What is Polarity?

La polarity intended to harmonize vital energy in the body to maintain or improve health. By strengthening the energy of the body and the body-mind bond, this therapy claims to take advantage of the natural self-healing forces present in all human beings. At first glance, it can give the impression of a massage very delicate.

The polarity worker does not seek to transmit external energy to his patient, as is the case in Reiki, for example. Rather, its action aims to rebalance or to reactivate the energy of his patient. Depending on the energy circuits he wishes to re-harmonize, the practitioner simply places his hands on specific places of the body or exercises there light pressure. Different protocols and charters make it possible to determine on which circuits to work, according to the desired goals. The therapist remains focused, non-directive and empathetic at all times. For example, his intervention would ensure that an energy blocked between the head and the pelvis starts to flow more freely and that the processes ofhealing reactivate.

Polarity distinguishes itself from other energy approaches by emphasizing the positive and negative polarities (electromagnetic, rhythmic, etc.) which organize, energize and maintain the balance of each cell, tissue and function in the organism.

In addition to the work of rebalancing, which has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, the polarity involves energetic exercises ofstretching and breathing, inspired by yoga postures. Practitioners also advocate food healthy and alive. Finally, through dialogue and listening, they encourage the patient to develop a positive and loving mental attitude towards life. For further details, see Articles of Interest.

Its practitioners^1,2 claim that the polarity can help relieve many disorders: arthritic, respiratory, digestive, immune system (chronic fatigue syndrome) and stress related (back pain, muscle tension, migraines). It would act particularly well on the lymphatic system and could facilitate healing after surgery. In Quebec, unpublished clinical studies³, carried out within the framework of supervised internships, would tend to demonstrate its effectiveness during pregnancy and in cases of depression, anxiety, exhaustion, insomnia, multiple sclerosis and cancer as well as following trauma related to sexual abuse.

However, very few of these claims have undergone rigorous scientific evaluation (see Therapeutic Applications).

We owe to D^r Randolph Stone (1890-1981) to have given birth to polarity in 1945, in the United States⁴. Both osteopath, naturopath and chiropractor, the D^r Stone was interested throughout his life in the phenomenon of energy applied for therapeutic purposes. He was inspired by Western (chiropractic, osteopathy, naturopathy) and Eastern (Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and Egyptian medicine) practices. He brought together the modern concepts of the forces of attraction and repulsion underlying all physical phenomena and the “mapping” of the energy circuits of traditional oriental medicines. He is the author of 7 books, published between 1947 and 1954, in which he explains the theoretical and practical aspects of his discoveries.

During his 60 years of practice, D^r Stone is said to have obtained remarkable results with his patients in the treatment of a large number of ailments. His philosophy was self-care. He believed that it was as important to nourish the mind as the body in order to stay healthy. For him, a good therapist, in addition to possessing his technique well, had to show compassion and openness of the heart.

He taught from 1960 to 1974 and, at the age of 84, moved to a meditation center in India where he offered his services free of charge in a clinic. He gradually retired from public life and passed away at the age of 91. His students continued his research and the application of his method. They founded the American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA) in 1984⁵.

The APTA is the international organization which oversees the practice and training in polarity. It has set up a professional training program and issued rules of use and a code of ethics. It is established in the United States, in Boulder in the State of Colorado.

La polarity is used as a method of a change., relaxation and traitement. Although no scientific study has been done so far to demonstrate the safety of polarity, it is generally considered to be a gentle and harmless technique. As with most energy therapies, very few studies have evaluated the approach.

 Improve the well-being of people with cancer. Two small studies^6,7 evaluated the effect of polarity, compared to a control group, on fatigue and quality of life in women with breast cancer during radiotherapy. In both cases, the quality of life and the degree of fatigue of the subjects who received the polarity treatments improved significantly compared to the control group. However, larger trials will be necessary to verify these positive results.

 Reduce stress for caregivers. In 2009, a randomized clinical study focused on 38 family caregivers people with dementia⁸. The effect of 8 polarity sessions was compared to that of as many respite periods where caregivers could participate in activities of their choice (music therapy, yoga, sauna or cinema). The authors observed significantly more marked reductions in perceived levels of stress and depressive symptoms in the polarity group. However, they mentioned that, since the trials involved a Native American population, the positive results observed may have been influenced by the presence of important healing traditions in their culture.

Some practitioners use the polarity as the sole method of treatment, while others use it as a complementary approach. It is practiced in private practice, in growth centers, as part of art therapy workshops and in paramedical settings (chiropractic, occupational therapy, nursing care, massage therapy, physiotherapy, osteopathy, helping relationship).

During a session, the therapist first performs a health check of the subject. Lying on a massage table, the person remains dressed in light clothing. The practitioner first examines the energetic anatomy of the subject by feeling through his hands the quality of the energy circulation. He can then apply three forms of pressure (light, medium and deep) on the soft tissues and certain energy points in order to restore, activate or slow down the energy flows.

Bodywork takes place at every meeting. Energy exercises, dietary advice, verbal exchanges and the teaching of self-polarity can be integrated into the sessions, according to the particular needs of the person.

A polarity session usually lasts 1 hour, sometimes more. To achieve a complete energy rebalancing or to treat specific ailments, therapy usually requires 6 to 8 treatments, at a rate of one per week.

To learn about the technique, weekend workshops are offered to the general public.

The APTA approved training program has 2 levels. The first, leading to the Associate Polarity Practitioner diploma, involves 155 hours of training plus supervised clinical placements. It allows the practitioner to use polarity as a complementary approach. The full program, leading to the Registered Polarity Practitioner, involves 520 additional hours of training, plus clinical practice. The training is generally spread over 2 years.

Cool Michelle. Polarity and energetic anatomy, Mélia, Canada, 2010.

In this synthesis work, the author concretely illustrates the evolution and the formation of our subtle anatomy through the intermediary of polarity.

Cool Michelle. Self-polarity – Gpractical aid for balancing vital energy, De Mortagne, Canada, 2009.

A clear and concrete book to experience the polarity on yourself.

Gordon Richard. Polarity, Éditions Soleil, Switzerland, 1984.

Translated into nine languages, this bestselling book introduces the basics of polarity.

Stone Randolf. energy, De Mortagne, Canada, 1994.

The very first book by D^r Stone. He presents his theories and his discoveries. Still relevant.

Stone Randolph. Health Building: The Conscious Art of Living Well, Book Pub Co, United States, 1999.

This is a major work. There you will find the complete health program recommended by Dr.^r Stone.

Stone Randolph. Polarity Therapy, Vol. I et Polarity Therapy, Vol. II, Book Pub Co, United States, 1999.

These two books deepen the theoretical notions of polarity. They give practical instructions on body work and energy exercises.

Video – DVD. Health differently – Polarity. University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR), 2001, 17 minutes.

Michelle Guay presents a polarity session and explains the basics with simplicity. Distributed by UQTR: (819) 376-5011, extension 2227 and by the French Association of Polarity Therapy. www.aftp.fr

American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA)

The site presents the different approaches used in polarity (body work, nutrition, energy exercises and verbal exchanges) and the state of research. It also provides a biography of D^r Randolph Stone, the creator of the approach, the history of polarity and several resources, including the international directory of accredited practitioners and schools.

www.polaritytherapy.org

Vega polarity school

A school in Quebec that has specialized in teaching polarity for over 25 years.

www.ecolevega.com

Grouping of practitioners in polarity

A Quebec group. Basic information and directory of practitioners.

www.lapolarite.com

Two private polarity therapy and teaching centers, one in Quebec and the other in the United States, publish the results of their internal clinical research and a lot of information on the approach.

International Institute of Polarity

https://polarite-michelleguay.com

Quebec Center for Integral Health Training as a School of Polarity

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Columbus Polarity Center

www.columbuspolarity.com