Last Year Glenn Topping introduced his Body Frequency Alignment technique incorporating African Drumbeats and rhythms to me with a quick but effective 30 minute treatment – leaving me refreshed, energised and more in touch with my complete being. Completely unconventional, requiring 30 minutes and no change of clothes – this new treatment has impressed all who have experienced it.
Our bodies depend on rhythms -our hearts beat constantly in natural rhythm linked to our lungs breathing in a subconscious act, and we even walk in some sort of rhythm be it fast or slow. In essence, rhythm is a fundamental part of who we are.
When we become out of alignment with the natural cycles of nature, states of both mental and physical dis-ease may arise. Body Frequency Alignment aids us in once again becoming aligned with our state that Mother Nature intended we exist within. This treatment is holistic and perfect to keep us in balance. This treatment negates negative energy and gives the person receiving the treatment time to meditate while relaxing to the rhythmic elements of the treatment without even thinking as the lull of the West African Drum Beat links mind and body into a relaxed state encouraging renewed energy flow, to revitalise the body.
Over the past five years, the first idea of a percussive massage has grown considerably, from its intentions of being just a relaxation aid to a new concept of Body Frequency Alignment- a technique incorporating both body and mind.
Actual Technique:
This involves percussive hand movements applied by the practitioner based on traditional West African djembe drumming techniques. Musical percussion tracks are the background to light percussive strokes to the back, shoulders, arms and the back and sides of the legs, with particular attention paid to meridian lines. Focus on meridian lines ensure that an energy flow can be initiated, especially where there are problematic areas or energy blockages.
Certain acupressure points are targeted to support a greater relaxation effect, and it has been noted that this can alleviate complaints such as migraine and tension headaches, shoulder and neck tension, lower lumber tension and insomnia, among many others.
The Mind:
As much as Body Frequency Alignment incorporates the ancient techniques of acupressure and meridian work, it also makes use of more modern, scientifically sound principles.
Embedded in the music that is heard during a treatment, are sounds known as binaural beats. The effect of binaural beats was discovered in the late 1830’s, but it was over 130 years after their discovery, that the true benefit was realised. These sounds are used as a method of assisting the brain to reach a relaxed brainwave state in what is known as brainwave entrainment.
This might sound a bit odd, but it is actually something that one does throughout the day. When a person first wakes up, they will be in Alpha state. As they start moving into the day and doing a bit of thinking, they go to Beta state, and when they go to sleep at night, they move into Theta and Delta states.
Brainwave State Frequency Associated with:
Beta 13-39Hz Awake, normal alert consciousness
Alpha 7-13Hz Relaxation, calm, meditation, creative visualization
Theta 4-7Hz REM Sleep, deep meditation, problem solving, self-healing
Delta 0.1-4Hz Deep, dreamless sleep
The musical percussion tracks used during the treatment have been meticulously designed and composed, using instruments, sounds and tempos that have been shown to support mental relaxation; in much the same way as classical Baroque music has been shown to aid learning and retention of information while studying.
Studies have shown that the use of classical Baroque music assists in learning and studying as the tempos of this music range between 50bpm and 80bpm, and this stimulates the brain to go to alpha and theta brainwave states. These are lower frequencies that are associated with relaxation, problem solving and meditation. Binaural beats do much the same.
Through the use of binaural beats layered into the musical back tracks, you are taken all the way down to low theta state, which is the brainwave state associated with problem solving and self-healing.
How Mind and Body Meet:
Music plays at a particular or varied speed- tempo, and this is measured in beats per minute (bpm). The frequency of brainwave states is measured in cycles per second, or hertz (Hz). The musical tracks that are used are meticulously composed, so that the rhythms used for BFA are absolutely relative to the frequencies of the induced brainwave state. When BFA is performed, the rhythms that are heard in the musical back tracks are ‘played’ by the practitioner, on the body of the client. In this way, mind and body are brought into synch with each other.
When the mind and body are in synch with each other, and a state of greater mental and physical relaxation is achieved, the effects of the applied acupressure patterns seem to be considerably more enhanced.
Once the body has been assisted into this balanced state, there are 4 different acupressure release patterns that are used, according to the client’s needs.
Neck Release
Headache Release
Lower Lumbar Release
Shoulder Release
Each release pattern works on different problem areas and generates a de-stressing, relaxing program to align the body, back to its normal state.
Benefits of the treatment:
In our fast paced world so many positive results for various complaints and conditions have been noted.
We make no claims that this treatment is a curative measure for anything, but listed below are a few things that clients have reported back to us:
Clients suffering from stress have reported feeling considerably more relaxed after a session
Migraine and tension headache sufferers have found a considerable relief, with some people claiming that their headache has gone entirely.
People with shoulder and upper and lower back tension report that the tension and muscle pain eases up considerably.
Many clients report a greater mental awareness, associated with a much calmer disposition.
Insomnia sufferers are able to get to sleep much easier, with the effect lasting for many days after a treatment.
The treatment is based on both ancient and more modern, scientific healing and relaxation processes.
Conclusion:
With so many positive comments from those who have received this treatment, Glenn has developed the Body Frequency Alignment Courses for spas and therapists offering In- house training, Public training and one on one training depending on your needs. This treatment fits in with our lifestyle and is effective and efficient but yet affords us to find that balance which we so often lack in our very fast paced lives. Basic Acupressure, rhythm and knowledge of meridians is would be beneficial. Candidates need passion, empathy and connectivity for the pre- evaluation. Training Packs will include Manual, Video and 4 DVD s.
For more details on available training courses:
Contact Celeste Peters or Glenn Topping
Email: glenn@toadsisland.com”
mobile: +27 83 760 7799
Email: celeste.peters@za.tuv.com
tel: 012 667 7700
