Therapy
Many therapies through which the villagers can walk their individual path, develop and fulfill their potential are offered in the village. According to the need and ability, villagers take part in individual and group therapies:
Riding Therapy
Riding therapy works with the horse and its movement as a physiotherapy instrument. The act of riding is seen as an educational, means that touches many aspects of self awareness and communication. It enhances the ability to listen and concentrate. It exercises spatial and visual orientation and balance. It works on both gross and fine motor skills. Riding takes place in a purposely built courtyard and uses the techniques of modern riding sport. It aims at trying to create a harmonic movement by using the horse’s flexible and varied movement
Through building trust between horse and rider, and working on listening and precision, a coordinated and artistic movement can be achieved. Riding therapy is indispensible in its ability to construct an experience of overcoming fear and a feeling of control. All this builds confidence, self-esteem and motivation and helps the patient to understand, learn and change.
Art Therapy
Art therapy addresses the human being as a whole, comprised of body, soul and spirit. It aims at helping to create harmony and integration between these aspects. By using color, line and shape, we can create rhythm, breathing and space which can assist us.
The artistic work enables the awakening of the individual creative potential. Experiencing oneself as a creator awakens mysterious healing forces that can give the human soul “wings”, to create enthusiasm and heat and release one from fetters and habits. Each human being carries this creative spark within. The role of therapy is to access and awaken it.
In the therapeutic session we may use various techniques, mainly water colors painting, coal sketching, form drawing and dynamic crayon drawing as well as clay or wax modeling. The individual need and ability determines the choice of technique. Sessions are given both individually and in groups and last about 20-45 minutes.
Music Therapy
Within each one of us, a virtuoso musician is trying to play the symphony of our life. However, since the instrument is never perfect, we experience a lack of harmony in life. Music enables us in a joyful and creative way, to get to know ourselves better, to overcome our limitations and to find our true place in the symphony of life. Different musical elements such as rhythm, harmony or melody, are related to different qualities in the human being. If we work and play with music with the right intention then we allow certain complexities and developmental barriers to surface so that we can work with them and overcome them in an indirect and creative way. Music moves us, motivates, and helps in enhancing motor skills. Music encourages us to broaden the range of soul expression. Music also encourages our memory and our ability to learn.
Curative Eurhythmy
Curative Eurhythmy is a kind of movement therapy. It is an integral part of Anthroposphic Medicine, founded by Dr. Ita Wegman and Dr. Rudolf Steiner. The basic elements of Curative Eurhythmy are the elements of language (vowels, consonants) and musical elements (tones, intervals). These elements are specifically used according to the diagnosis and the therapeutic aims. The forming quality of speech and music is transformed into movements of the whole body, mainly the limbs, and thus turning it into a healing force. Every vowel, consonant or tone have a certain connection to the body’s life processes. Curative Eurhythmy forms, orders and balances between physical, mental and spiritual processes, in the entire organism as well as in specific organs and systems.
The aim of curative eurhythmy is to enliven, strengthen, and balance the healthy functions of the human body, in order to counter-act dysfunctions and imbalance that may lead to a chronic or acute illness. This aim is achieved through active of passive movement exercises.
Speech Formation
Nowadays, speech is mainly related to the content, to the conveying of information from one person to another. Like many other things in our modern time, speech has become functional and lost much of its vitality. In the art of speech we try to work with different aspects apart of the content and thus re-enliven speech. We begin with an intimate process of familiarizing ourselves with each sound and its qualities. In this way, for example, we can experience the difference between the forming consonants and the flowing moving vowels. When we dive into the world of speech, each syllable provides a unique encounter between consonant and vowel; the living rhythms of language unfold. The various questions that arise from artistic speech create a new space, important as the space of speech – the space of listening.
Sounds, rhythms, voice, the speaking and listening spaces are the building blocks of speech formation therapy. Speech therapy attempts tending to speech difficulties such as mispronunciation, missing out of certain consonants, lack of flow and more. The therapeutic process demands practice and patience, because the patients need to learn to play their instrument and to change deeply rooted habits.
Another aspect of the therapy is the connection between speech and breathing. Speech forms our out breath flow, and thus the manner in which one speaks has many effects on both the physical and mental level. When we perceive breathing not only as a physical process but also as the carrier of mental processes, we begin to understand the profound meaning of harmonizing breathing. Through the work in speech formation we can intervene in various medical conditions like asthma, hyperventilation, high or low blood pressure and anemia.
Rhythmical massage
Rhythmical Massage Therapy uses a gentle rhythmical breathing quality of touch which can penetrate the tissue deeply. The movements are rounded with an element of suction rather than pressure and are designed to influence the flow of fluids through the body. It enables the life processes in the tissues to be stimulated and lifted out of gravity into levity. In most of the treatments a variety of oils and ointments are used. As well as easing common physical aches and pains, rhythmical massage therapy can significantly influence our emotional health, reassuring, reviving and healing.
Therapy is given in a warm room with the client well wrapped in sheets or towels. Only the area to be treated is right uncovered. Each session lasts 20 to 30 minutes and is then followed by a rest period of approximately the same duration. The rest period is considered an integral part of the treatment. It is particularly beneficial in the treatment of acute and chronic conditions. For example: orthopaedic problems, circulatory problems and pain management. It is also effective in treating psychological conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, emotional trauma and immune deficiencies.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a branch of the profession of primary health care that is based primarily on movement and physical function. Physiotherapy contributes to human health and well-being by providing opportunities for optimal utilization of functional abilities to promote an independent and active life in all spheres of life and participation in society.
Animal therapy
Studies show that people who raise pets enjoy better health. Raising pets can lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and help maintain optimal weight. Pets reduce stress, depression and anxiety, and even improve social relationships. Animal therapy is a special aspect of caring for animals. Pet therapy involves a treatment triangle of the patient, an appropriate animal, and a skilled, trained therapist. The therapy takes place in a defined time and place, and is directed to a specific purpose. It is important to note that the therapeutic process is always guided by a skilled therapist, and the right animal. The therapist is creating a space for play, experimentation, reflection, and listening between the patient and the therapy animal. This offers a broad platform for growth and overcoming difficulties.
Chinese Medicine
