Over several decades I have had the privilege of exploring, studying and applying a variety of natural therapies. One in particular that I am fond of is known as Breema. The practice is simple yet profound. It is precisely written so I will share some of the excerpts taken from Breema — Essence of Harmonious Life by Jon Schreiber, founder of the Breema Center in Oakland, California. He travels the world teaching and has written several books to support a deeper understanding of this practice. Jon learned Breema from Malicheck Mooshan, as described below.
Breema Bodywork’s name comes from the village in the Kurdish mountains where the therapy originated. The practice has been passed down through the generations by local masters. Malicheck Mooshan learned this form of healing from his grandfather and then brought it to the United States, where he developed a teaching center during the 1980s. Working with its nine principles of harmony creates balance and cooperation between the mind, body and feelings and awakens and revitalizes every cell of both the practitioner and the recipient. Like other Eastern forms of bodywork, Breema Bodywork recognizes that the act of cultivating the life-force energy, known to Kurds as del-aka, as an essential part of healing.
The applied bodywork, done on a fully clothed client lying on a padded floor, uses a variety of techniques ranging from the simple holding of points on the body to movements that enhance flexibility and dexterity. From the traditional point of view, Breema Bodywork should balance all the energy systems as a part of daily life, so the delicate or vigorous sequences of body movements used in activities such as forming bread dough or doing farm work are also employed. The bodywork is similar to Thai Massage in the way the body is rhythmically flexed by the practitioner’s forearms, feet, knees and hands, but differs in the types of brushes, bends, rhythmic stretches and holds that are used. Breathwork is also incorporated with stretches during the treatment. As with most energetic modalities, the work is intended to activate the body’s own self-healing forces.
There are Nine Principles of Harmony in Breema. They are most useful tools when trying to quiet the ever-chattering mind. They are principles to live by, not just to apply when doing the bodywork.
Body Comfortable – The first principle of Breema is Body Comfortable. Take a few breaths, and experience that your body is breathing, and that your body has weight. Almost immediately you can experience the refreshment of becoming available to yourself and to your immediate situation. Real comfort is a dimension of consciousness where everything is working in harmony with our timeless nature.
No Extra – We exist as a part of the whole of existence, in perfect harmony with the whole. To express our true nature, nothing extra is needed. When our being is participating, we are able to accept our thoughts and feelings because they no longer hide our true nature or keep us from living life in harmony with existence.
Firmness and Gentleness – Firmness and gentleness are never separate. They complement each other. In firmness and gentleness we can find the possibility of harmonizing our mental and emotional activity, so that they can support each other. Firmness comes from the knowledge that “there is a body.” Gentleness comes from the presence of our natural feelings which, nonverbally, express gratitude for being alive. When we are present, the body naturally manifests firmness and gentleness.
Full Participation – The most natural way of moving and living is with full participation. Full participation is possible when body, mind and feelings are united in a common aim. When the mind and feelings participate fully in the activity of the body, they are free from the associative thoughts and reactions and we can let go of imaginary separation. The taste we receive of full participation is the taste of a unified presence.
Mutual Support – Any time you give support, mutual support is taking place, because you are receiving support simultaneously. When you are in a position to give support, it is because you have been supported to be in that position. At any moment you manifest in harmony with your understanding, in harmony with your conscience, in harmony with your true nature, you are being supported.
No Judgment – Our thinking mind is incapable of comprehending the timeless nature of reality. The mind thinks in concepts, imagining everything to be outside of itself. That is the root of our judgmental attitude toward life. The present is the domain of our being, not of our mind. Through being present and actualizing the principles of no judgment, an atmosphere of acceptance is created.
Single Moment, Single Activity – When you are present, there is a single moment. Your receptivity to the moment becomes a single activity. In the absence of thought and feelings, you enter into the present, and there is one moment and one activity.
No Hurry, No Pause – Through connection to the body, we enter the present. Our being participates, without hurry or pause, and our rhythm is the rhythm of existence. Our movements and activities are in harmony with the natural flow of life energy.
No Force – Moment after moment, awareness emanates, and the timeless process of existence flows without force. To be in harmony with existence is our nature. When we express our true nature, we use no force. All that’s necessary is to let go of assumptions of separation.
These principles take a little more digesting than a mere glance. I hope something strikes a curiosity in you to explore more. Breema is available at The Nurture Nook Day Spa, with other practitioners in the Nashville area.
