The Rosen Method has grown in the 50 years since it was first developed.  It is now offered by over 320 practitioners, in 13 countries, through out Europe, Australia and the U.S.

The body work and movement methods were researched and designed using a physical therapy foundation.  Most exercise or bodywork programs are designed to produce various benefits.  Tai Chi is a martial art.  Yoga aims to produce heightened awareness states.  Dance is for … dancing.

The Rosen Method is specifically designed to rejuvenate, reduce stress and release inner muscle tensions (holdings).  This allows the client to experience more energy, blood flow, endorphin production, oxygen, and oxytocin availability to be available to the body for healing, regeneration, alertness.  In general, it produces a greater vitality and capacity to accomplish more with ones life.

It uses specific techniques of ‘Listening Hands’, ‘Work IN’ and breath work.  This is why Rosen Method clients often feel that they are actualizing their lives.

Rosen Method Body Work

Rosen Method Body Work practitioners are specifically trained in ‘Listening Hands’ and ‘Listening Touch’ techniques.

They learn to use a gentle touch in such a way that it feels like the hands are deeply reaching the client. Unlike massage therapy, the design is to let the hands listen, rather than manipulate. This is a ‘go slow and reach deep’ approach to access places of inner muscle, joint or organ tension (holdings).

The Practitioner begins by noticing how the client is breathing and noticing signs of body tension. As the ‘Listening Touch’ is applied, the client’s breath is carefully watched and other physical changes are noted.

Verbal cues are spoken to the client to bring their awareness to the places of body tension. Often the client’s stories, attitudes, memories – both conscious and unconscious – emerge.

The attention of the client and the practitioner stays with the tension, even as it shifts in the body, until it is released.

This release of the underlying cause (belief, trauma, disappointment) and the body tension frees up energy, which adds to one’s vitality.

Rosen Method Movement

Rosen Method movement class practitioners are specifically trained to take clients through a ‘Work IN’.

The classes are fun and easy, with deep results. The Movement classes or private sessions utilize the physical therapy approach to :

• Live daily life with more ease
• Prevent difficulties before they arise
• Rehabilitate from injury, surgery, and sedentary lifestyles
• Age gracefully
• Feel better

The ‘Work IN’ technique is an East meets West combination of movement integrating selected stretching, isometrics, martial arts, dance and other movement in specific sequence to open joints, strengthen muscles, add balance and flexibility.

As clients feel the effects of carefully selected music and movement, emotions can be expressed adding to the depth of rejuvenation.

Marion Rosen is a physical therapist who has dedicated her life to easing the suffering in others.  Through out her life she studied and gathered methods to re-new and rejuvenate as many as she could, founding a work, the Rosen Method Movement and Rosen Method Body Work, that is now 50 years old, with over 320 practitioners in 13 countries throughout Europe, Australia and the U.S. Her unique approach to bodywork (including breath work) and movement has earned her international recognition as a leader and originator of body oriented therapies.

Born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1914, her early years were challenging due to being born Jewish, yet raised Lutheran.  This mix of heritage became a key factor in her life journey, which ultimately led to Berkeley, California.

Marion’s lineage traces to the influence of psychoanalyst Dr. Carl Jung and Elsa Gindler.  Elsa, a contemporary of Jung, specialized in the integration of physical and personal development.  While breathing and relaxation techniques are ancient and well respected in the East, Ms. Gindler can be credited as one of the forerunners of Western breathing and relaxation practices.

One of Elsa’s students was Lucy Heyer, (wife of Dr. Gustav Heyer, colleague and former student of Dr. Jung).  Lucy’s focus was using massage, breath work and relaxation methods.  She, along with a small group of other therapists, created a multi-disciplinary, experimental clinical setting, which drew patients from all over Germany because of the accelerated results of the integrated therapies. It was Lucy Heyer who took Marion Rosen as a student for her two year apprenticeship.

When Marion’s family fled Germany due to Hitler’s influence, she found herself in Sweden.  She completed her first formal physical therapy training in Stockholm.

Deciding to leave Europe entirely due to World War II, Marion heading for the United States and settled in Berkeley, near the Richmond shipyards, during the early 1940’s.  She began working as a physical therapist at Kaiser Hospital, which led her to obtain her US Physical Therapist Certification from the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis.

Returning to Berkeley, Marion ultimately left the hospital setting and opened her own practice.  Years later, she formalized the Rosen Method Bodywork and Rosen Method Movement Classes, including opening her base school in Berkeley, California.