The Transformative Process

How is Martha's Studio different from conventional “treatment”?

It depends on how you define “treatment”. As long as you work with people, there will always be some overlap with traditional treatment because the essence is that there is a meeting between a professional and a client. However, this meeting can be personal and spontaneous or it can follow a standardized script.

The main difference that Martha brings to the table is the creativity and the transdisciplinarity (integration of multiple disciplines) of the work. Martha uses techniques from the theater to challenge the brain and to utilize the concept of neuroplasticity. She engages in an interpersonal process with the intent of supporting the client through an alchemical process resulting in “gold” which in this context means that the client develops a solid sense of self.

The work is not about Martha sitting passively in a chair. Rather, she challenges you, moves with you, and supports you in cultivating an acute awareness of your body and mind which facilitates a pain free life and adaptability to the ongoing changes of life.

Modalities

The main reason you come to Martha's studio is because something in your life is not working well and you want to make some changes.

The brain & body connection is crucial for making any kind of changes, be it for pain in the body or emotional upheaval.

We use a number of modalities to feed the brain & body connection in order to facilitate changes that can ease physical pain and untangle emotional turmoil. We can integrate all of the modalities below or we can focus more on one of them, the healing process is tailored according to your needs.

We help you:

Access dormant parts of your mind and body through movement, creativity and interpersonal connection

Cultivate heightened awareness of your body and your emotions.

Cultivate new interpersonal skills, lower social anxiety.

Cultivate body/mind connection through use of breath and movement.

Develop mental and physical balance through functional balance training

Relieve pain through therapeutic bodywork applying a mix of sophisticated bodywork and osteopathic techniques.

Relieve pain by ironing out imbalance in strength using functional exercises.

Lexicon

Learn more about the concepts behind Martha’s practice.

  • The brain thrives on novelty. When the brain is challenged to deal with new information, the door to change is opened. We therefore use novel movements and a variety of interactive techniques so that the brain receives information that is different from everyday life, facilitating the emergence of new ideas and thoughts.

    The latter is a result of neuroplasticity (brain’s ability to change). Introducing and repeating new ways of thinking, reacting and moving make the brain literally change its neuronal connections. Concrete examples of movement are gait pattern (walking), and posture. A small shift in gait and/or posture can create a remarkable modulation in the brain which translates into changes in how you experience yourself in the world. This change in the brain is available at all ages, but it happens more slowly and needs more repetition as we age.

  • The meeting between you and Martha takes place in what is referred to as the aesthetic relational field. This refers to the experiential interpersonal field that is perceived by the senses and via awareness.This field requires our bodies, which is our main sensory organ, as well as our minds, which is the site of awareness. The function of “aesthetics” is related to beauty and the experience of art.

    The magic of the aesthetic relational field is that something is always happening. There is no room for boredom when one is willing to engage and be present in the field. The field offers an opportunity to have an experience through our bodily senses and creative mind, versus via our cognitive heads where we live most of the time. In other words, together, we create a “space” for change and new discoveries to emerge.

    The aesthetic relational field requires body awareness which is one of the skills Martha helps you cultivate. Body awareness is the ability to pay attention to yourselves, to feel your bodily sensations and movements in the present moment without analysis or judgment.