The Experience of Breath
MIDDENDORF BREATHWORK
What is Middendorf Breathwork?
Pioneered since 1935 in Berlin, Germany, by Professor Ilse Middendorf, who opened her first institute for The Perceptible Breath (now called The Experience of Breath), is dedicated to the discovery of how our natural breath—as it comes and goes on its own—has the power to support the healing of the Self in its entirety. This approach is one of the few somatic works, which focuses on how healing can occur within the individual, without manipulation or disturbance to the natural breath and its rhythm, to clear through restrictions and conflicts. Rather than approaching a client’s symptoms in a crisis-oriented, one-spot only manipulation or direction, this work addresses the healthy core of the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Clients and students learn to become self-responsible for their own healing.
How Does a Person Learn Middendorf Breathwork?
The two most recognizable forms of Middendorf Breathwork, The Experience of Breath, include:
1). Breath and Movement Classes which focus on easy exercises to open spaces in the body and direction for the breath to flow on its own—without control or manipulation, and
2). Individual Hands-on Sessions in which a dialogue develops between the client’s breath and the practitioner’s hands, which listen to support the breath’s natural rhythm and its potential to grow throughout the body. The freedom of the breath movement that occurs throughout the person’s being ensures that all innate healing systems are free to work unimpeded.
For example—experience and common sense shows that if breath and its movement are constricted, lungs can be impeded by the ribs, the diaphragm can develop a pattern of holding, backs can become restricted in movement which can cause pain. Illness can develop, which affects not only the body, but also the state of mind and emotions. If the healthy core of the Self is approached by allowing the breath to move through restrictions, symptoms begin to dissipate, and for some to dissolve entirely.
As clients and students develop more awareness of their natural movement of the breath, exercises shift from breath arising out of movement, to movement arising out of the natural movement of the breath. As a result exercises change and eventually fall away as they no longer become necessary.
While today there are medical advances, antibiotics, drugs, and a giant array of body therapies and somatic works, Middendorf Breathwork, The Experience of Breath, looks first to the person’s own Self and the natural breath for a very lively way to help bring into balance the body’s own healing resources. It is also an effective approach, which supports the healing by other modalities.
Do Breath and Movement Classes and Hands-On Sessions Work Together?
Breath and movement workshops, classes, and individual sessions complement one another in deepening a person’s understanding, though clients can choose either one form independent of the other. Since individuals differ in desire, need, or depth of interest, the number and frequency of classes or hands-on sessions vary. A series of five classes or one weekend introduces participants to the work. A series of 5-10 weekly hands-on sessions is recommended for clients to experience full benefit.
What is the Cost?
Two full-day workshops cost $135, classes range from $5-$15 per class of one and a half hours, and one hour individual sessions from $60 to $90 (for the director).
What training is required of certified Middendorf Breath practitioners and teachers?
All teachers and practitioners are certified after a three-and-one-half-year intensive training program, which includes in depth work in classes and individual sessions, as well as supervised teaching and hands-on practice. Most practitioners also participate in post-graduate courses—at least yearly, and often more frequently. Some practitioners become assistant teachers in training programs. To become an independent trainer takes 7 years—being an assistant, then a team-teacher in training programs, participating in post-graduate training, leading workshops, maintaining a private practice, and with approval by Ilse Middendorf and Juerg Roffler. The U.S. Middendorf Breath Institute lists practitioners by city and state. Personal referral is one of the best guides.
Contacts:
The U.S. Middendorf Breath Institute
830 Bancroft Way, Suite 104
Berkeley, CA 94710
(phone and fax) 510-981-1710
(e-mail: juero@rcn.com)
Visit on the Web site www.breathexperience.com
Margot Biestman for private sessions, breath and movement classes, workshops, or retreats:
Sausalito, CA Phone: 415-332-0279; Fax: 415-332-5588
e-mail: margot@breathexperience.com
Visit on the Web site www.breathexperiencemargot.com
MARGOT BIESTMAN is a certified practitioner of Middendorf Breathwork, member of the teaching and training staff of the Middendorf Breath Institute, and has a private practice in Sausalito and Sea Ranch. She is also an author and artist. She has extensive experience in education with people from ages 3-93.