Bodywork ~ Trager

Experiencing Trager
by Jack Blackburn

 

These sensations are unique, because most clients have not been nurtured and rocked in this way since they were infants.

The Trager Approach combines three main components in treating clients. The first component is tablework, which involves a gentle rocking motion combined with traction, compression, torqueing and other forms of tissue stretch. The hands are used to isolate different joints, muscles, fascia and other connective tissue. The practitioner focuses the client's awareness on the sensations he or she is feeling. These sensations are unique, because most clients have not been nurtured and rocked in this way since they were infants. The movements are highly pleasurable, comforting and impose no painful stimuli. The movement done during the session is a subtle suggestion to the nervous system of what motion is possible. None of the movements done in a Trager session are forced; the body itself is never put into positions that are stressful. The movements do not just mobilize the specific part the therapist is working on, but affect the whole body.

The second component of the work is called mentastics, a word Dr. Trager coined, which combines "mental' and "gymnastics". Mentastics are learned movements. These movements are gentle and very pleasurable. They utilize the gravitational field and momentum to stretch, open and passively move the joint or tissue in question. For this reason, the movements are carefully designed so that the muscles and joints to be addressed are passively affected, just as in the tablework. Mentastics are best described as easy, free flowing, dance-like movements. Instead of controlling the movements as in regular exercises, the patient is encouraged to “let go.”

The third component of the Trager Approach is called "hook-up". Dr. Trager used this word to describe the mental state of the practitioner as he or she works. This word literally means hooked-up or connected to the client through the sharing of a common experience. Another way of describing this awareness is that the practitioner keeps her mind "present" by focusing on the sensations in his or her own body. This is a very precise meditative technique for concentration. One might say that the client and the practitioner are sharing the same sensations or sensory information packets from opposite directions. In this way they are "hooked-up."

Summary:
Physiological and psychological holding patterns are reactions to pain directed by the unconscious mind. The Trager practitioner imparts new pleasurable sensations to reach and change the unconscious mind. Recall and reinforcement anchor these changes. During the tablework the practitioner does this verbally. After the tablework the practitioner teaches Mentastics to the client to further reinforce these changes. The practitioner who is present to the sensations in her own body can induce the same kind of awareness in the client.

The intent of the Trager Approach is to enable the client to release unconscious physical and mental limitations or holding patterns. The work promotes deep relaxation, and helps to increase physical mobility and mental clarity.

Jack Blackburn, MTS-SD, LMP, specializes in body centered spiritual growth and healing. He has been a Certified Trager practitioner for 17 years. Contact: E-mail jackblac@oz.net or web page: www.jackblackburn.homestead.com