Native American Bodywork Practices

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

In this piece, Lewis Mehl-Madrona, who is of Cherokee and Lakota heritage, shares insights into types of bodywork practiced by Native American peoples.

All peoples have methods for hands-on therapy, what we now call bodywork. The Cherokee people of North America, for example, were well versed in body therapies and energy healing. They developed a comprehensive, sophisticated bodywork system that encompassed a form of osteopathic massage and manipulation, breath, and energy work. Central to this technique are the alternation of deep pressure and gentle rocking release. The breath was also used to reanimate the body and "draw spirit" into affected tissues. They also used crystal scanning and healing as well as the channeling of spirits and energy medicine.

The Cherokee were also familiar with acupuncture meridians and used acupuncture, with needles made of thorns or porcupine quills, in healing. A nineteenth-century monograph, the Swimmer morificecript in the Smithsonian Institute, speaks to the use of acupuncture by the "primitive savages, when every civilized person would know that the proper treatment is bleeding with leeches."

You may read the complete article here:

http://www.kripalu.org/article/401

[Medicine Eagle]

also i would love to learn these techniques! i know i have had theraputic massage before, and am very interested in this form. i know from reading up on yoga that the way you breathe can be crucial to the outcome of what you are trying to do.

tiredbraveheart

[Medicine Eagle]

[color=gray] i feel the need to appologize. in my last post here i offended some of you. that was not my intention. i sincerely appologize for the offensive statements. i hope that all who were offended will accept my sincere appologies, and that we can continue to have such a wonderful forum. it is my prayer that anyone offended will return to the forum and hopefully forgive my momentary episode of cerebral flatulence. i got started on a rant and went too far not realizing how offensive those statements would be to others.:selfbonk: p.s. i did go have my head removed from my rectum earlier, so hopefully this will prevent any further offensive comments.lol

[color=#808080] sorry,

[color=#808080] tiredbraveheart

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

You are fine.....we all have our moments of flatulence. It happens.

Hugs.

Wolfie

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Let s/he who has not uttered a brain fart cast the first stone.

So, the metaphor's mixed.

:)

[zenman]

I feel the need to appologize.

I feel the need for you to show me where you screwed up...as I'm missing it somewhere.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

LOL

however,

I agree with the Suesquatch and the Zenman.

The air smells good from here.

Peace.

[Medicine Eagle]

i had posted some statements about things done to nai and land issues. that i did not give proper thought to how caucasians and others might have felt after reading what i posted. so one of the moderators deleted my post and sent me a very nice pm explaining why. i was told there was no need to apologize since the post was already deleted. but by the time i got that message,i felt so bad that i had already apologized to anyone who might have seen it and been offended. sorry to create more confusion.

:chair: tiredbraveheart

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Thank you for the clarify, TiredBraveHeart. Yes, sensitivity is something we all need to mindful of here. Hugs to you.

Wolfie

[zenman]

Yes, sensitivity is something we all need to mindful of here. Hugs to you.

Wolfie

Yes, but sometimes a slap upside the head works for some people, lol!

[Medicine Eagle]

yes, but sometimes a slap upside the head works for some people, lol!

unfortunately zenman, i frequently am the one who needs the slap. that is why i apologize in advance most of the time. my head was starting to hurt from all the slaps:trout:. so if i ever offend you i am soooory. lol. and hugs back to you wolfie!

tiredbraveheart