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Zero Balancing - Nicci Talbot

Zero Balancing

‘If you touch one thing with deep awareness, you touch everything’, says Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher and author. This is the principle behind zero balancing, a non-invasive therapy, which works on the body at a physical and energetic level. Bone/cellular level is where unconscious physical and emotional tension is held. It can help with physical aches and pains, posture problems, long-term stress and anxiety, negative thinking and self-esteem. Nicci Talbot puts it to the test.

The Origins of Zero Balancing
Fritz Smith, an American osteopath discovered the benefits of zero balancing in 1973 (so-named after a client commented that receiving it was like ‘being brought back to balance, to zero’. He was fascinated by acupuncture, which helps energy move to rebalance the body and wanted to find a way to combine the Eastern practice of energy work with the more scientific approach to the body practiced in the West. His aim was to create one therapy, which harnessed both approaches to create homeostasis.

‘Zero balancing is the only practice I’ve come across that works directly with the tissue and cells of the bones themselves, rather than the spaces between the bones or the bones as part of a skeletal structure or framework,’ says St Leonards-based therapist Nicky Smith.

‘I’m working with the energy flow through the bone. Bone is the densest tissue and therefore has the clearest flow of energy. I’m simply feeling for where there is a lack or excess of energy and by holding a still point or traction, I’m offering a clearer, stronger field of energy around which the body decides how to rebalance itself.’

A Zero Balancing Session
At the start of my session Nicky asked if there were any emotional or physical issues I wanted to resolve. I have been feeling tired and lacking in energy and put this down to the usual demands of work and childcare. I also feel stiff in my lower back, shoulders and wrists and my posture goes to pot after sitting at a laptop all day without a proper desk.

Nicky asked me to lie, fully clothed on the couch and relax. ‘I know you’re writing about this and want to remember what happens but trust that you will do so and enjoy the experience.’ She has a soothing voice and calm manner and I felt myself begin to relax and drift off.

Holding both of my ankles firmly, Nicky swayed me gently from side to side to ground me. She then proceeded to work her way up my body performing a series of moves called fulcrums. These are rocking, twisting, stroking, finger pressure and held traction. The pressure was firm and comforting (at no point was I in pain) and interspersed with frequent pauses to enable her to tune into my body and energy flow, which enables the body to begin to reset itself.

I guess there is a routine or protocol for ZB sessions but to me, it seemed to be a fairly personalized treatment. Moves are adapted according to what the therapist senses about the client’s energy and Nicky spent a lot of time on my back, repositioning, feeling my ribs and spine and stretching me out.

She explained that areas of the body that require release or extra attention often feel colder or are of a different grain or consistency. As the treatment progressed she checked in with me to see how I was feeling but there was no pressure to engage in conversation or assist the moves. I wanted to receive and Nicky acted as a conduit, helping my body to do what it needed to do to rebalance me.

The hour disappeared and I could have lay there all day – it is deeply relaxing. Nicky showed me how to get off the couch properly by rolling on to my side and using my arm as leverage rather than pulling myself up by my neck, which is what I tend to do first thing in the morning. This was a useful tip and I now do this every morning to avoid putting excess strain on my body.

Walking back to work I felt relaxed, taller, calm and clear-headed. For the rest of the day I was more centred and positive, more aware of my posture and felt in tune with my body. I am impressed with zero balancing after one session and I imagine the benefits are significant after several sessions (a minimum of three is recommended).

I wish I had known about zero balancing during and after my pregnancy, as I think it would have helped tremendously, physically and emotionally. I craved treatments at this time and remember feeling frustrated that I could only have facials, and hand/foot massage in the first trimester.

For Zero Balancing Awareness Week (February 21st – 28th 2010) Nicky Smith is running an introductory clinic on Tuesday 23rd at 5-7pm and on Wednesday 24th at 10 to 12pm. This is at the special rate of £10 for 20 minutes.

For those wanting a full session, make a booking for yourself and a friend and get two sessions for the price of one. Normal fees are £40 per session. Bookings must be made by Monday 29th February. Nicky’s website is: www.bodywisdom.org.uk. She offers Zero Balancing from her home in St Leonards and at The Wellington Centre.

The Zero Balancing Association has information about training and local therapists: info@zerobalancinguk.org, www.zerobalancinguk.org or call 0845 603 6805.

Nicci Talbot

Nicci Talbot is a writer, blogger and the author of several sex and health books. She blogs on sex, health and wellbeing, and offers a personal shopping service for those who are looking for stylish, eco-friendly sex toys, products and experiences. Nicci is launching an adult dating site called Naughty Nicci next month. See what she's up to on Twitter: @niccitalbot

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