality, which includes five interconnected levels of being that are essential to human development and well-being.

At the base is the body level, a vessel that houses our experiences and sensations. The body level represents our physical body with its senses, organs, muscles and physical sensations. It's the starting point of our existence in this 3D reality, and through our body we experience the world around us.

As we move upward, we pass through the emotional level which represents our emotions, feelings and desires. Here we experience pleasure, joy, love, anger, fear and all other emotions. Our emotions are an essential part of our human experience and provide us with valuable information about our needs and wants.

As we ascend further, we encounter the mental level, which represents our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and intellectual explorations. This is where we create our reality and form a picture of the world around us. Our mental level shapes our perception of ourselves and our place in the world.

But our journey doesn't stop here. As we ascend even further, we discover the will level, a powerful force that empowers us to make decisions, embody our desires, and manifest our intentions. The Will Level represents our willpower, our intention, and our decision-making ability. Here we access our motivation, drive and determination to do something towards our purpose. Our level of will enables us to overcome obstacles and make choices that align with our values. Our intentionality is the bridge between the physical and spiritual levels.

And finally, at the pinnacle of our being, we find the spiritual level, where a profound connection to something greater than ourselves awakens. Here we experience a sense of meaning and purpose of our lives. Our spiritual level helps us find a sense of peace and fulfillment. It is a place of gratitude that can also provide us with guidance and support in difficult times.

Each level of our being is important and interconnected. As we humans channel our energy into all these levels of being, they need to be integrated so that we can experience wholeness and well-being.

That is a very good question. If you have problems on a certain level, you should make sure that the people who treat you on a certain level also have a broader understanding of other levels. It would be ideal if doctors also had a deeper understanding of the emotional level, psychotherapists had a better understanding of the physical level, teachers had a better understanding of the spiritual level, and so on.

We need specialization. Doctors are great at their job and so are psychotherapists. But to really see a person in their entirety, you have to be open to all levels of our existence.

So if you're looking for help, finding someone who pays attention to and works with all five aspects of our existence is ideal. When you go to a body psychotherapist, there is a greater chance that he/she will invite you to embark on a quest for harmony, understanding and balance on all five levels and to appreciate the connection between body, feelings, emotions, mind, will and spirit and to recognize that true well-being comes when we embrace our entire being.

Body psychotherapy is a transformative journey where the wisdom of your body meets the depths of your mind and spirit, and together they unravel the mysteries that lie within. During your body psychotherapy process, you'll discover the immense power that lies within you, waiting to be recognized and integrated - all with the intention of embracing a profound journey towards self-discovery, empowerment, and achieving a vibrant,

Yes, we can. In my experience, the thing people are most likely to be able to do themselves is standing as one of the grounding exercises. But this isn't about conceptual building but rather practical exercises. We will direct the energy from the brain into the body.

While standing, you will soon have some sensations on a physical level. Standing is also a good exercise because you will encounter unpleasant feelings sooner or later. Then, of course, you need to know how to deal with them. People usually have many questions about the exercise; when we stand, we need to activate our will. Standing is also a spiritually optimal position because you are closest to the sky and the same time still in contact with the earth.

If you want to learn more about grounding, you can join the Grounding Fundamentals course.

In Core Energetics, a form of body-oriented psychotherapy, we speak of the map of personality, which includes five interconnected levels of being. Each level is important and because we channel our energy into all these levels of being they need to be integrated so we can experience wholeness and well-being.

Let the wisdom of your body meets the depths of your mind and spirit!