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Technique explores mind, body and soles
Many say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but practitioners of the Grinberg Method would say it is your feet.
The Grinberg Method has only recently been introduced into the UK although it is well established in Switzerland, Israel, Germany, Austria, Spain and France. Often confused with reflexology and massage, there is one crucial difference; Grinberg isn't a treatment.
Caroline Hodgson from Hebden Bridge is one of six qualified Grinberg practitioners in the UK. The others are in London and Scotland, and ironically Hebden Bridge.
"Julia Brett has moved to the UK from Berlin and we are planning to do some work together although it is a complete coincidence that we've both moved to Hebden Bridge." Caroline works out of the Hope Centre, a series of large, airy rooms.
The Grinberg Method was developed by Avi Grinberg in the 1980s. Practitioners start with a foot analysis, hence the confusion with reflexology, and then work on the entire body as well as the feet with strong deep manipulation (hence the confusion with massage.)
The Grinberg practitioner aims to build up a partnership with their client, to identify how they use their body in specific situations.
"For example," Caroline explains, "a shy person might try to physically shrink when meeting other people, reducing their breathing and creating tension around the shoulder and neck, which will eventually lead to pain and symptoms.
"This pattern of behaviour may have become ingrained over years and may take time to undo."
The idea is that practitioners teach their clients how to become more in tune with their bodies and take responsibility for their own well being. "In this sense we don't claim to be healers, and we don't have anything to say about their lifestyle," says Caroline.
In my case my feet told Caroline that I had neck and shoulder problems, nothing too unusual there, as few journalists who spend the day slumped over their computer madly typing away don't suffer from a stiff neck.
Further examination, particularly of my right little toe and especially the nail, told Caroline that I suffered headaches. I do suffer migraine and did have a splitting headache.
Some people who have tried Grinberg say that the foot analysis not only reveals physical symptoms but emotional and psychological ones as well. Either I didn't have any or they were too shocking to divulge in an hour-long session. Anyway Caroline announced that she would work on my neck and shoulder after my feet, as this should help my headaches.
At times the massage, for want of a better word, can be pretty painful but Caroline explained throughout what she was doing and why. By the end of our hour session I did feel rather light-headed, but the pain from my shoulder had gone and my headache had eased.
Caroline, a writer, got interested in Grinberg two years ago after reading an article. "I was instantly hooked," she says, "not only as a client but as a practitioner."
An hour and a half foot analysis costs 35 and a one- hour session costs 30. Contact Caroline on 07968 731521, email caroline@the cjhwordservice.co.uk or visit www.grinbergmethod.com
On September 4, 5 and 6 there will be a weekend of Grinberg Method Workshops at The Hope Centre, Hebden Bridge. Contact Caroline Hodgson on 07968 731521.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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