Many of you have asked me what I’ve been doing to get better after a lengthy and chronic illness.
In the weeks to come I’ll share about the changes in diet, supplements, and lifestyle that have made such a huge difference in helping me heal. Our bodies are so different and interesting, and it’s been quite a journey figuring out what is healing specifically for me.
Today I want to share about BodyTalk, something that enabled me to start the healing process about three years ago.
Much like chiropractic heals through the bones and massage through muscles and soft tissue, BodyTalk heals through the energy lines of the body. Although it doesn’t seem like it, our bodies are fairly crackling with energy. (It’s what gives us a mighty good shock when we shuffle across the carpet in winter.) When the energy lines are clear we are healthy, but they get interrupted through trauma, abuse, illness, stress, or other negative things. BodyTalk clears those interruptions and gives you a flat playing field from which to heal in every area of your body. It is gentle, non-invasive, and effective.
“Each system, cell, and atom is in constant communication with each other at all times. Through exposure to the stresses of day-to-day life, however, these lines of communication can become compromised or disconnected, which then leads to a decline in physical, emotional and/or mental well-being. Reconnecting these lines of communication enables the body’s internal mechanisms to function at optimal levels, thus repairing and preventing disease while rapidly accelerating the healing process. In this way, BodyTalk stimulates the body’s innate ability to balance and heal itself on all levels.” – from Body Talk System
When I moved to beautiful Amsterdam in July 2011, I was able to receive BodyTalk from a wonderfully kind and gentle woman, Irma de Jong, at her practice Praktijk voor Reiki en BodyTalk.
She helped me tremendously. With her help I was able to diminish my body’s reaction to triggers, work through panic attacks instead of being incapacitated by them, and instilled courage and confidence where once I’d been filled with fear and insecurity. I was and am so very grateful.
Even after I moved to Australia, Irma continued to stay in touch, checking on me regularly and even setting up long distance sessions to help me through particularly difficult seasons. She is a real luv.
Recently I was able to interview Irma about BodyTalk and her experiences as a recipient and practitioner. I hope you enjoy it!
I loved walking to Irma’s office because the route led me past beautiful ivy-covered buildings and along flower-festooned canals.
How did you learn about the BodyTalk system?
The first time I heard about it was via a friend of mine in the USA, she had gone to a public lecture and received a demonstration session. My friend called to say this was what I had been searching for. At the time, 2002, there were only a few BodyTalk practitioners in the Netherlands, I booked my first session and was sold. The simplicity, the accuracy and the revealing underlying themes were astonishing.
How does it work (in simple terms)?
BodyTalk uses biofeedback to ask the body which parts need better functioning. The priority is directed by the body’s innate wisdom. Gentle tapping is used to help the brain balance and restore while tapping on the heart helps to integrate the whole so it can initiate its own healing process.
Why did you want to learn to practice it?
After I reached the level of Reiki Master, I felt the need to make the work more conscious, especially for the client. Both Reiki and BodyTalk function from the principle that the body is able to heal itself, with BodyTalk you become aware of the source of the issues. This awareness makes the healing take place on several levels of the bodymind. BodyTalk is direct and that’s what I find most appealing.
How has it been helpful to you personally?
In many more ways than I can describe. It has helped me in all levels of my life, physically, spiritually, professionally. Doing this work is the biggest gift in my life, BodyTalk has lead me here, accepting the responsibility and ‘spreading the love’.
What have you seen it do in the lives of your clients?
- Clients have had drastic improvements in their health; to be able to come to a state of well-being where emotional issues could finally be resolved or forgiven.
- Clients have been able to take steps in their lives; to leave or commit to a relationship; to make a career switch or move to another country.
- Clients have learned to change their perspective on life; in order to live life rather than cope. In all of them — be it physical, mental or spiritual — I have seen them become more aware of the role the symptoms play, and ultimately it brings them forward in their own individual process.
Are you able to help people not in Amsterdam?
Yes, I can do the distant sessions and give feedback via Skype. Here I do phone calls, but Skype works, the verbal explanation really helps.
For more information, you can contact Irma any time. She’d love to hear from you and help in any way she can.
Irma de Jong
Praktijk voor Reiki en BodyTalk
Westerdok 382
1013 BH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
http://bodytalksystem.nl/en.html
http://www.facebook.com/BodyTalkNL
Have you found help or healing through holistic options? I’d love to hear about it.
Sounds interesting, Krista! I am about to investigate Bowen Therapy here where I live. A friend, who has also had pneumonia, recommended it. Anything to get well. Take care my friend xo
Anything to get well is right, @lizposmyk:disqus !! I’ve heard good things about Bowen as well, and hope to try it soon. I’d love to hear your impressions once you’ve gone. XO
Thanks for the insightful interview Krista, sounds like a very interesting approach and especially if you found it helpful…I’ll recommend it to anyone in need of healing. Merci!
You are most welcome, @TuulaR:disqus I love it because it allowed me to process traumatic experiences without reliving the trauma in a devastating way. 🙂
Nothing like a global support network! You know we’re all rooting for you too! Looking forward to your next posts!
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, dear @9d73767d10227efff04c7307e331304c:disqus XO Your support means the world to me. 🙂
So interesting. I’ve never heard of Body Talk before but it sounds fascinating and if it works for you, then embrace it! =) I’m looking forward to reading the rest of what you share on the healing process. I’ve gleaned a lot from what you’ve shared before. XO
I’d never heard of it either, @breannemosher:disqus , but was so desperate at that point I was willing to try anything! 🙂 I was so thankful to see it actually work and enable me to emerge stronger, more peaceful, and with deeper understanding. 🙂 XO
I really needed to read this today to be reminded that I’m not alone. BodyTalk sounds really interesting! I have been suffering from chronic illness most of my life and only just found out recently when things started crashing. Can you believe that? Today was a particularly tough day! I find that mental and energy things that I do when I’m feeling well really get me through the days when I’m not. Looking forward to your upcoming posts! ~Andrea.
You are definitely NOT alone, @inspiringtravellers:disqus XO Not at all. I’ve been dealing with this for 18 years and it’s been horrible. I’m so sorry you’ve been dealing with this too and that today is so awful. Biggest of hugs to you, my friend, and much hope that you find the things that are healing for you. XO
This is so interesting, thank you for the information Krista. I will read up about BodyTalk. I love EFT Tapping which works on the energy pathways in our body. I have recently introduced it to my clients (I’m a hypnotherapist and NLP coach). The results have been amazing for some of them. One young woman I started working with last week has released the pain of childhood sexual abuse that she has carried for two decades. She had ‘talk therapy’ for 18 months before I met her but after one session of EFT she said she went to bed that night without being weighed down by her usual feelings of disgust. When I saw her again this week she didn’t feel the need to cover the abuse again and we moved on to other aspect of her difficult childhood. I’d asked her before our first session how she was physically and she said she’d had a bad back ‘as long as I can remember’. In the evening after that first session she told me she bent down and touched her toes, something she can only usually do after warming up her back for a while but she did it straight off. We carry emotional trauma in our bodies and as she is releasing that trauma her body is feeling better.
I loved reading this story, @438b80d4b59e9d2604293aabcc62d9ce:disqus 🙂 I’m SO thrilled you were able to help this woman. I’m amazed at how emotions affect our bodies so strongly, and so thankful for people like you and Irma who are here to help us heal. I’d love to learn more about NLP and hypnotherapy if you’d like to share. 🙂
Is this similar to EFT but done in a different way? It sounds like it came to you at just the right moment. I’m off to do some investigating!
I’m not familiar with EFT, @OrgasmicChef:disqus , so I can’t compare. But I’d love to hear what you find out! 🙂
The connection of the body, mind and spirit so very important.
I agree completely, @4051406338aaef5dd8bf9775f8ab662d:disqus I didn’t realize how intricately they were connected, but I’ve learned so much and I’m learning to take care of ALL of me. 🙂
I’ve never heard of this but it sounds like such a great way to encourage healing from all angles!
It was new to me too, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus , and I’m so glad it was so healing for me. 🙂