Integrate Body, Mind, Emotion, Will & Spirit.
Core Energetics is not therapy but an evolutionary process intended to liberate the essence of our being, our core.
“I yearn to see Core Energetics blossom in many ways in order to unify the split between psychology, religion, science & personal life. My work is to reach the depth of a person’s entity & help them open up & transform.”
— John Pierrakos, founder of Core Energetics
Dr. John Pierrakos
John C. Pierrakos, MD was born in Greece in 1921. He was a student of Wilhelm Reich, MD. who posited that all physical symptoms have their origin in mental and emotional disturbances, and healing must include the whole personality. In 1954 he co-founded the Institute of Bioenergetic Analysis with Alexander Lowen, MD., also a student of Reich. His wife Eva Pierrakos, a dancer and medium, became a significant influence in the way he viewed the human being. He incorporated the spiritual concepts of the Pathwork with the body-oriented approach of Bioenergetics and created Core Energetics in 1973. John had a deep love and respect for the human being. He dedicated his life to the research and study of psychosomatics and was a beloved teacher of many. He traveled extensively to teach Core Energetics and share his life’s work. He is the author of two books Core Energetics and Eros, Love & Sexuality.
What is Core Energetics?
The somatic approach of Core Energetics can restore a person’s capacity for pleasure when it’s been lost or diminished. It brings awareness to how we block our life energy by staying invested in passive or active control patterns to defend against unwanted feelings. Core Energetics allows us to understand how our life experiences are caused by those patterns that reinforce dynamics that at one point in our life helped us survive but today don’t allow us to thrive. These patterns continue to recreating similar life situations causing us to feel frustrated, deprived or empty. Core Energetics helps identify and dissolve these blocks, allowing us to experience more freedom and aliveness.
The Body doesn’t lie.
For a newborn the life force flows freely. This energy is pleasurable and life affirming. An infant’s body is malleable and shaped by life experiences Whether a foot is flat or has a high arch, or a pelvis is tucked forward or back, or lips are full or thin is largely determined before the age of six. This is due to defense mechanisms blocking the natural flow of energy. Children have specific needs at different stages of development. Often these needs are inadequately met causing hurt, fear and anger. For example an infant subjected to abandonment may grow into an adult with thin wrists and ankles and an elongated body with a collapsed chest. This is because the child chronically contracted certain muscles groups to stop the pain from reaching out in vain.
The individual might try to make up for what was lacking in childhood by taking care of others. This self-defeating behavior pattern leads to further disappointments which reinforces the belief that others can’t be relied on. “I must do it all by myself” becomes the premise from which they lead their life. This can lead to all kinds of health issues. The person may suffer from illnesses or symptoms such as depression, anxiety, intense mood swings, respiratory and circulatory problems.
Our body reveals our history. A skilled practitioner can see a person’s life struggle by reading their body.
How can Core Energetics help me?
Many physical illnesses are considered to be psychosomatic. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder), Hypertension, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Asthma are just a few illnesses where scientific studies have shown the connection between body and mind. Core Energetics comes from the premise that all disease begins in the mental and emotional body before it manifests in the physical body. With the Core Energetics process we learn to regulate emotions and increase mental focus. Issues in relationships such dependency, abuse, fear of engulfment or betrayal can be worked through. Core Energetics can help with depression and anxiety, substance abuse and recovery from addiction. Great relieve can be offered to those grieving the loss of a loved one by releasing emotional pain in a safe environment. Core Energetics goes beyond symptom improvement. It affects the deepest levels of being and transforms fixed patterns of behavior structured into the character.
What is a Core Energetics session like?
We may not remember early childhood trauma but our body remembers everything. Core Energetics exercises are designed to make the unconscious conscious. Although there are classic exercises such as reaching with the arms, breathing on a roller to open the chest, or arching the back into a bow to integrate the lower and upper body, working with the body differs from person to person. Bouncing the heels on the floor saying “NO” evokes something different for everyone. Leaning back to be supported by the practitioner as well. One person may get in touch with how little support they received, another may touch on their fear of falling (failing).
Touch is a valuable aspect of the work serves to release tension, give comfort or bring consciousness to specific parts of the body. If a person has a history of being invaded, they might be encouraged to push with their hands as if they were pushing someone away while saying “back off.” This will allow the person to feel more in control over who is coming into their space. Anger can be expressed by shaking one’s fists or punching a pillow. Most people fear expressing intense feelings such as anger. Social conditioning does not encourage the free expression of anger because this tends to be associated with violence.. Repressed feelings can manifest as compulsions or addictions that seem beyond our control. By releasing them in sessions they will less likely be acted out. We can then respond instead of react to others, and touch can be the healing, pleasurable and loving experience it is meant to be.
What is the spiritual aspect of Core Energetics?
Solutions are usually not found by thinking about problems. The mind rationalizes, blames, judges and gets confused. Disconnected from the heart it can be our worst enemy. This is not to say that our mind is not valuable. We need it to set intentions, make decisions, discriminate, visualize or focus. We must observe our behavior, and differentiate between an emotional reaction and a feeling. An emotional reaction arises out of our history and prevents us from being present. We cannot see what is real when we are triggered. The more grounded and present we are the safer it is to open our heart.
Negative energy can transform into positive energy when we accept and express feelings such as anger, fear, hopelessness, sadness or grief. We can go from sobbing to laughing in a matter of minutes when we surrender to our feelings. This total trust in our emotional self frees the Core, our innermost self, where primal positive energy resides. Once we connect to our core, we are in peace no matter what. We see what is real and risk standing in our truth. By accepting all of our feelings and needs we become stronger because we no longer reject vital parts of ourselves. We can stand up for our rights and allow others to be who they are. This process allows us to face our demons and step into our greatness. We can let go of our defenses and realize that being undefended is our best protection. We can then no longer deny that we are powerful, loving and wise. We are meant to fulfill our life task and receive the inner guidance to carry it out.
“A defended person has no room for love or compassion, he is too busy defending himself.”
— John Pierrakos
