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Positive
Health UK July 1998
Waiheke Market Place August
2001
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Positive Health UK : July
1998
A unique bodywork skill recognising the dynamic
relationship of Body Energy and Body Structure.
Balancing the deep energy flows within the skeletal
structure, integrating all levels of Body, Mind
and Spirit.
What is Zero Balancing?
 Zero
Balancing (ZB for short, pronounced Zee Bee), can
be defined as the art and skill of balancing body
energy with body structure through touch. The working
focus in Zero Balancing is the interface between
the structure of the bones, joints and soft tissues
and the energy flowing through our skeletal system.
Zero Balancing uses specific finger pressure and
held stretches, called fulcrums. A fulcrum provides
a point of stillness around which energy and structure
can reorganise, giving a person the opportunity
to let go of held tension and pain and experience
new levels of integration. The results have a gentle
power and contribute to an overall enhancement of
wellbeing.
The energy flowing through the most fundamental
level of our structure, our bones, can be most easily
evaluated at the joints. Zero Balancing focuses
on particular joints that have more to do with transmission
of energy rather than with locomotion. Examples
of these include the sacroiliac joints and the articulations
between the tarsal bones of the feet, which are
referred to as foundation joints. One of the key
characteristics of these joints is their limited
range of motion.
They have no intrinsic musculature, which allows
the conscious movement of one bone in relation to
the other.
Imbalances which occur at these joints will be below
our level of consciousness, because they lack the
proprioceptive input from the muscles. The body
tends to compensate in a broad manner for these
imbalances rather than deal with them locally. Since
these joints play such a crucial role in structural
integrity and energy transmission, small changes
here will amplify throughout the body with often
adverse consequences.
As we know the contraction and expansion of the
muscles moves the joints. The ligaments however
provide a passive support, limiting the motion of
the joint. In Zero Balancing we evaluate the structure
and energy of the body through moving the joints
until the ligaments begin to engage. The quality
of the ligaments, (be it too tight or too loose),
gives us valuable information.
Following a working protocol whereby we first evaluate
the range of motion of a joint, the fulcrums are
used to balance the body, then we re-evaluate to
assess any changes that occur. This provides us
with direct feedback whereby we can monitor the
effectiveness of Zero Balancing.
What is meant by body structure
and body energy?
 Bodywork
therapies can range from approaches in which the
body is seen as a mechanical structure to ways which
recognise its vital energy. The value of Zero Balancing
is that it works with both structure and energy.
From our knowledge of physics we know that light
can be both particle and wave, we could say that
the particle represents structure, and wave represents
energy, and that these two forms are interchangeable.
In one sense they are both energy, just different
manifestations of energy. In Zero Balancing we look
at the human body as having an energetic body and
a physical body. They are dependent on each other,
are interrelated but are not mirror images. We know
that our physical body ends at our skin and our
energy body extends beyond our skin. It is possible
to feel the heat coming from someone's body without
actually touching them; some people can see an auric
field around a person's body.
Any time we have trauma to the body, be it physical,
emotional, mental, all these will have a vibratory
aspect and to that extent will be in the energy
field. Thought is a vibration and will have an energetic
component to it.
The focus of interest in Zero Balancing is where
these two bodies meet and how they are interrelated.
Experience has shown us that anything that has a
vibratory nature can be stored in the body. When
these are imbalances, they no longer serve us (they
can occour at conscious or unconscious level). By
putting in clearer stronger force fields of energy
these can be released from our Body/Mind/Spirit.
Learning the Vocabulary
of Touch
One of the major contributions within the health
care system that Zero Balancing has to offer is
the understanding and application of "INTERFACE"
the specific therapeutic touch that is used.
First it's important to have an appreciation of
the numerous ways of touching the energy of another
person used in other approaches and therapies, in
order to clarify the distinctions.
The different types of touch used in healing and
the fundamental relationship of touch when working
with energy give us a General Vocabulary of Touch.
These are:
Blending
Streaming
Channelling
Interface
Blending
Is the deliberate blurring of the boundary between
your energetic body and another's. You fuse or merge
into each other's fields. This is an approach used
with great success in Cranial Sacral work.
Streaming
This is when the practitioner directs or allows
their energy to flow into their client. This may
be with specific intention, for example to direct
energy along a meridian to an acupuncture point
or to a particular chakra. It may be experienced
as heat, light or a current by the receiver. The
energy used comes directly from the energy bank
of the practitioner.
Chanelling
This is opening yourself up to forces beyond yourself
so that you become a conduit of transmission of
these through you to others.
Interface
The interface maintains clear energetic and structural
boundaries, establishing a clear working relationship
of conscious touch. We as practitioners are clear
where we end and where the client begins. We can
relate appropriately to our client's structure/energy,
with our own energy/structure.
The value of working at
interface
When the boundaries are unintentional lost blending
or streaming may occour. Which means that your energy
fields can merge, resulting in the possibility of
picking up things from your clients. Or the energy
will stream from you, depleting your own reserves,
or allowing the client's energy come into you thus
taking on your client's own problems. Both of these
if unintended can be potentially harmful for us.
When we have a clear interface we won’t pick
up anything from the other person.
"Burn out" is now an all to common problem
for people working in the health care field. One
of the main reasons for this is loosing the clear
practitioner/client boundaries.
With the clarity of this conscious touch we as practitioners
become clearer in ourselves, and at the same time
eliminate being drained by our clients.
Learning touch skills will
help you to:
1) Understand and be able to use touch more skilfully
and appropriately in the treatment room.
2) Develop the sensitivity at your fingertips.
3) Develop clarity and focus of mind.
4) Learn how to energetically connect and disconnect.
5) Understand how energy gets exchanged / transferred.
6) Develop an instinctive rapport, (donkey/donkey).
7) Maintain yours and your clients wellbeing.
8) Stimulate an on-going curiosity and discovery.
9) Develop a greater understanding of energy and
movement within ourselves, our clients and globally.
Donkey-Donkey Contact
The "DONKEY-DONKEY CONTACT" is another
powerful contribution that Zero Balancing has to
offer. It is a particular principle that requires
the connection with our client both energetically
and structurally, and at the same time maintaining
a clear distinct interface, all the time we know
who’s who, keeping the boundaries, and not
allowing the energies to intermingle.
The donkey-donkey contact is one of trust.
The analogy - Picture two donkeys walking
up a narrow mountain path, both donkeys are leaning
into each other, if one donkey were to suddenly
move and loose the interface connection, both donkeys'
lives would be in danger. They lean into each other
instinctively trusting each other. They are continually
adapting their contact/lean as they navigate the
terrain, feeling safe and confident with the donkey
they are leaning into.
The quality of the donkey touch is one of healing
and exemplifies safety and respect. The touch is
not sensual, ie, stroking. It is contacting the
essence of that person. Many of us are starved of
this type of touch. It can break down the feelings
of separation, alienation and loneliness, to be
replaced by a feeling of connectedness and belonging.
There is an implicit recognition that no two donkeys
are the same, what suits one donkey in terms of
strength and intensity of support, may not suit
another.
Therefore the practitioner is continually adapting
his or her quality of touch to meet the donkey of
the client.
Who benefits from Zero Balancing?
 Zero
Balancing is wonderful for stress reduction, so
anything which is related to stress can be helped
with Zero Balancing as we begin to move the energy
through the body.
When we begin to have clearer fields in the body,
what happens is that any stress that comes in will
be able to flow out more easily, allowing the person
to process stress with greater ease.
Stress can manifest itself as emotional/mental and
or physical problems.
For some a Zero Balancing session is the only chance
they have to reach a point of stillness where profound
changes may take place. It is one of the paradoxes
involved in the work of Zero Balancing that such
a simple gentle approach can have such potential
and power for change in a person’s life. Many
clients report therapeutic responses ranging from
the physical relief of pain, increase flexibility
in their body to a level of refreshing relaxation
and experience of integration.
Others report its therapeutic impact is so profound
as to evoke spiritual metaphors and being similar
to the deep peaceful state reached from intensive
meditation.
Zero Balancing can be of great help to those who
want to feel more integrated in themselves, we all
know the times when we feel "out of sorts",
at "sixes and sevens", not feeling quite
right in our self. It can help during or after transitional
periods in ones life, "when the winds of change
begin to blow in conflicting directions". Zero
Balancing significantly improves our ability to
adapt to changes that life is continually confronting
us with.
During a Zero Balancing session clients often enter
into "Expanded States of Consciousness"
as the body/mind/spirit responds and reintegrates
during and following a shift of balance or vibration.
This is a place where we become less attached to
our selves, away from who we've been taught to believe
we are, and enables us to "let go of tension
and patterns that no longer serve us". Having
a "body felt" experience can allow a faster
richer vibration going through our whole psyche,
where healing can occur faster and more completely.
Zero Balancing can allow access into early life
experiences and help to release childhood patterns
that impede growth and freedom. Much reparative
work has been achieved for those with abuse history.
Each time we provide an experience contrary to the
early imprints, a clearer touch vibration of healing,
this body felt experience becomes a truth for them
and begins to override their past patterning. A
new safe experience becomes absorbed into their
being. Whole new worlds of potential can open up.
As you can see the scope and potentials of using
Zero Balancing is wide ranging, the skilled practitioner
adapting the way they work to suit the energetic
needs of the client. Zero Balancing through its
understanding of the mechanics of body energy and
body structure, with its simplicity of transmission
and practice, its extensive therapeutic impact,
contains all the ingredients to make it one of the
most powerful forms of bodywork that we know. This
can only advance us in our quest to help and serve
others.
How did Zero Balancing originate?
The name ‘Zero Balancing’ came from a
client’s description of her experience: “I
feel so perfectly balanced; it’s almost like
I am zero balanced”. Her meaning was that she
had been brought back to the experience of an original
state.
Dr Fritz Frederick Smith, the American originator
of this bodywork approach, received his Bachelor
of Science in 1951, Doctor of Osteopathy in 1955
and Medical Degree in 1961. He practised osteopathy
and general medicine from 1957 to 1972. During the
1960's and 70's, seeking a deeper understanding
of illness and health, he became a student of yoga
and meditation as well as a certified rolfer and
a licensed acupuncturist. His scientific viewpoint
was increasingly challenged by Eastern influences
and particularly by his clinical experience of acupuncture.
In 1975, while studying with Professor J.R. Worsley
at the College of Traditional Acupuncture in England,
he evolved Zero Balancing as a project of excellence
for his Bachelor of Acupuncture degree. He has since
taught Zero Balancing internationally to thousands
of practitioners. In 1986 he published his book,
Inner Bridges, which describes the path of discovery
that led to Zero Balancing. In 1991 Dr Smith retired
from active practice and now devotes himself to
the development and teaching of Zero Balancing.
There are 13 certified teachers in the UK, 31 in
the USA and 1 in Switzerland.
Who Practices Zero Balancing?
Zero Balancing integrates a Western anatomical view
of structure with knowledge about our vital energy
and the process of healing from Oriental traditions.
With this information as background, the practical
foundations of Zero Balancing are presented with
an emphasis upon direct hands-on learning.
The Core Zero Balancing Workshops are designed to
teach health care professionals who are already
licensed to practise some form of medicine or therapy.
Although it may be used as a body work skill in
its own right, the many acupuncturists, osteopaths,
chiropractors, masseurs, physiotherapists, homoeopaths,
counsellors and others who have trained as Zero
Balancers, find that it significantly enhances their
skills and effectiveness when used in conjunction
with their primary therapy.
The Core level of Zero Balancing is presented in
two Workshops, Core 1 & Basic 2. Core 1 teaches
the fundamental theory and skills: accessing energy
through touch, balancing energy with structure,
evaluating the movement of energy in the body, and
working with expanded states of consciousness. The
participant will gain a practical understanding
of the body energies, the healing process, and a
working knowledge of Zero Balancing. By the end
of the workshop you will be able to explore the
use of Zero Balancing.
Core 2 deepens the Core 1 material, allowing for
a deeper understanding, refinement of skills, empowerment
of touch, and amplification of the ability to work
with expanded states of consciousness.
The Subject areas presented through lecture and
demonstration, followed by supervised student practice
include:
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Zero Balancing Theory |
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Eastern energy concepts as related to bodywork |
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Energy as a specific working tool; the interface
of energy and structure; the
boundaries and skills of energetic touch |
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Using Fulcrum and Vectors as ways of assisting
balancing |
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Following a process of evaluating, balancing
and re-evaluation as a working
method |
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Developing a touch that contacts structure
and energy simultaneously. |
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Western anatomy from the energy perspective;
the skeleton as the energy
armature of the body; the energetic significance
of foundation and semi-
foundation joints, and the energetics of joint
function. |
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Recognising the signs of internal change
that indicates a working state. |
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Working with altered and expanded states
of consciousness. |
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Red flags; contraindications for energy
work; when to refer to medical
profession. |
You will learn a Protocol that integrates all that
has been presented,
giving you an effective guide to working with the
whole person in a way that is
infinitely adaptable to individual needs.
My Personal Experience
In my own process of learning ZB, following on from
studying the basic Zero Balancing work, I took an
advanced workshop with the founder Fritz Smith.
I had been using Zero Balancing in my practice and
was keen to develop more understanding and sensitivity
in my hands.
On the third day of the workshop I was the fortunate
one who was going to have a session from the originator
of Zero Balancing himself.
My classmates were all eager to see Fritz give another
class demonstration. To start off with I sat down
on the edge of the treatment couch. After an initial
evaluation of my shoulder joints and lower back
I laid fully clothed on my back.
During the next 25 minutes or so Fritz worked on
me with grace and expertise, evaluating specific
joints to discover their quality of motion, then
using gentle supporting held pressures and soft
integrating stretching movements to balance my energy.
Initially I can remember thinking that not much
was happening, until I found myself drifting into
what can only be described as a very deep profound
meditative state.
To my classmates Fritz embodies the finesse of decades
of experience that is analogous to the deep level
obtained by a skilled master of Tai Chi. There’s
a certain quality of seemingly little work to the
observer but the depth of this gentle conscious
touch was certainly taking me into a deeper level
than I had experienced with any other type of bodywork.
After what had only seemed like minutes, I got off
the couch feeling more complete, calmer, taller,
freer in myself and generally more alive than I
can ever remember.
The following day I went for an early morning walk,
it was about 6.00am and I was feeling alive and
very awake. Just me, the birds and rabbits, all
the colours seemed brighter, visually everything
was clearer. I started to sing. To many this might
not seem anything special, but as a child and throughout
my early adult hood, in fact up until that moment
I hadn’t been able to sing in tune. At school
when we used to sing I would mime for fear of my
deep low voice being heard, even singing in the
bath tub was an experience to miss. I started singing
“Amazing Grace”, I could the feel years
of tension and anxiety related to singing had eased
away, I was reaching higher notes than ever before.
The work done the previous day had released the
vibration and fear I had held in my body, my whole
thoracic cage felt fuller and more at ease. The
sense of freedom and accomplishment as you can imagine
was huge. For the first time in my life I could
sing.
About Paul Cohen
Paul gained his certificate as a Zero Balancer in
1992. He has been specifically trained by Dr Fritz
Smith, the founder of Zero Balancing, as a Core
and Advanced Zero Balancing teacher. He has trained
extensively with Fritz over the past 11 years both
in the UK and USA.
Paul is the only practising qualified Zero Balancing
teacher in Australasia. He teaches in New Zealand,
Australia and internationally.
Paul qualified as an Acupuncturist in 1985 and has
also gained his Bachelorship in Acupuncture, and
completed a further course in Traditional Chinese
Medicine. He ran a busy practice in England for
over 15 years. Paul integrates both Acupuncture
and Zero Balancing in his practice. He moved to
New Zealand in August 2000 and established the ZBA
NZA.
Paul works from his home on Waiheke Island, and
The New Zealand College of Massage, Newmarket.
After being in acupuncture practice for many years
Paul was becoming increasingly frustrated by not
being able to work on the structure of his patients.
There were numerous occasions when working on the
energy alone was not getting to the heart of the
problem. Paul considered studying a manipulative
therapy. He was then introduced to Zero Balancing
by his father Leslie, who qualified as a acupuncturist
a year before Paul did, and was one of the first
group to train as a certified Zero Balancing Teacher.
(Leslie retired from his practice in 1996).
This represented a major turning point for Paul,
he found ideal body work therapy. Not only was he
able to address structural problems but also energetic
as well as emotional issues more effectively.
It can be fundamental to consider the energy component
when addressing particular structural problems.
Paul noticed that if the energy side of the equation
is not balanced the structure can go out of alignment
more easily. He also found that some energetic imbalances
did not hold as well if the structure wasn't addressed.
In Zero Balancing Paul found a wonderful technique
which enabled him to contact both energy and structure
in an powerful therapeutic way.
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