What is it? Metamorphosis is a hands-on therapy, applying gentle touch to the spinal reflex points of the feet, hands, head and the spine itself. Metamorphic practitioners believe that our individual experiences in the womb and at conception create the emotional patterns that carry through our lives. They believe such experiences are the roots of illness, addiction, stress, emotional problems and depression.
What does it treat? Metamorphosis does not treat individual conditions, but aims to free us from constraints we have placed on ourselves and allow more spontaneous, natural flow to life. It was originally used to release emotional blockages in children with learning disabilities.
A first timer's experience (27-year-old writer): "I went to the home of the practitioner and we sat on a sofa in her living room. She said she wouldn't tell me what would happen in the session or what to expect.
"I took off my shoes and socks and she began rubbing my feet one by one, starting with the big toe. She used light, repetitive strokes which felt almost like she was washing my feet without water. She explained how the top of the big toe relates to the preconception period; the joint of the big toe to the point of conception and the ankle to the birthing process.
"I was relaxed and a bit heavy, but didn't feel anything significant. She did the same strokes on my hands from the top of my thumb down to the joint and up my wrist, and then on my head, from the top of my crown down to my neck and around my ears. "She didn't ask me any questions, but chatted away about the history of metamorphosis and her connections with it. She talked about pre-conception and other matters which were too abstract for me. I didn't understand how the rubbing actions could work to unblock energy prenatally!
"I felt a little confused at the end of the 90-minute session. I left feeling more relaxed and as if I had just woken up. I went on to do my usual Friday night things feeling no different than usual."
An advocate's view: Helen Muller (40) is a full-time student in psychology and theology. "I am someone who didn't have much faith in these kind of things. But I changed my tune after I had a session. Directly afterwards, I felt more relaxed, nothing more. Then, one week later, I started to have very vivid dreams and began to feel completely different.
"It was an epochal event in my life. My attitude changed. I became more selfish, avoiding difficult situations and people, rather than always giving. My body also changed. I am an asthmatic and my asthma cleared. I started walking straighter and began to take more care of myself. I also got rid of a lot of my fears. But, still I didn't know how or why these changes came about. "That was three years ago. I have been back again for a few session since, the last of which was a year ago. I know that I will go back if I come up against difficulties in work or relationships."
The medical view: Dr Muiris Houston, Irish Times Medical Correspondent says: `While the concept of freeing up blocks of time to allow us to develop a healthy life is a laudable one, there is no clinical evidence to suggest that metamorphosis as a therapy brings about any specific health benefits."
Metamorphosis Ireland, Shiloh, Clondulane, Fermoy, Co Cork (tel: 025-31525) has approximately 30 qualified practitioners among its members. Approximately 20 practitioners are affiliated to the Metamorphic Technique Association, 67 Ritherdon Road, London SW17 8QE, England (tel: 0044-181- 6725951). A one-hour session costs between £30 and £35.
See also www.metamorphosis/Feet.com
