THE METHOD
The Grinberg Method® is a holistic system based on the Four Elements theory (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth). This Four Elements model is developed from the unique structure of the feet and the approach of Avi Grinberg, the founder of this form of bodywork.
The Grinberg Method® is a practical, experience-based approach and defines itself as a teaching method. Avi Grinberg recognised early on that accessing chronic or acute pain conditions or states of discomfort through the body led to outstanding results. Driven by his curiosity and desire to learn more, Avi Grinberg studied and practiced numerous body-centered approaches, traveled to many cultures, and learned from many (ancient) traditions. From this exploration, the Grinberg Method® eventually emerged, a distinct approach to chronic physical conditions and the behavioral patterns that accompany them.
THE Origin
Interestingly, the structure and approach of the Four Elements were already known and appreciated in ancient Greek natural philosophy (e.g., Empedocles, ca. 494–434 BC). The characteristics of the four elements found in nature (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) form a central pillar of the Grinberg Method®, both in its view of the human being and in its unique way of working with clients. From this synthesis of acquired knowledge and personal experience, Avi Grinberg has been developing this distinct methodology, the Grinberg Method®, continuously since the mid-1980s.
As a compact, contemporary, and holistic system, it has now been taught, practiced, adapted, and developed internationally for over 30 years. During this time, the experiences Avi Grinberg had with clients have been confirmed countless times by his students.
In Austria, the first training courses were held in 1991, and since then, countless practitioners have been trained worldwide.
The Amsterdam Academy for Body Learning will be the first to offer the Grinberg Method training in the Netherlands.
Why it WORKS
The Grinberg Method® is a bodywork approach that teaches people to direct their attention to their body, thoughts, emotions, and needs in order to achieve greater well-being, higher levels of energy, and balance in daily life.
It’s a holistic training of perception. In order to expand personal awareness, it is necessary to generate energy and attention. With this, much can be moved and changed.
The beginning of a learning process (this is what a series of individual sessions is called) usually starts with a foot assessment (an evaluation of the person’s current state using the Four Elements theory through the feet). In this assessment, the goal that the client wishes to achieve is clarified and defined. This enables rapid and efficient identification of tension patterns, knots, blockages, and full-body disturbances in perception.
In the implementation phase (individual session), the client's attention is guided toward their own body through verbal instruction and various types of touch (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth touches). In this way, clients can recognize and experience how they themselves generate and maintain imbalances, physical knots, blockages, or recurring behavioral patterns (routines).
Once clients have experienced this, the only thing left is to teach them how they can stop or let go of what they are doing that causes discomfort.
Awareness of breath, stillness, and silence, improved concentration, dealing with chronic tension patterns, and more are taught and deepened in each session, always through the body. The goal is for the client to learn how to independently stop unwanted tension patterns, imbalances, or blockages in the body and thus restore balance to both body and mind. The efficiency of the method lies in the fact that client and practitioner work together toward a previously defined goal, and that increased body awareness enables the client to dissolve blockages and tension patterns on their own.
This way of teaching, through touch, verbal instructions, physical exercises, immersion into everyday situations (where imbalances usually originate), and a movement concept tailored to the client, is characteristic of the method. One of the core principles of the Grinberg Method® is: “Human beings are designed to learn and adapt.”
This individually tailored approach to chronic, recurring states in the body primarily serves to support the body in balancing and regenerating itself, so that the client can fully tap into their potential in everyday life.
Why MAKES THIS METHOD POWERFUL?
The power of this method is the combination of bodywork, talking,
and - as a practitioner - learning to feel your client.
Not only through your hands, but also through another, very humane, skill
we possess as humans: containing (our ability to pay attention with all of ourselves).
We often feel the moods, emotions, and feelings of others, and without proper training, we get confused: Is this my emotion, or does this belong to someone else?
During the training, you will cultivate this skill, become clear on how to have it as a human quality, and guide your clients (and yourself) out of the maze of mind activity and emotional entanglement.
