Emerging Modalities: Zero Balancing®
& Soul Lightening® Acupressure
by Hadas L Amiel “We can touch a person in such a way as to take him or
her beneath levels of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty and help
I
n recent years, the notion that emotional states, memories,
beliefs and habits have a major effect on a person’s state
establish reconnection with their deepest essence.”
of health is gaining more scientific support and is becom-
~Fritz Frederick Smith, M.D.
ing more acknowledged.
In the past few decades many holistic
approaches which address all of these essen-
D
r. Aminah Raheem, originator of Soul
Lightening Acupressure, is another
pioneer in the field of body-mind
tial aspects of a human life have been devel-
therapies. Her background in Psychology (a
oped. Among them, two innovative bodywork
Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology and a
modalities which use touch to address body,
diploma in Process Work), has shaped her
mind, emotions and soul, stand out.
belief that in order to treat people effectively,
Zero Balancing (ZB) is designed to align
one needs to address the psyche as well as
the body’s structure, mainly bones and joints,
the body. After studying various bodywork
with its energy. ZB was developed in the
treatments including Zero Balancing, she
1970s by an osteopath and physician, Dr. Fritz
selected acupressure as her hands-on modal-
Frederick Smith, who also holds a masters
ity and combined it with her psycho-emo-
degree in Acupuncture. Dr. Smith realized that
tional and spiritual processing skills.
energy plays a major role in health and dis-
Soul Lightening Acupressure is based on
ease, and looked for ways to integrate Western
similar energetic principles as ZB, using simi-
medicine with Eastern energy healing tradi-
lar pressure on points within the meridian
tions through touch.
system, to open and balance energy pathways
After assessing where tension or increased
that have been blocked or restricted. As the
density are present, the ZB practitioner uses
tension held in the tissue begins to release,
gentle pressure which is applied to the ribs,
pain tends to diminish, followed by a relax-
pelvic, hip joints, feet, neck, shoulders and
ation response and a sense of inner peace.
skull. The treatment is conducted while the client lies supine
Often times, information about the issue at hand in the form
on a massage table, fully clothed.
of images, sensations, emotions and/or memories surfaces.
Bone idioms such as: “I can feel it in my bones,” “I know
Clients are encouraged to pay attention to the information
it in my bones,” “to be close to the bone” or “getting down to
being revealed and to the underlying messages. They are able
the bare bone” provide examples of cultural beliefs regarding
to release held memories and emotions, and transform them
the bone as the structure that underlies our social masks or
into a more positive message or affirmation. “The most essen-
personality and is the closest to our core. According to
tial thing we are trying to do in Soul Lightening Acupressure
Eastern concepts, the skeleton holds our “ancestral chi.”
is to facilitate a person’s soul-based development. . . . Often,
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D., a famous Jungian
patients become more aware of what they are doing in their
Psychoanalyst, writes in chapter one of her best-seller book
own bodies that promotes or obstructs their healing,” says Dr.
Women Who Run with the Wolves that “in archetypal sym-
Raheem. As the soul becomes more accessible for guidance
bology, bones represent the indestructible life force . . . our
and wisdom, they are able to heal faster and live their life to
soul-spirit . . .”
its fullest potential.
Often times, as blocked energy is released from the bone
while practicing Zero Balancing, early imprints, old trauma
“Just as lightning brilliantly floods the entire landscape
and held memories can be resolved and healed. Clients who
with a blinding flash that lasts but a split second, so it is that
receive this powerful modality often declare feeling deeply
soul lightning can instantly awaken us to our Divine essence”
relaxed, calm, energized and having an amplified sense of
~ Aminah Raheem, Ph.D.
harmony and clarity. ZB has a dramatic effect on soft tissue
pain and dysfunction, such as back pain, neck and shoulder
Hadas L Amiel PT (Isr.), LMT, is certified in Zero Balancing
pain, headaches, and general tension and stress.
and Soul Lightening Acupressure. She is an experienced body
The name “Zero Balancing” originates from a patient of worker who combines gentle hands-on modalities in a psy-
Dr. Smith, who after a session commented:” I feel so good, I cho-emotional-spiritual approach, to facilitate healing. Hadas
feel balanced, I feel like I am zero balanced.” Dr. Smith says practices at the Spectrum Center, Houston, Texas. Learn more
that the name implies on ZB esoteric effect of bringing a per- about her work and presentations at
son to the zero point of physical and psycho-spiritual balance. www.enlightenedtouch.com. i
www.naturalawakenings-houston.com Bodywork Guide 2010 9
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