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 ZERO BALANCING®

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF ZERO BALANCING
Zero Balancing® (ZB) is a hands-on bodywork system that enables both structural and energy bodies to be simultaneously brought into balance.  ZB practitioners focus on bone energy and fulcrums rather than muscles like traditional massage therapists. Considered to be the cutting edge of mind/body practices, ZB goes beyond Western scientific conceptions of the physical body to integrate Eastern theories of energy and healing.  ZB maintains a holistic orientation even when utilized to treat specific issues.

What is it used for?
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN ZERO BALANCING HELP?
ZB is applicable to a wide range of health situations.  It can assist an individual with stress-related health problems to one who wishes to achieve peak health or attain better self-awareness.

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF ZERO BALANCING
"Fritz" Frederick Smith, a healer with an extensive background in both traditional and modern healing practices, developed Zero Balancing. Dr. Smith’s father was a prominent chiropractor who had been designated as the “Chiropractor of the Century” by the Monterey California Chiropractic Association.
Smith earned his doctorate degree in osteopathy in 1955 and another in medicine in 1961.

Over the next two decades Smith studied additional treatment systems, pursuing knowledge of yoga, Rolfing?, meditation, and Eastern teachings.  He went on to study acupuncture, and earned degrees in acupuncture and became a licensed acupuncturist.  His study of acupuncture combined with his personal growth under the teaching of Swami Muktananda heavily influenced his formulate of ZB in 1975. Since this time he has been practicing and teaching ZB throughout many countries, and has authored several articles on the topic, as well as the book “Inner Bridges:  A Guide to Energy Movement and Body Structure.”

What is it based on?
THEORY OF ZERO BALANCING
ZB is formulated to ensure peak relaxation and wellbeing.  The process is distinguished by a form of touch known as "interface," characterized by clear and safe boundaries between client and practitioner. Gentle and noninvasive, it's pleasant for both the ZB practitioner to give and the client to receive. Recipients of ZB have described the experience as "expanded awareness," "tension melting away, " and "feeling balanced to zero." Those receiving ZB have mentioned their experience of harmony and integration after a session.

Although the structural body may be seen and touched, the energy body is the observed and unseen movement, including muscular actions, circulation of tissue fluids, the movements of cells and molecules, motion of the body fields, and the vibration of the life force.  The structural and energy bodies communicate with each other and the external environment, yet each work autonomously.

The energy body influences and is largely responsible for emotions, mood, and energy levels.  Negative changes in the energy body can lead to illness and disease.  The functioning of the structural and energy bodies and their interactions with each other directly affects all aspects of wellbeing.
ZB may be considered “holistic” because it addresses the energy body directly in addition to the structural body.  The process of ZB removes stress, frees unhelpful patterns held within the tissues, and facilitates positive change and growth in an integrated manner.  Although ZB acknowledges and evaluates particular symptoms, it addresses our basic self.  ZB treatments allow stressful energy to more easily release from the body, reducing the impact of stressful situations.
 
How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION OF ZERO BALANCING IS LIKE
A ZB session is usually about 45 minutes with the client fully clothed.  Generally, the client begins seated and then moves from there to a comfortable reclining position on the back.  Sessions most often begin with the lower body, with the therapist gently lifting and tractioning the lower legs. 

Practitioners use fingertip "interface" on the bones, paying particular attention to the quality of energy in the bones to assess where energy may be stuck and the body may be compensating.  If the practitioner finds a dysfunction in the energy, they will hold the area in a "fulcrum" to establish a still point to invite the energy to rearrange and rebalance

ZB practitioners evaluate the energy fields and energy flow and balance the structures as needed. The session may address the body, mind, spirit, or the three together, and this determination is made through assessment of where the energetic fields are disordered or blocked.  Since the bones of the skeleton manifest the strongest energetic currents, special attention is given.
 
Who does it?
ZERO BALANCE PRACTITIONERS
Licensed health care professionals such as massage therapists, chiropractors and osteopaths can practice Zero Balancing. A “Certified Zero Balance” practitioner has completed 150 hours of continuing education (100 class hours, 50 practicum) and demonstrated a high level competency in working with body energy through touch. The Zero Balancing Health Association (ZBHA) provides certification to a practitioners and he may be recognized as a “Zero Balancer?”.