The MTBOK Task Force has been announced. Each candidate chosen by the Stewards Group has a full history of work in the field of massage that I believe will make this Task Force a success.
Of particular interest to me is Dr. Michael Shea. Dr. Shea brings with him a very unique background.
He has been a massage Therapist in Florida since 1976 where he has also practiced advanced Rolfing and was one of the first certified Full Instructors of CranioSacral Therapy in 1986.
With a Doctorate in Somatic Psychology from the Union Institute and a Masters Degree in Buddhist Psychology from Naropa University, Dr. Shea brings with him a unique view of massage and the connection between mind and body. Somatic Therapy is a holistic form of therapy that respects and utilizes the powerful connection between mind, body and spirit.
This Therapy has a long history, primarily derived from the theories and practices of Wilhelm Reich, Psychoanalyst and student of Sigmund Freud. Somatic Psychotherapy has since been influenced by Humanistic, Existential and Gestalt Psychologies with other influences coming from, Far Eastern Philosophy, Dance, Movement and Art Therapy, Far Eastern Spirituality, Neurology and Biology.
Buddhist Psychology although similar to Somatic Psychology has roots in Buddhist Philosophy and religious teachings. Buddhism predates Psychology by over 2 millennia. Buddhist Mindfulness Practices include,
MBSR- Mindfulness based stress reduction, DBT- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Restructuring.
His clinical focus is in the treatment of infants and children with neurological problems.
Dr. Shea is a Faculty and Doctoral Committee member at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute where he teaches human embryology in the pre and peri-natal psychology doctoral programs and has authored two books titled Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, volumes 1 and 2, along with many others.
http://www.michaelsheateaching.com/index.html
As well as being a long time student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. Shea has spent many years apprenticed with a Navajo Medicine Man on a Navajo reservation in Arizona.
With such a rich background and extensive knowledge in the area of mind body awareness it is my hope that Dr. Shea is successful in all his endeavors including the MTBOK Task Force that he has been chosen for.
” Choose each day to be blissful and complete, a whole person well cared for by you. “
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