Polarity Therapy

Polarity Therapy is a natural healthcare system with its scope of practice based upon the universal principles of energy: attraction, repulsion and neutrality. The interrelation of these principles forms the basis for every aspect of life, including our experience of health, wellness and disease. With this understanding, Polarity Therapy addresses the interdependence of body, mind and spirit and the value of creating a way of life in harmony with nature.

As part of the larger field of Energy Medicine, Polarity Therapy complements existing systems with an integrated, holistic model. Polarity Therapy is a transformative influence for change in healthcare and in wellness education.

The practice of polarity is a system of energetic touch, reflex and acupressure points that balance energy flow in the body. Polarity, an integrative approach to healing and wellness, involves energetic bodywork, energetic exercise and polarity yoga stretches, and energetic food awareness. These techniques reduce stress, increase vital energy and promote healing through self-awareness. Polarity, having its structure in the traditional system of Ayurvedic medicine, defines patterns of health based upon the concept of energy movement, the balance of the five Elements of Life – Ether, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. The practice of polarity will focus on the flow and balance of energy as the foundation of good health.

The Profession

Polarity, within its scope of practice includes energetic approaches to somatic energetic contact, verbal facilitation, energetic foods, polarity yoga and self help exercise and health education.

Entry into the profession requires a thorough knowledge of energetic principles. The course of study includes entry level and advanced education, with certification programs in basic and advanced training.

As a profession, Polarity Therapy upholds basic values such as service, diversity, spirituality, the sacredness of relationship, community outreach, accessibility and the Polarity Therapy professional’s continual growth and development.

Future-sighted and research-oriented, Polarity Therapy professionals are both participants and leaders in redefining the healthcare field. Polarity practitioners, "APP/RPP" are registered by the American Polarity Therapy Association. APTA sets standards, rules and regulations for the profession of Polarity Therapy. As a governing body, APTA has a strict code of ethics and an
elected member board (www.polaritytherapy.org)

Polarity training schools under the Ohio Institute of Energetic Studies and Bodywork in Ohio are registered by the State of Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (Reg. #00-01-1528T).

Experiencing a Polarity Session

In a polarity session the practitioner and client work together to assess physical, mental and emotional energetic imbalances. The session will begin with a conversation which determines the focus of the energetic work. The client will feel comfortable by wearing loose fitting clothing and relaxing on a polarity table. The practitioner may begin, for example, at the head or the feet using energetic acupressure points and energetic reflex contacts. Polarity balancing consists of off the body energetic balancing (Sattvic), as well as point specific energetic contacts (Tamasic) or gentle rocking movements (Rajasic). The session will end with relaxation and breathing techniques. Often self care exercises and polarity yoga stretches are suggested to develop strategies for resolving issues causing energy blocks.

Polarity Practitioners

Polarity practitioners are certified by The American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA), the governing body of Polarity Therapy. A Registered Polarity Practitioner (RPP) must have 750 hours
of class work plus clinical experience hours. They are highly skilled and trained practitioners with knowledge of and training in Anatomy, Physiology, Energy Theories and Principles of Polarity, Polarity Energetic Bodywork, Communication, Energetic Evaluation, Energetic Food Awareness, Stretching Postures and Ethics and Standards for Polarity Practitioners. An Associate Polarity Practitioner (APP) is an Associates Certification with 155 hours of training plus supervised clinical work. All Polarity Practitioners must adhere to The American Polarity Therapy Association’s Standards and Bylaws and be an APTA member in good standing in order to practice.

American Polarity Therapy Association

Polarity Therapy is a rapidly growing profession and comes under the guidance of APTA. APTA accredits and sets the standards for the profession of Polarity Therapy. APTA is the primary national organization with a Board of Directors and an Ethics Board, that supports the promotion and development of Polarity Therapy as a field and as a profession. APTA fulfills the following functions:

• sets standards of excellence for practice, education and ethical conduct;
• actively protects the right to practice Polarity Therapy;
• is responsible and accountable to its membership;
• supports harmony, diversity and relationship as essential ingredients to a functional and balanced organization;
• provides a range of member benefits, designed to maximize the potential of the individual member to succeed in the field of Polarity Therapy;
• ensures its long-term success by creating organization and financial stability;
• regulates the practice of Polarity by maintaining high competency standards for registration of Polarity Practitioners and schools;
• sets standards for registration of RPP (Registered Polarity Practitioners) and APP (Association Polarity Practitioners);
• has an ongoing Ethics Board that provides and promotes consumer protection and monitors scope of practice issues.