Breema
Breema is a holistic system that includes hundreds of partner bodywork (Breema bodywork), self-care exercises (Self-Breema), and universal principles (the Nine Principles of Harmony)[1][2]. Breema and Self-Breema exercises express the Nine Principles of Harmony upon which they are based. These principles claim to be distilled from the universal laws that govern life, and consequently, the body, its health, and its relationship to the energetic and physical aspects of the universe. The philosophy of Breema is derived from these same laws.
Students of Breema learn health enhancing exercises and sequences that support mind-body connection and experiential understanding of the discipline's underlying nine principles of harmony: Body Comfortable; No Extra; Firmness and Gentleness; Full Participation; Mutual Support; No Judgment; Single Moment/Single Activity; No Hurry/No Pause and No Force. Movements embody these principles, and are meant to carry over into the practitioner's life outside of Breema.[3]
Origin
The Breema Center was founded by Jon Schreiber, D.C, and a core group of individuals. Dr. Jon Schreiber studied extensively with Malouchek Mooshan and founded the Breema Center (in Oakland, California) in 1980[4]. Today this bodywork system, with its practical tools for becoming more present and available to life, is taught worldwide[5].
Breema Bodywork and Self-Breema Exercises
Based on a profound yet practical understanding of the unifying principle of all life, Breema includes Self-Breema exercises as well as Breema bodywork, an extensive collection of treatment sequences through which practitioner and recipient can actualize physical, mental, and emotional balance and harmony. Breema bodywork employs nurturing, tension-relieving stretches and movements to create physical, mental, and emotional balance, in an atmosphere of harmony and non-judgment[6].
Self-Breema refers to a vast repertoire of exercises that are a part of the comprehensive system of Breema. Each bodywork sequence and Self-Breema exercise is a perfect expression of the Nine Principles of Harmony, including the form of the treatment, its atmosphere, the practitioner-recipient dynamic, the practitioner's quality of touch, and the purpose and effect of the treatment or exercise. The philosophy and principles of Breema address the essential nature of life, the deeper meaning of health and how to actualize it, and the means of gaining practical, self-verified knowledge that can lead to an understanding of our unique potential as human beings[4].
Nine Principles of Harmony
Underlying Breema bodywork and Self-Breema exercises are Nine Principles of Harmony[2]:
- Body Comfortable
- No Force
- No Judgment
- Mutual Support
- Single Moment/Single Activity
- No Extra
- Firmness and Gentleness
- No Hurry/No Pause
- Full Participation[7]
Training & Certification
The Breema Center in Oakland is the world headquarters for training and certifying instructors and practitioners. It offers a 165-hour practitioner certificate program in Breema bodywork. The required hours include a series of classes that lead to proficiency in a wide variety of sequences and Self-Breema exercises, along with a thorough knowledge of Breema principles. The Breema Center is approved to offer continuing education for massage practitioners and bodyworkers by the NCBTMB (#145251-00), registered nurses by the California BRN (#03852), and LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs by the CAMFT (#128568).
Breema practitioners and instructors are available worldwide. The Breema Center maintains an up-to-date website that lists their contact information, as well as classes, workshops and events.
References
- Gray, Carrie. "Before Knowing, Being". Shift Magazine. 8.
- Sendrey, Alexandra Johnson and Eileen (2019-09-18). "Breema: Parenting with the Nine Principles of Harmony". The Breema Center. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- Gerber, Suzanne (January–February 2010). "The Art of Being Present". Pilates Style Magazine.CS1 maint: date format (link)
- "Positive Health Online | Article - Self-Breema - Exercises for Harmonious Life". www.positivehealth.com. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- Gibb, Andi (2019-08-06). "Being Present with Children - The Breema Touch". The Breema Center. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- Schrum, Christine. "Breema: Bodywork's Best Kept Secret". Iowa Source. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
- Peros, Kate (2019-08-11). "Heaven in this moment". The Breema Center. Retrieved 2020-02-02.