By Richard Strozzi-Heckler The Anatomy of Change: A Way to Move Through Life's Transitions Second Edition (Reprint) [Paperback]

by Richard Strozzi-Heckler

Shows how to use Aikido and Lomi bodywork to overcome psychological conditioning and discusses the mind-body relationship

Genres: Psychology, Leadership, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Bodies, Health, Self Help

Unknown Binding

First published October 12, 1984

About the author

Richard Strozzi-Heckler, PhD is founder and Co-Director of Methodology at Strozzi Institute. He has spent over four decades researching, developing and teaching Somatics to business leaders, executive managers, teams from Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, technology start-ups, non-profits, the U.S. government and military.

He was named one of the Top 50 Executive Coaches in The Art and Practice of Leadership Coaching, and in Profiles in Coaching. He is the co-founder of the Mideast Aikido Project (MAP), which brings together Palestinians and Israelis through the practice of Aikido.

Richard is the author of eight books, including The Leadership Dojo, In Search of the Warrior Spirit, The Anatomy of Change, Holding the Center and The Art of Somatic Coaching: Embodying Skillful Action, Wisdom, and Compassion. From 2002 to 2007 he was an advisor to NATO and the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe (SACEUR) General Jim Jones, formally the National Security Advisor.

Richard has a PhD in Psychology and is a sixth degree black belt in the martial art of Aikido.

Reviews

[Claudia Putnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read, but it the end you probably need a coach, which seems out of reach for me...

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and guide to understand body/mind/spirit integration, see concrete practises and also form a better understanding how to face difficult times of change through your body! Can recommend it to anyone who is serioulsy interested in increasing his/her self-awareness in a more holistic way and wants to increase everyday presence and gravitas for a more balanced and fulfilled life.

[EL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the book are 'what's, so if you're looking for 'how's (like I was), this may not be the most useful. There are a few interesting physical exercises documented, but they lacked instruction in the day-to-day applications. There are a number of anecdotes from the author's own professional practice, which I greatly appreciated, but they lacked explanation for the reader who is seeking to understand and learn how to intervene somatically. Even the final chapter, "Taking It To Others" was inaptly titled, as it is still opinions, knowledge and stories of the author, without teaching any concrete intervention techniques. The book has value, but apparently not the sort I sought.

[Alex Delogu · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about returning to the feeling of the body. Wonderfully written and easy to read it offers some theories about the movement of emotion that are brought to life by case vignettes. The highlight of the book for me was the chapter on the Rhythm of Excitement which explains the notion of emotional energy in such a down to earth way, again with very relatable examples. This has been the most lucid account of energy I have read to date. There is a small section with actual movement practices.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those of us interested in somatic work and how it affects psychology, trauma symptoms, and the ability to function better in the world with less anxiety, this book is written by one of the early western practitioners combining these ideas.

It's early thinking on these intersections, and how body, mind, emotions, and spirit are intertwined. It's staying in my library as reference of these early ideas and where some of my training has come from.

[Alex Linschoten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't the kind of book that you read and absorb in a single sitting. Much of it rings true, but to really benefit from it would mean to absorb its message(s) in the body, something much harder said than done. I will be returning to this one.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh, I love this one! I bought it for a class a million years ago, before I was ready to read it. Actually, let me tell you that story, too.

I was only twenty, and I had just "run away from home" or whatever it is that you do when you leave without notice, when you are an adult. ("Pulling a geographic" is another way to put it.) So, I came back to the city (i.e., Oakland), and I started auditing this really amazing class in Somatics at the now-defunct New College in SF. And I was a right mess, in those days, but I was growing the best that I could in the circumstances. This class was totally transformational, too; I could feel that, even if I couldn't show up for it. And I literally could not show up for it.

I bought this book for the class, and then, when I ran back to the farm, I put the book far away. Years ago. And forgot about it. Until last winter, when my brother was cleaning out the barn behind his place and found all of my old things, including many many exciting books, of which this was one.

So, now, five and 3/4 years sober, I am ready for it, as I am moving into the body I've been living in for 30 years. This book explores the physicality of having a body. There is no good way to really describe it, which makes the feat of this book all the more impressive. The books has explanations and exercises, and it moves things into the world of "now-what" which I appreciate.

Two things keeping it from 5-star rating: 1) it feels a little scattered, like at the end, it kind of peters out, for some reason; 2) it is from the 90s and it hasn't exactly aged gracefully. It is interesting to see what I think/feel has changed over the last 10-15 years. I don't know how to put it exactly, but there is something in the way he writes about violence-- oh, I know, the rhetoric of violence has shifted a great deal since 9/11/01. In the nineties, I think people were still talking about one-on-one violence as the big threat, whereas now, "terrorism" is the focus. I think it would be interesting to get an update, in the light of the 5+ year (illegal) war America is waging in Iraq, with a particular emphasis on our use of torture "as an interrogation technique."

Man, it just got heavy in here. I guess I'll end on the note that this book made me want to read more by Strozzi Heckler, and also to take aikido classes.

[Steve Rangoussis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting piece of work dealing with the physical to develop the emotional & spiritual in the individual. The author uses Aikido in his therapy sessions to teach clients to be centered, spiritually aware beings. Of particular interest are the examples of those with posture related issues and emotional problems that promote them. The author addresses these issues through body work to resolve deep rooted emotional issues and bring happiness & calm into clients lives.

Worth the read, certainly has me more aware, sitting and walking more appropriately with my back straight :)

[Janne Asmala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful message on the importance of embodiment with a clear conceptual framework around it. The book reads like a teaser for further information on this framework and how to work with it, which I think is a bit unfortunate considering that at 138 pages, there would've been room for more information.

[Katya Merezhinsky]

Incredible book for body workers, athletes, dancers and those who are interested in connection between physical movement and emotion. Nothing conceptually new for me, but great language and wording.

[stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

important stuff about how our emotions can cause a physical lock in the body, and reading it encourages me to stretch and physicalize in order to break bad habits.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book got me excited about the possibility of practicing aikido.