Breema

The development of the Breema bodywork began in 1980 in a group of several people who came from different schools of bodywork in Oakland (USA). It built on traditional roots, but was and is independent of them in its orientation and further development. The aim of this method is the "presence" of the practitioner. In such an atmosphere of presence, not only the practitioner but also the client should be able to experience the unity of body, mind and feelings.

Basics

The Breema bodywork consists of individual (self-Breema) and partner exercises, which are carried out on a soft surface on the floor with clothes on. They include elements such as stretching, leaning, stroking, holding, as well as a variety of playful, rhythmic movements that are performed "with the whole body" and are at the same time determined and yet gentle. The connection that the person carrying out the work has with their own body plays an important role here. The practitioner's mind, which is usually occupied with naming, comparing, judging, etc., is given the task of registering one's own body in the Breema exercise. “As a result, thinking is integrated into the bodily events and reinforces the experience of the present, instead of commenting on the experience.” In experiencing one's own presence, the supporting and nourishing quality of the whole of existence can be experienced.

“As soon as I connect with the weight and breath of my body, I experience my presence. This gives me the opportunity to accept what I see. This also carries over to my exercise partner. […] Giving and receiving take place simultaneously. This goal of experiencing myself in my own presence while interacting with the other is a rich source of experience. [Translation from English by the author] "

The nine principles

The practitioner works with the following nine principles:

• The body is comfortable

If we see the body not as something separate but as an aspect of a unified wholeness, then there is no room for discomfort.

• Nothing extra

In order to express our true being, our being, nothing additional is necessary.

• Determination and gentleness

Real certainty is always gentle, real gentleness is always certain. When we are present, we naturally manifest positivity and gentleness at the same time.

• Full participation

The most natural way to move and live is with full participation. Full participation is possible when body, mind and emotions are united in a common goal.

• Mutual support

The more our being, our being, participates, the more we are able to support life and to recognize that existence supports us. Giving and receiving support happens at the same time.

• No judgment

In the “no judgment” atmosphere, we can accept ourselves for who we are right now. When we come into the present, we are free from judgment.

• Only moment - only activity

Every moment is new, fresh, very lively. Every moment is an expression of our true nature, perfected in itself.

• No rush - no interruption

In the natural rhythm of life energy there is no rush and no interruption.

• No exertion

When we let go of the concept of separation, we also let go of effort.

aims

Every move in every Breema sequence requires the application of all of the above nine principles. As you practice any sequence, you should gradually discover each of the principles. The Breema bodywork sees itself as a supportive method to experience these universal principles and their application to any other activity in life. By experiencing the moment and one's own presence, a gradual self-distancing (“disidentification”) from the identification with the respective thoughts and feelings is sought. The Breema bodywork is not a specifically symptomatic technique with an underlying therapeutic personality, disease and relationship model.

Target groups

The Breema bodywork is aimed at people of all ages and is offered in addition to individual sessions in free and target-group-specific courses (e.g. on psycho-hygiene and burnout prophylaxis for nurses, teachers, psychotherapists).

criticism

The Weltanschauung commissioner of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg comes to the conclusion in his analysis that the Breema method is a "body therapeutic outsider method, the concrete measures of which largely coincide with known modes of action". The ideological orientation follows non-binding general esoteric principles. The ideology commissioner of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg revised his criticism of Breema from 2010 in November 2019 and removed it from his homepage. He justified his re-evaluation as follows: "In principle, such body-oriented methods (another example are meditation methods) are not strictly bound to ideological patterns of interpretation, but can be religiously and ideologically differently located, including neutral and secular. [...] There are examples for such an increase in professionalism also otherwise, for example the offer of yoga methods in the medical field. Therefore, the above assessment can now be omitted. " (Source: Correspondence between the author B. Karger and the Weltanschauung commissioner of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg Ms. Pastor Annette Kick from October 21, 2019)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} M. Angermayr (2009): Dasein-Breathing-Mindfulness, existential analysis and pre-reflective physical experience. Existential Analysis 26/2/2009, pp. 99-104. "
2. ^ C. Gray (2007): Breema: A New Relationship with Myself. Awareness Magazine, May / June 07. [1]
3. ↑ J. Schreiber (2008): Breema and the nine principles of harmony. Breema Center Publishing, Oakland, USA.
4. ↑ J. Schreiber; D. Berezonsky (2003): Self-Breema - Exercises for a Harmonious Life. Richard Pflaum Verlag, Munich, Bad Kissingen, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Heidelberg.
5. ↑ D. Ehl, P. Schneider (2002): Breema. In: R. Dornieden (Ed.): Paths to body awareness. Pflaum Verlag, Munich.
6. ↑ L. Reddemann (2003): Some thoughts on mental hygiene and burnout prophylaxis by trauma therapists. Experiences and hypotheses. ZPPM 1st year (2003), ISSUE 1, pp. 79-85.
7. ↑ D. Michaelis, G. Bachmann, M. Tscherny (2010): Self-care for teachers and Breema® principles. In: D. Michaelis, G. Bachmann (Ed.): Lifelong learning - joyful and integral. Ibidem Verlag, Stuttgart.
8. ↑ Hemminger: Breema - body work (PDF) ideological representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg. Retrieved on July 27, 2010.  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  

Web links

• Breema Center (Oakland, USA)