Trager® Approach
With a light touch and gentle wave-like movements, the Trager® Approach coaxes the
release of deeply-held tension. Resistances melt away, and one begins to feel what it is
like to move freely and pleasurably again.
"There is a way of being in which work as well as play becomes a dance and living, a
song. We can learn this way. " - Milton Trager
The effect of positive feeling sensations goes beyond the grasp of the conscious mind.
Flooded by pleasurable stimuli, the unconscious releases the limitations it's imposed on the
body. What's more, it provides a new, positive patterning for future movement.
The intention of the Trager Practitioner is not simply to massage muscles or mobilize joints,
but to produce pleasurable sensations as "new food" for the mind. As the mind integrates
these new sensations, the quality of movement changes, which in turn re-conditions the body's
tissues.
"Every shimmer of the tissue is sending a message to the unconscious mind in the form
of a positive feeling experience. It is the accumulation of these positive patterns that can
offset the negative patterns to where the positive can take over." - MT
A complete session lasts an hour. The receiver is in a bathing suit or underclothes and lies
on a padded massage table in a warm, comfortable environment.
During the session, the therapist initiates a gentle wave-like and rhythmical motion that
reverberates through the entire body in such a way that the receiver feels the freedom of
his body in unrestricted motion.
After the table session, the receiver is introduced to Mentastics® (simple movements without
effort) that allow one to actively recreate the sensations of lightness and liberty that have
been induced passively on the table.
According to most people, positive effects continue long after a session. Described
improvements include the disappearance of pain and discomfort, improved posture, wider
range-of-motion, the ability to reach a deeper level of relaxation, improved sleep, and a
general ease when engaged with most daily activities.
As these changes are the results of a process of integration, a series of sessions provide
the greatest benefit.
Applications Of The Trager® Approach
Dr. Trager took a particular interest in neuro-muscular disorders that generally do not
respond to traditional therapeutic practices. His method has had positive results with polio,
Parkinson’s, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, as well as back
problems, and it has been useful as well in improving athletic performance for world-class
athletes.
Since his retirement from private practice in 1977, Dr. TRAGER has devoted all his time to
the research, writing and teaching of his method. In 1978, he founded The Trager Institute
in California where Trager Practitioners participate in a continuous training program.
Their right to practice is renewed every year after annual evaluation of their professional
capacity.
Very popular in the U.S. and Canada, this method is growing within Europe as well.
"Trager" and "Mentastics" are registered service marks of The Trager
Institute.
