July 4th- July 11th, 2009 

An Experiential Workshop of Bioenergetic Analysis II
(Click here to read the following in Spanish)

This year, honoring the alliance between the Alexander Lowen Foundation and Newfield Consulting, we are doing another training workshop for those wanting to improve their Bioenergetic look at the mystery of each human being. As last year,  we will be working on the physical dynamics of a person's neurotic struggles, character structure and frustrations in living.

Bioenergetic Analysyis offers an additional approach to verbal psychotherapy and psychodynamic science with which to understand and treat emotional problems. When woven together with psychodynamic intervention and analysis, greater opportunity exists to be of help to others in their quest for self understanding, freedom, and capacity for joy and contentment.

Bioenergetic Analysis was created by Alexander Lowen in the late 1950's. It essentially represents his personal understanding and further development of Wilhelm Reich's unique contribution to psychoanalytic theory and technique (character analysis), including his departure into the body as a part of the treatment process and his further elucidation and development of Freud's energic concepts. Reich saw the apparent dualism of the mind and the body as more of a surface phenomena which in its depth consisted of a funamental unity in the manifestation of life. This unity was torn assunder and particularly at odds with itself in the neurosis. Internal conflict, narcissism, lack of self hood, impulsivity, and in short, all of the studied psychological conditions of health and dysfunction expressed themselves in the somatic realm of functioning, biophysiologically and could be worked upon directly to foster growth and healing. Areas including the role of respiration in neurosis, the garnering of information from direct observation of the body as it relates to the personsonality, experience and conflict of the individual and Lowenian excercises designed to promote self awareness, expression and selfhood and relaxation will be highlited and adressed.

Participants will have the opportunity to partake in individual bioenergetic sessions in front of the group which will be followed by group processing. This is not mandatory.

This workshop will be held by Scott Winfield and Alberto Wang.

Scott Winfield practices Bioenergetic Analysis, psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy in Fort Lauderdale, Fl, USA. He has been practicing, teaching and studying psychotherapy for over thirty years. In addition to his university studies, Scott has completed formal institute training in both Psychoanalysis and Bioenergetic analysis. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Florida Institute for Psychoanalysis and is one of the trainers and teachers for the Florida Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis.

Alberto Wang practices Bioenergetic Analysis in Buenos Aires since 1980. He has coordinated workshops in Europe, USA, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Buenos Aires. He participates as bioenergetic supervisor in the coaching master program for Newfield Consulting since 2005. He does private therapy and groups in Buenos Aires.

The Workshop will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina
July 9 to July 12 2009 - 9 AM to 6 PM (Sunday will be held until midday).
Address: Paraguay 4694 (Palermo, Capital Federal).
Contact in Buenos Aires: Silvina Henriquez Newfield Argentina Director (silvina_newfield@yahoo.com.ar)
Phone:  54 11 4 791 3445 or 15 4 429 47 36
Cost: USD $400 ($ 1500 pesos argentinos).

The workshop will be held in English with translation to Spanish. Contact as soon as possible! We will be between 20/25 participants. I can help you with information about hotels, etc.

June 27th - July 3rd, 2009 

An Experiential Workshop of Bioenergetic Analysis I

The Workshop will be held in Santiago de Chile, Chile honoring the alliance between The Alexander Lowen Foundation and Newfield Consulting and it has been thought for the ontological coaches net in this country. 
July 2 - July 5 from 9 AM - 6 PM
Contact in Chile: mpizarro@newfieldconsulting.com
Cost: USD $600

Trainers:

Scott Winfield MSW, has been practicing, teaching and studying  
psychotherapy for over thirty years. In addition to his university studies, Scott has completed formal institute training in both Psychoanalysis and Bioenergetic analysis. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeast Florida Institute for Psychoanalysis and is one of the trainers and teachers for the Florida Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis. Scott is affiliated with the Alexander Lowen Foundation for whom he presents workshops on Bioenergetic  Analysis around the world. He is dedicated to the art of helping others find meaning and satisfaction in their lives in addition to training others to provide quality psychotherapy.

Silvina Henriquez, MA, is a Licensed Psychologist in Buenos Aires, Argentina who is in her final year of Bioenergetic training with the Florida Society for Bioenergetic Analysis. She has been an International Ontological Coach for Newfield Consulting in Argentina for over five years and is the Director of Newfield Consulting in Argentina. Silvina has an active private Bioenergetic practice emphasizing strong contactful body work helping clients find their strengths and internal rescources. Silvina has worked coaching clients in South America, Europe, Mexico, and the United States.

The workshop will be held in English with translation to Spanish.

June 20th - June 26th, 2009

June 13th - June 19th, 2009

Dr. Lowen During a Bioenergetic Session in France, 1983
With appreciation to producer Philippe Georges Girod for this footage taken from "Au Risque De Vivre."

June 6th - June 12th, 2009

Feedback on the Alexander Lowen Memorial DVD

"I have just watched the DVD about Doctor Alexander Lowen, which moved me 
deeply. Thank you for realizing such a touching document."   -P.G.G. France 

"There won´t be a dry eye."    -P.A. Germany

"Thank you for the DVD. It is a treasure to have. Last night my sister and I watched it. She loved it as well and already wants to show a friend of hers."   -L.C. Massachusetts, United States

"Beautiful, Breathtaking."    -T.B Florida, United States

May 30th - June 5, 2009

Touching words from an Alexander Lowen Memorial DVD viewer...

"I know you could have sold this DVD for $50, $60, or $70, but I really appreciate The Foundation making it affordable for the average person." - J.A., Nova Scotia

Click here to view clips of the Memorial DVD

May 23th - May 29, 2009

The Societa Italiana de Analisi Bioenergetica
Presented a Memorial Service in honor of Dr Alexander Lowen on the 15 of May in Rome.
According to the director of the SIAB, “is glad to say the Memorial was a Success!”
The Following is the Program of Events from the Memorial in Italian and English

“Il piacere è la forza creativa della vita”
Alexander Lowen

 S.I.A.B. (SOCIETA' ITALIANA DI ANALISI BIOENERGETICA)
Affiliata all' International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis (I.I.B.A.)

con il Patrocinio
Assessorato alle Politiche Educative Scolastiche, della Famiglia e della Gioventù del Comune di Roma
Ordine degli Psicologi del Lazio
Federazione Italiana Associazioni di Psicoterapia (F.I.A.P.)

Presenta
“IN MEMORIA DI ALEXANDER LOWEN:
LA CENTRALITA’ DEL CORPO NELL’EDUCAZIONE ALL’AFFETTIVITA’ E
NELLA PREVENZIONE DEL DISAGIO”
Roma 15 maggio 2009
Sala Gonzaga – Via della Consolazione, 5
(presso Comando Generale della Polizia Municipale, area Campidoglio

PROGRAMMA

10.00  Apertura lavori  Dott. Patrizia Moselli
      Saluto delle Autorità:
      Laura Marsilio, Assessore alle Politiche Educative Scolastiche, della Famiglia e della Gioventù del Comune di                                    Roma                                             
Dott. Mario Falconi, Presidente dell’Ordine Provinciale dei Medici (Roma)
Dott. Marialori Zaccaria, Presidente dell’Ordine degli Psicologi del Lazio                                     
Dott. Alberto Zucconi, Presidente del Coordinamento Nazionale Scuole di Psicoterapia (C.N.S.P.)

10.30   In memoria di Alexander Lowen
10.30   Dott. Patrizia Moselli, Presidente della Società Italiana di Analisi Bioenergetica       
                                                      (S.I.A.B.), Presidente della Federazione Italiana 
                                                      Associazioni di Psicoterapia (F.I.A.P.), I.I.B.A. Faculty
10.45   Dott. Piero Petrini, Neurologo, Psichiatra, Psicoterapeuta, Responsabile Docente  
                                                Psichiatria Università di Cassino (Frosinone), componente della
                                                Commissione per la Psicoterapia del Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca (M.I.U.R.)
11.15   Dott. Vezio Ruggieri, Docente di Psicofisiologia Clinica presso la Facoltà di Psicologia
                                                1 - Università “La Sapienza” di Roma
11.45   Dibattito
12.15   Dott. Luisa Parmeggiani, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta e Didatta S.I.A.B.
12.30   Proiezione video intervista ad Alexander Lowen Presenta Enzo Decaro, attore e regista
13.00  Break
14.30  Il contributo di Lowen nella prevenzione
            Dott. Aristide Iniotakis, Psicologo, Psicoterapeuta e Didatta S.I.A.B. “La centralità del corpo in Alexander             Lowen”
            Dott. Maria Ballardini, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta e Direttore Didattico S.I.A.B. “L’Analisi Bioenergetica nel             prenatale e nel neonatale”
            Dott. Rosaria Filoni, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta, Didatta S.I.A.B. E Direttore della rivista Grounding
            “L’Analisi Bioenergetica nella classe di esercizi di bioenergetica, uno strumento di     
             prevenzione”
             Dott. Margherita Giustiniani, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta e Didatta S.I.A.B. “Il contributo dell’Analisi             Bioenergetica nella scuola e nei processi educativi”
            Dott. Maria Luisa Manca, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta, Didatta S.I.A.B. e Consigliere dell’Ordine degli Psicologi             del Lazio “L’Analisi Bioenergetica nella prevenzione nei luoghi di lavoro”

Break 20 minuti

            Dott. Marisa Orsini, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta, Didatta S.I.A.B. e Dirigente A.S.L. Roma B “Il contributo             dell’Analisi Bioenergetica alla riabilitazione psichiatrica”
            Dott. Piera Sacchi, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta e Didatta S.I.A.B. “L’Analisi Bioenergetica nell’educazione alla            genitorialità”
           Dott. Margherita Semeraro, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta e Didatta S.I.A.B. “Il contributo dell’Analisi Bioenergetica            nello studio dei disturbi alimentari”
           Dott. Maria Stallone Alborghetti, Psicologa, Psicoterapeuta e Didatta S.I.A.B.
           “Le risorse dell'Analisi Bioenergetica per la  promozione del benessere nella terza età”
17.30   Proiezione video su Alexander Lowen  prodotto dall’Alexander Lowen Foundation
18.00   Chiusura lavori

A Rough English Translation Taken From Google Language

"The pleasure is the creative force of life"
Alexander Lowen

S.I.A.B. (SOCIETA 'ITALIANA ANALYSIS Bioenergetics)
Affiliated with the 'International Institute for BIOENERGETIC Analysis (IIBA)
With the Aegis Assessorato alle Politiche Educative School, Family and Youth of the Municipality of Rome,
Order of Psychologists of Lazio, Italian Federation of Associations of Psychotherapy (FIAP)

Presents -
"IN MEMORY OF Alexander Lowen: The Central 'BODY ALL' AFFETTIVITA in Education' E IN PREVENTION OF DISCOMFORT "
Rome 15 May 2009
Sala Gonzaga - Via della Consolata, 5
(from General Command of the Municipal Police, the Capitol area

PROGRAM

10:00 Opening Dr. Patrizia work Moselle

        I greet the Authorities:
       Laura Marsilio, Alderman Policies Educating School, Family and Youth del Comune di Roma

       Greetings:
Dr Mario Falconi, President of the Provincial of the Medici (Rome)
Dr. Marialori Zaccaria, President of the Psychologists Lazio
Dr Alberto Zucconi, President of the National Schools Psychotherapy (C.N.S.P.)

10.30 in memory of Alexander Lowen
10:30 Dr. Patrizia Moselle, President of the Italian Society for Bioenergetics Analysis
                                                  (S.I.A.B.), President of the Italian Federation
                                                   Associations of Psychotherapy (F.I.A.P.), I.I.B.A. Faculty
10:45 Dr. Piero Petrini, Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist, Head Teacher
                                              Psychiatry University of Cassino (Frosinone), a member of
                                              Committee on Psychotherapy of the Ministry of University and
                                              Research (M.I.U.R.)
11:15 Vezio Dr. Ruggieri, Professor of psychophysiological Clinic at the Faculty of Psychology
                                                 1 - Università "La Sapienza" of Rome
11:45 Debate
12:15 Dr. Luisa Parmeggiani, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and teacher SIAB
12:30 Screening of video interview with Alexander Lowen
             Presents Enzo Decaro, actor and director
1:00 Break
2:30 Lowen's contribution in the prevention
           Mr. Aristide Iniotakis, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and teacher SIAB "The centrality of the body in Alexander            Lowen"
           Dr. Maria Ballardini, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Director of Educational SIAB "Bioenergetics Analysis in            prenatal and neonatal"
           Dr. Rosaria Filoni, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, teacher SIAB And Director of the journal Grounding            "Bioenergetics Analysis in the class of bioenergetic exercises, a tool
           prevention "
           Dr. Margaret Giustiniani, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and teacher SIAB
           "The contribution of Bioenergetics in the school and educational processes"
           Dr. Maria Luisa Manca, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, teacher SIAB and Councilor of the Order of Psychologists            of Lazio "Bioenergetics Analysis prevention in the workplace"
Break 20 minutes
          Dr. Marisa Orsini, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, teacher SIAB and Dirigente A.S.L. Roma B "The contribution of           Bioenergetics to psychiatric rehabilitation"
          Dr. Piera Sacchi, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and teacher SIAB "The analysis in Bioenergetics parenthood"
          Dr. Margaret Semeraro, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and teacher SIAB "The contribution of Bioenergetics in           the study of eating disorders"
          Dr. Maria Stallone Alborghetti, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and teacher SIAB "The resources of Bioenergetics           for the promotion of wellness in old age"

5:30 Screening of Alexander Lowen Memorial Video created by The Lowen Foundation
6.00 End work

May 15th - May 22, 2009

The Alexander Lowen Memorial DVD

Available Now $25 Domestic (USA) $35 International - Click Here for Preview The Alexander Lowen Foundation is very pleased to offer you a sensitive, touching, and a very personal Memorial DVD of Alexander Lowen’s life. This 30 minute DVD begins with a picture of Al as an infant and tracks his career, writing, marriage, travel, theories of Bioenergetics, clinical presentations, and ends with Al living one of his favorite pasttimes—sailing. When Al passed away, The Alexander Lowen Foundation requested video clips, audio clips, pictures and audio tapes for our archives and the response was overwhelming with contributions from all over the world. This memorial DVD includes segments of video clips, pictures, audio clips, and selective readings from Al’s books. Set to music in a creative way, this DVD will touch your heart. Currently, we are offering the Memorial DVD celebrating Alexander Lowen for the least amount possible, $25.00 (domestic shipping included) or $35.00 (international shipping included). If you are able to donate any additional amount in honor of Alexander Lowen, donations will be used to produce more media about Al. Please click on the DONATE page on the website or email us at Alexanderlowenfoundation@gmail.com or call us at 386-462-5155. Click here for more information about The Alexander Lowen Memorial DVD Click here to donate to The Alexander Lowen Foundation Preview a clip of the Memorial Video below. Comments From Viewers "I have just viewed the DVD and congratulate you and the Foundation for a really fine job of presenting Al, his work, and his life." -V.H. "The DVD is priceless for me." -L.C. "Very nice tribute." -R.P. "It was stunning... seeing Dr. Lowen as he was." -D.R. "Thank you for the DVD. It is a treasure to have. Last night my sister and I watched it. She loved it as well and already wants to show a friend of hers." -L.C. "Beautiful, Breathtaking." -T.B. "The Memorial DVD was very well received." -SCBC conference

May 7th - May 14, 2009

Preview from The Alexander Lowen Memorial DVD!

This sneak peak captures how much Al Lowen was loved and how much he will be missed. We received numerous tributes in honor of Alexander Lowen worldwide. These and many more are featured in the touching and sensitive Memorial DVD that honors the life and work of Alexander Lowen.

April 29th - May 7th, 2009

Preview from The Alexander Lowen Memorial DVD!

This sneak peak captures how much Al Lowen was loved and how much he will be missed. We received numerous tributes in honor of Alexander Lowen worldwide. These and many more are featured in the touching and sensitive Memorial DVD that honors the life and work of Alexander Lowen.

April 21th - April 28th, 2009

Preview from The Alexander Lowen Memorial DVD!

The Alexander Lowen Foundation created this DVD from materials sent to the Archives from
Lowen Supporters around the world. This clip is taken from the DVD that celebrates the life of Alexander Lowen.

April 12th - April 20th, 2009

“During the workshop in High Springs Florida, when Al was 92 years old, he talked about how he did somersaults everyday…I think he was in shorts and a t-shirt… and he tucked his head down and rolled on the back of his shoulders and flipped over on a mattress. Everyone at the workshop learned how to do somersaults, even those of us who were less gifted at doing somersaults. Al reminded me of a small child because he was so aware of his body and agile. Here he was at 92 years of age telling us 45 and 50 year olds to go do somersaults…we were clinging to our seats! Al was even a little mischievous when challenging the rest of us “old fogies” to do somersaults.”

-Anne Gatz, participant at Al Lowen’s last workshop in High Springs, Florida (2002)

April 5th - April 11th, 2009

“The body is the person, but you express who you are through the body as much as through your mind - you don’t have a body, you are your body. And looking at a body and sensing a body, we can know who a person is.” 

-Dr Alexander Lowen, 1970

March 28th - April 4th, 2009

“But you know, if you are going to help people, you’ve got to look at yourself first and find out how you can deal with a problem you’ve had, from your childhood, and when you can do that—its not a quick job—but when you do that, you open your heart and your mind and your body to the real understanding of life.” 

-Dr Alexander Lowen
Energetics of Bioenergetics directed by David Weiser

March 21 - March 27th, 2009

A Workshop with Alexander Lowen in Columbia
Winter 1998

March 14, 2009 - March 20, 2009

“Exploring the Body's Energy” -- A Bioenergetic Workshop
Feb 2009 Bogotá, Columbia
Organized by: Pedro Rojas
Led by: John Yong, JD

“Me ha llenado de emoción este encuentro tan maravilloso. Conocerlos a cada uno de ustedes ha sido algo muy lindo en mi vida” Carolina Marín Tapia (Workshop participant)

“I was filled with excitement this event so wonderful. Know each of you has been very nice in my life” (Rough English translation from Google Translate)

March 7, 2009 - March 13, 2009

"Leslie and I were very excited about this book because the exercises are not done mechanically, but are connected to feeling."

- In reference to The Way to Vibrant Health by Alexander and Leslie Lowen 1977.

February 27, 2009 - March 6, 2009

February 19, 2009 - February 26, 2009

"The nature that you see in Brazil is exciting; the mountains, the ocean, the plants and the light. And I would like to pass on to you my hope that you preserve that nature as much as possible. And you know the world is threatened ecologically and this threat stems from the fact that man has separated himself from nature. That separation is more evident in my country than yours. The more industrialized a country becomes, the more removed people are from the natural ways. And from the spirituality of the body."

-- Alexander Lowen
From lecture given at a Conference in Bahia, Brazil 1989

February 12, 2009 - February 18, 2009

Thoughts from the Bioenergetics Memorial Workshop in Miami Beach, Florida.

"... my great thanks for that heart opening experience! "

"We've got such a sense of ourself that we didn't have before we left. We want to thank you and thank you and thank you for this amazing experience in all this 4 days together...all of you are so different and are able to come in your deep emotion in many different ways.

"Yes it was GREAT to share my 2 1/2 days with you...Of course a most special Thank You to Dr. Bob for all he did to make it a success...and the guidance and knowledge he shared directly with me."

February 4, 2009 - February 11, 2009

Thoughts from the Bioenergetics Workshop in Poland.

"Thank you very much for nice workshop. Finally a therapy reaches the core of  issue, causes deep changes in the body and its energy and it is not  only a surface talking. The workshop was nicely conducted by John, With great awareness, sensivity and honour to the patient and his energy."

January 27rd - February 3, 2009

Join us in Miami for the Alexander Lowen Memorial Video
Saturday, January 31, 2009

Contact The Lowen Foundation for more information at
Phone: (386) 462-0616

January 19rd - January 26, 2009

Olá, pessoal.

Localizei algumas fotos antigas do Dr. Lowen.
As fotos de número 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 e 6 são de abril de 2000.
A foto 5 é de setembro de 1999.
Tive uma grande oportunidade de fazer um trabalho com ele, que foi uma experiência única na minha vida.
Seguem os meus agradecimentos:

Angélica Rodrigues Santos
Instituto PlenoSer
Educação, Consultoria e Psicoterapia para a Saúde
SGAS 915 - Bloco C - Salas 205 e 206
Ed. Office Center
70.390-150 - Brasília - DF

Rough Translation:

Hello, everyone.

Find some old photos of Dr. Lowen.
The photos of number 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 and 6 are from April 2000.
The photo is 5 September 1999.
I had a great opportunity to work with him, which was a unique experience in my life.
Here are my thanks:

January 11rd - January 18, 2009

Citation:  Friedman, H., & Glazer, R. (in-press).
The Body Never Lies:  In Memory of Alexander Lowen
Harris Friedman, University of Florida
Robert Glazer, Gainesville, Florida

            Sometimes the conversations of humanistic psychologists seem overly intellectualized, focusing on esoteric issues (e.g., debating so-called paradigm differences between mainstream positivistic and humanistic psychologies), relying on obtuse language (e.g., employing highly nuanced terminology from existential/phenomenological philosophers unknown to all but a few initiates), and even delving into radically-relativistic constructivism implying that all perspectives are without solidity and essentially rest on a cascade of words whose meaning are only arbitrary.  However, Alexander (Al) Lowen (1910 – 2008) gave little credence to such approaches.  He used words sparingly and always directly, ensuring they were grounded in direct body experience and not just abstractions, as he was convinced that over-intellectualization distances us from what he unwaveringly saw as constituting the core of life, our embodied existence.
             Wilhelm Reich (see biography by Sharaf, 1994) was Al’s mentor and therapist, as he was to another well-known humanistic therapist who emphasized body-oriented approaches, Frederick (Fritz) Perls (see his autobiography, In and Out of the Garbage Pail, 1969), founder of gestalt therapy.  Reich was a controversial protégé of Freud, who pioneered psychoanalytically-based somatic approaches to therapy.  Al held two law degrees at the time he met Reich, but he became deeply changed by his own personal therapy with Reich, deciding to leave law to become a psychiatrist by completing a medical degree, which he did in 1954.  Then Al, along with his colleague, psychiatrist John Pierrakos, built on Reich’s (1980) contributions by developing a unique blend of mind-body therapy integrating psychological with somatic interventions they called bioenergetic analysis, which later began to simply be called bioenergetic therapy or, shortened further, bioenergetics.
            During the early years of the humanistic psychology movement, Al was among its most influential pioneers.  He presented frequent bioenergetic workshops in prominent venues, such as Esalen Institute, getting equal billing alongside the other most influential leaders of the humanistic movement, such as Fritz Perls and Carl Rogers. As an incredibly talented therapist, he was able to reach deeply into people in a way that few else could, quickly bringing workshop participants to deeply-felt realizations that left little doubt in both participants and observers that something powerful was happening when he worked with people.  Many flocked to his workshops and he influenced a large number of therapists through training programs he created at the International Institute of Bioenergetic Analysis, which continues to certify bioenergetic therapists.  Likewise, many psychotherapists who elected not to become bioenergetic therapists nevertheless came to see Al as a therapist’s therapist; although they might only take most of their own patients so deep in the therapeutic process, they would look at bioenergetics as an approach for their own deepest growth and, perhaps, use bioenergetic techniques with a select few of their patients.  Al’s work also had wide influence on the burgeoning field of “somatic psychotherapy” (also known as psychosomatic and body-oriented psychotherapy; Hanna, 1986).  Somatic approaches treat the person both psychologically and through a heterogeneous assortment of body modalities, including manipulation of bones/joints, soft tissues, and even so-called subtle energies, and often draw from the Reichian tradition, including Al’s work. 
Al also left a rich legacy of writings, including many books and monographs.  His major book written for a professional audience, Language of the Body: Physical Dynamics of Character Structure (Lowen, 2006/1958) outlined his basic theoretical stance.  In a later book, Bioenergetics: The Revolutionary Therapy that Uses the Language of the Body to Heal the Problems of the Mind (Lowen, 1977), Al wrote in a more popularly-accessible way on his approach to therapy.  He described bioenergetics as a way to diagnose and therapeutically intervene with people through understanding humans as energy systems from both psychological and somatic perspectives.  Diagnoses focused on traditional psychoanalytic concepts, understood through somatic perspectives (e.g., defense mechanisms seen as both a mental maneuvering and a physical process of blocking awareness), and working actively with clients’ bodies were the hallmarks of his approach to therapy.  Al often lamented that “talk” psychotherapy resulted only in superficial changes unless there were also accompanying somatic changes.  He also lamented that solely somatic interventions, such as massage, lacked the psychological integration needed for creating lasting changes. In this way, he felt bioenergetics combined both somatic and psychological approaches more effectively than either alone for resolving problems and enhancing pleasure
            Al’s keen observations of bodily structures (e.g., posture) and functions (e.g., movement) were amazing.  He could look at a person and almost unerringly read key aspects of their life history from their body alone, no words needed. These insights stemmed from Reich’s (1980) early work with chronic muscular tension (i.e., armoring) as the first line of defense against threatening feelings.  As emotion (i.e., e-“motion”) etymologically references movement and, since muscles are the basis of movement, armoring inhibits both emotional feelings and expression (e.g., muscular tensions in the jaw can block both the capacity to feel and express anger); in this way, armoring operates similarly to psychological defense mechanisms, but at a somatic level.  Al frequently insisted that, although people can say what they will--such as denying painful feelings, the body never lies. 
            From these astute observations, Al’s therapy focused on releasing both psychological and physical tensions, restoring clients’ capacity to feel and express, that is their aliveness.  Although Al discussed body and mind as if separate, he always assumed they were functionally equivalent, acknowledging the dualistic limitation of words and always referencing experiences back toward the lived body.  His basic conceptualization was that experience (e.g., increasing fear) affects somatic expression (e.g., increasing panic breathing), while somatic expressions (e.g., increasing panic breathing) in turn affects experience (e.g., increasing fear) in an endless circle of reciprocity.  Consequently, bioenergetics employs both psychological interventions focusing on increasing the depth of experience, including placing experience into a meaningful context using psychoanalytic conceptions, and somatic interventions focusing on increasing the capacity for movement and energy availability.             
            To illustrate, a person experiencing anhedonia might be asked to express negative feelings either verbally or through physical action, such as hitting a pillow.  This type of expression will often result in an increased felt-sense of energy that enables regaining contact with emotional experience previously blocked by armoring and that only can be re-experienced after release of tensions.  In this regard, bioenergetics can be applied to many psychological and even physical (e.g., low back pains without known organic cause) conditions—and it can be particularly applicable for so-called treatment-resistant “negative symptoms,” such as anhedonia, which are increasingly common in modern culture.
            Until near the end of Al’s life, he continued to do therapy with clients and provide workshops.  He also continued to diligently work on himself using bioenergetic techniques, engaging in daily kicking and hitting to keep his body vibrant well into his 90s.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Leslie Lowen, who also was a therapist.  He is survived by Frederic Lowen, his son, and Sonya Lowen, his granddaughter.  Al’s recent autobiography, Honoring the Body (Lowen, 2004), provides a deeper glimpse into the life of this remarkable man.  
                                                            

    References 
Hanna, T. (1986). What is somatic? Somatics, 5(4), 4–9.
Lowen, A. (1977). Bioenergetics: The revolutionary therapy that uses the language of the
 body to heal the problems of the mind. New York: Penguin.
Lowen, A. (2004). Honoring the body. Alachua, FL: Bioenergetic Press.
Lowen, A. (2006/1958). Language of the body: Physical dynamics of character structure.
Alachua, FL: Bioenergetics Press.
Perls, F. (1969). In and out of the garbage pail. Lafayette, CA.: Real People Press
Reich, W. (1980). Character analysis (3rd ed.). New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
Sharaf, M. (1994). Fury on earth: A biography of Wilhelm Reich. Cambridge, MA:
            DaCapo Press.

Author Biographies
Harris L. Friedman is Research Professor of Psychology at University of Florida.  He is Editor of the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies and Associate Editor of The Humanistic Psychologist, as well as a Florida licensed psychologist and certified bioenergetic therapist. 
Robert Glazer is Director of Florida Society for Bioenergetic Analysis and founded Bioenergetics Press.   He is a Florida licensed psychologist in private practice and certified bioenergetic therapist.  He worked closely with Alexander Lowen for many years, including editing his autobiography, Honoring the Body. 

January 3rd - January 10, 2009

Preview of the material to be presented at the Miami Workshop Memorial Dinner....
For more information please go to the Events Page.

"The Brazilians waited for eight years for Al to come to Brazil. When he arrived in 1989, along
with Frank Hladky and myself, he had a hero’s welcome. He was greeted with love, excitement,
and television cameras in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador da Bahia. His picture was on
the front page of the main newspaper in Rio. He offered workshops where participants sat on the
edge of their chairs or sometimes stood or kneeled on them, thoroughly engrossed in watching
the master work. He spoke with dignity and ease to hundreds of people at conferences in each of
these cities. The lecture presented here was transcribed from a tape of the conference in Bahia.
The words are Al’s. None were change. The picture above, as well as the ones at the end of this
paper, was taken in Bahia at the site of the final workshop." [Paper to be shared at the Miami Workshop].

— Leslie Case
A Leader for the Winter Memorial Bioenergetics Workshop

December 26th - January 2, 2009

Happy Holidays from The Alexander Lowen Foundation to the Vibrant Bioenergetic Community
and our website's visitors throughout the world!

December 19th - December 26th

Currently The Alexander Lowen Foundation is compiling media for its archives. If you have any media involving Alexander Lowen or Bioenergetics, please send it to the foundation to be archived and possibly used for the Alexander Lowen Memorial Workshop in Miami Beach, Florida this January.

Please send it to:

The Lowen Foundation
19802 Old Bellamy Road
Alachua, FL 32515
United States

Phone: (386) 462-0616

December 12th - December 19th

December 5th - December 12

Click Here to Register!

THE WINTER ALEXANDER LOWEN MEMORIAL WORKSHOP
JANUARY 30 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2, 2009
"THE VIBRANT BODY"
EMAIL: ALEXANDERLOWENFOUNDATION@GMAIL.COM
OR CALL (386) 462-0616

November 28th - December 5th

Slideshow Tribute to Dr. Lowen
Sent in From Malu Millerman

"Every time that I was with him, he used to say:
'I am an old man but I feel good, I dance and
I move my body to avoid rigidity,'
and his eyes always shinning, very alive"

Click to view slideshow Tribute to Dr. Lowen

Click to download slideshow in .pdf format.
Click to download slideshow in .ppt format

November 20th - November 27th

There is great appreciation for the tributes, memories, and photographs that so many of you are sharing right now through The Foundation's Guestbook Honoring Alexander Lowen. Thank you.

November 13th - November 20th

Alexander Lowen Has Passed Away

Alexander Lowen passed away peacefully in his sleep between midnight and 2am on the morning of Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Al was 97 years of age, 2 months shy of his 98th birthday on December 23rd. Despite a debilitating stroke two years ago, Dr. Lowen enjoyed his last years in loving care at his home in Connecticut. An international group of caregivers, Nana from Ghana, Karen from Jamaica, Eddie from the Bronx, and Monica, his angel on Earth, from Brazil, cared for him and loved him in the comfort of his home. With their help, the help of others, his visitors, and all people wishing him well, he enjoyed and struggled, agreed and disagreed, argued and accepted, listened to music, danced, worked his body, and lived a full life to the end. A student and lover of life, his was a life that wished to live. He will be missed by many, even as he is still with those who knew him.             

Dr. Lowen's life touched all of us very deeply. We have been able to cherish and benefit from how he created Bioenergetic Analysis and touched tens of thousands of lives. He always had profound respect for the body and the power of the life force. He was buried at a private family funeral on November 8. His passing is deeply mourned by his son Frederic and family, wife Cheryl, and daughter, Sonia. Dr. Lowen leaves a sister, Sylvia Murray, 93.              

Two quotes from  Dr Lowen's 14 books are very relevant. In Fear of Life, he wrote:   

"As one grows older, the sense of separateness is slowly reduced.  Old people do not live on an ego level.  Their concerns are not about their individuality but about the river of life, the family, the community, the nation, people, animals, nature, life.  They can die easily if they are assured that life will continue positively, for they feel part of the river again, and soon they will be part of the ocean. When they are very old, they no longer belong to our time and space, but to all time and all space."             

In his Autobiography, Honoring the Body, he wrote:  

"If you have the willingness to accept the realities of life, you will live longer. It has allowed me to reach 93 years of age. I was raised to value the mind and intellect, not the body. Favoring the life of the mind went against my nature. Healing the split between my mind and my body has been my life's challenge. In the 60 years that I have practiced psychotherapy, I have learned that the pathway to emotional health is through the body. The underlying purpose of Bioenergetics Analysis has always been to heal the mind—body split."             

A memorial service open to all friends will be held at his home in Connecticut in late Spring 2009.             

You are welcome to post a tribute to Dr. Lowen on our website. The link to the "Honoring Alexander Lowen Guestbook" is http://www.lowenfoundation.com/guestbook.html. You can also send us an email at AlexanderLowenFoundation@gmail.com. Some of you may even have pictures you can share with us.     

The Alexander Lowen Foundation was founded, funded, and established by Dr. Alexander Lowen, M.D. to continue his teachings and further develop his work.  

Frederic Lowen, Robert Glazer, John Yong

Directors
The Alexander Lowen Foundation

November 5th - November 12th

Au Risque De Vivre
(The Risk of the Living)
Video Clip From film by Philippe Georges Girod

October 28th -November 4th

Au Risque De Vivre
(The Risk of the Living)
Video Clip From film by Philippe Georges Girod

October 20th - October 27th

Au Risque De Vivre
(The Risk of the Living)
Video Clip From film by Philippe Georges Girod

October 12th - October 19th

Au Risque De Vivre
(The Risk of the Living)
Video Clip From film by Philippe Georges Girod

October 5th - October 11th

Au Risque De Vivre
(The Risk of the Living)
Video by Philippe Georges Girod

These images are taken from a 1983 French documentary on the awareness of the language of Bioenergetics. In the film, a seminar is presented by Bioenergetic's creator Alexander Lowen, who is accompanied by his wife Leslie.

September 28st - October 5th

September 21st - September 28th

"Bioenergetics in Paradise; Costa Rica Workshop"
Leader excerpt #5 – John Young, JD on Healing Through the Body.

How would you describe Bioenergetics to someone who has never heard of Bioenergetics?

"We are always looking for expression. We are always looking for love and contact that we didn't get as a young child. The way to do that is through the body. I truly believe that the only way to heal is through the body."

September 14th - September 21st

"Bioenergetics in Paradise; Costa Rica Workshop"
Leader excerpt #4 – Robert Glazer, PH.D on Body Reading and the Bioenergetic Therapy Process.

September 7th - September 14th

"Bioenergetics in Paradise; Costa Rica Workshop"
Leader excerpt #3 – Anna Miller, MSW on Bioenergetics and Feeling Better.

"Lets focus on what Bioenergetics people can do to help individuals feel better. When we feel good, we do good for others."

The Alexander Lowen Foundation was honored to have Anna lead this workshop.

September 1st - September 7th

"Bioenergetics in Paradise; Costa Rica Workshop"
Leader excerpt #2 - Fred Lowen on Bioenergetics in Everyday Life

"Our ultimate goal is to share Bioenergetics with a critical mass of individuals to affect the quality of their everyday decisions, small and large. We look forward to a day when Bioenergetics is used in schools, fitness centers, hospitals, daycares, nursing homes,YMCA's, town squares, corporations, and workplaces. Bioenergetics is a way and means to heal and nourish that mind-body connection in psychotherapy and in life."

August 26th - September 1st

"Bioenergetics in Paradise; Costa Rica Workshop"
Leader excerpt #1 - Scott Winfield, LSW, on Body Reading

"This is interesting for me to be asked to read the body first, because when I was in training, and as a person in the family I grew up with, it was an incredible 'having to know.' I had to know everything. I remember hearing that Alexander Lowen could look at you and tell you what kind of father and mother you had just by looking at you. So I had this idea, by god, that I had to know. It would cause me to try too hard in a mechanical way. So, it's interesting to be doing this. I intend to not try too hard when I work with the person and let the impression come to me.
There is a very good book if anyone is interested for body reading, Ron Kurtz's The Body Reveals."

August 18th - August 25th

Costa Rica Workshop Comment

"I liked the experience. I found that all of the trainers were solid in their field... if it is possible for me to do another workshop, I will. Thank you for your generosity in your knowledge and kindness."

August 11th - August 17th

A Participant's Thoughts After Costa Rica Workshop.

Beauty of the Sadness

Raining (as usually in Belgium), but this time rain is cold.
Workshop In paradise has been finished.
I was really there, I mean my self was there.
That was a moment of my life when you bend your head not due to guilt or submissiveness but due to pleasure of listening and watching,
That you looking for someone eyes not hoping for approval or understanding but to see other person beauty
It was a moment when suddenly you stop acting all those roles and one most important is acted right now – your life
I am saying that if you crying after beauty then it is beautiful sadness
Life is celebrating natural beauty and that beauty makes you falling in love, in that mystery which in fact is every person, especially when he/she is consciously supporting to let go, to be open, to share, to be so is expressing voice of the body means love to me.

Love,
Rafal

August 4th - August 10th

Excerpt series from The Energetic of Bioenergetics - Interview with Dr. Lowen (5 of 5)

Dr. Hladky - Yes. Because real pleasure is a body awareness. Feeling aliveness.

Dr. Lowen - Sure, sure. So, everybody is worried about health these days, and I think they are right to worry. Because they're not healthy. People are sick out there. Their bodies are grotesque. So let me say this, that a healthy person is really characterized by a body that is alive and vital. Eyes that shine, voice that resonates, a manner that is soft, a sense of grace, a character that is dignified and not dominated by his ego. There is sense of humility when he talks about things. So, I have to find that in myself, and if I find that in myself, I try to share that with my patients and help them reach it. Its a long road, Frank.

These excerpts are taken from an interview of Dr. Alexander Lowen by Dr. Frank Hladky in 1998.  The entire interview, along with a recording of Dr. Lowen teaching different aspects of Bioenergetic Analysis and conducting demonstrations with audience participants, is captured on the 90 minute DVD, The Energetics of Bioenergetics.  The complete DVD is available through The Alexander Lowen Foundation at www.LowenFoundation.org/donate3.htm 

July 28th - August 3rd

Excerpt Series from The Energetics of Bioenergetics - Interview with Dr. Lowen (4 of 5)

Dr. Hladky - Certainly, socially our problems look like they're getting bigger and bigger all the time.

Dr. Lowen - When you lose contact with your body, you enter a little bit of an insane world. That's what insanity is. You become unreal. You don't feel yourself in a human way. As you see there's a lot of that going around here. I'm afrain that is going to get worse. Bu you know, if you're going to help people, you have got to first look at yourself and find out how you can deal with the problems that you've had from your childhood. Whe you can do that, it's not a quick job, but when you do that, you open your heart and your mind and your body to the real understanding of life.

Dr. Hladky - And what people, I think, so often miss in talking about this is that with this comes real pleasure.

Dr. Lowen - Joy, even.

These excerpts are taken from an interview of Dr. Alexander Lowen by Dr. Frank Hladky in 1998.  The entire interview, along with a recording of Dr. Lowen teaching different aspects of Bioenergetic Analysis and conducting demonstrations with audience participants, is captured on the 90 minute DVD, The Energetics of Bioenergetics.  The complete DVD is available through The Alexander Lowen Foundation at www.LowenFoundation.org/donate3.htm 

July 21st - July 27th

Excerpt Series from The Energetics of Bioenergetics - Interview with Dr. Lowen (3 of 5)

Dr. Hladky – And when you see the body, and see what the person’s experience has been, and where they are now, how do you begin the work?  

Dr. Lowen – Well, what you find is, that all the problems the person has are structured in his body. And the basic problems he has is that he is afraid to come alive and have feelings fully. That’s the basic problem. For good reason, but the fact is that this is the basic problem. 

Dr. Hladky – Oh, sure. Because usually as children they were reprimanded or rejected whenever they showed their emotions. 

Dr. Lowen – That’s right, oh even punished. When they get a little wilder, they were beaten you know, all kinds of terrible things happen. So we had to learn to cut off feelings, and the only way to cut off feelings is to deaden your body. That’s the only way for you to cut off feelings—dead bodies don’t feel. But getting back the feelings, when people are so frightened of feeling, is a long hard road. It’s a worthwhile road. The problem that we have is that the culture is not a body culture. It’s a head-end orientated culture. 

These excerpts are taken from an interview of Dr. Alexander Lowen by Dr. Frank Hladky in 1998.  The entire interview, along with a recording of Dr. Lowen teaching different aspects of Bioenergetic Analysis and conducting demonstrations with audience participants, is captured on the 90 minute DVD, The Energetics of Bioenergetics.  The complete DVD is available through The Alexander Lowen Foundation at www.LowenFoundation.org/donate3.htm 
 

July 14th - July 20th

Excerpt Series from The Energetics of Bioenergetics - Interview with Dr. Lowen (2 of 5)

Dr. Lowen - Eventually, I got into therapy with Wilhelm Reich. And everything that I hoped for became possible for me. The road wasn’t easy. I had to work through a [body-mind] split, it is not something you can heal through your mind. 

Dr. Hladky - Yeah, you