The Martial Model of Therapy...?

[Rick_Lefever]

Throughout the years as I've been studying and practicing therapy I have repeatedly run across references to and allusions toward the martial arts in different therapy styles. It always makes me wonder...is there anything "martial", i.e. 'warlike' about therapy?

Perhaps the idea is that we pummell our client's problems into submission. That certainly has a bit of truth with the EFT techniques (I'm a black belt at tapping). The traditional martial arts also have a strong focus on energy manipulation, but still in a 'martial' context. I would not want to bring that dynamic into play with the majority of my clients.

So, I ask the queston of those more versed in the subject than I am, what are the elements of martial arts that lend themselves to therapy?
And, is that a useful model for some?

Curiously,

Richard Lefever

[Paul Hastings]

There is an angle between the arts and therapy.
Self defence and martial arts.
Physical self defence and that includes against disease and illness.
Emotional self defence, and most of our clients do beat them selves up and are requiring methods to stop doing this to them selves.
Financial self defence.
Relationship self defence.

Many arts have a healing side traditionally and masters usually are skilled in one form of healing or another, yes due to injures that the students have, but also as part of the self discovery and income. The knowledge obtained in the arts is useful elsewhere.

Outside of the killing arena.

I am both a martial artist and a therapist, does not mean I beat up my clients.