Overview

The Trager Approach is the innovative approach to movement education, created and developed over a period of 65 years by Milton Trager, M.D. There are two aspects of this therapy; one in which the client is passive and the other in which the client is active. The passive aspect is usually referred to as the tablework and the active aspect is called Mentastics.

The Trager Approach is valuable for anyone who wants to encourage growing awareness and autonomy in themselves and their clients.

History

The Trager Approach is the discovery of Milton Trager who first encouraged its principles somewhat serendipitously, at the age of 18. He then spent the next 50 years, as a lay practitioner and later, medical doctor, refining and expanding his discovery. With a long and successful career as a therapist behind him, Milton Trager embarked on the new venture of teaching his work at an age when most others are thinking of retirement. There are now thousands of Certified Practitioners throughout the globe; in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan.

Benefits

Utilising gentle, non-intrusive, natural movements, The Trager Approach helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility and mental clarity. These patterns may have developed in response to accidents, illnesses, or any kind of physical or emotional trauma, including the stress of everyday life. Because many of the effects are cumulative, clients most often appreciate and will benefit from a series of sessions. One of the most potents aspects of this method is the ability to recall the feeling of deep relaxation and how it feels to move freely and easily.

Procedure

A session usually lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. No oils or lotions are used and the client is usually dressed for their comfort, with a minimum of swimwear or briefs, and are additionally draped appropriately.

During the table work session, the client is passive and lying on a comfortably padded table. The practitioner moves the client in ways they naturally move, and with a quality of touch and movement such that the recipient experiences the feeling of moving that effortlessly and freely on his/her own.

The movements are never forced so that there is no induced pain or discomfort to the client.

This quality of effortless movement is maintained and reinforced by Mentastics. These are simple, active, self-induced movements which the client can do on their own during daily activities. They have the same intent as the table work in terms of releasing deep-seated patterns.

For many people, Mentastics becomes a part of their life in taking care of themselves and relieving themselves of stress and tension.

Source of information: www.trager.com