MOD149 – Shamanic Healing

Definition

Shamanic Healing is an ancient, holistic, traditional indigenous healing practice that involves working with spiritual guides, power animals, and the forces of nature to address physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances and promote healing, transformation, and empowerment. This practice views illness and imbalance as a result of disconnection from nature, spirit, and one’s true self.

Explanation

Shamanic Healing practitioners, often called shamans, act as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. They enter altered states of consciousness through techniques such as drumming, chanting, and trance induction to access the spirit world and receive guidance, insights, and healing energies for themselves and their clients. The therapy may involve soul retrieval, energy extraction, spiritual cleansing, and other rituals aimed at restoring harmony and balance.

The practice is based on the belief that all things possess a spirit or energy, and that these energies can be manipulated for healing purposes. Shamanic Healing often involves the use of sacred objects such as crystals, feathers, or herbs as tools for healing and spiritual connection. It may also include divination techniques to gain insight into the root causes of ailments or imbalances.

Shamanic Healing emphasises the interconnectedness of all living things and seeks to restore balance not just within the individual, but also between the individual and their environment, community, and the spirit world. Whilst techniques may vary across cultures, the core principle of accessing non-ordinary states of consciousness to facilitate healing remains consistent in Shamanic practices worldwide.

Evidence to Efficacy

While scientific research on Shamanic Healing is still emerging, there are encouraging findings that suggest its potential benefits for various aspects of health and wellbeing.

A study conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School, published in “Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice”, explored the experiences of clients receiving spiritual/energy healing in the UK. The findings were quite positive, with 93% of participants reporting immediate benefits, including relaxation, improved wellbeing, and reduced pain. Notably, 27% of respondents described unusual sensory experiences during their healing sessions, suggesting a unique therapeutic process at work.

The College of Healing reports that this research highlights the potential of Shamanic Healing and similar modalities to offer significant benefits, particularly for individuals experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as those dealing with chronic pain. This adds weight to the case for an integrated approach to healthcare, where Shamanic Healing could complement traditional treatments.

While not specifically focused on Shamanic Healing, a comprehensive meta-analysis commissioned by the Confederation of Healing Organisations (CHO) indicated that healing practices are effective beyond the placebo effect. This broader context supports the potential efficacy of energy-based healing modalities like Shamanic Healing.

Practitioners of Shamanic Healing often report positive outcomes in addressing a wide range of concerns, from physical ailments to emotional and spiritual imbalances. The holistic nature of this approach, which considers the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, aligns with growing interest in integrative health practices.

As research in this field continues to evolve, Shamanic Healing offers a promising avenue for those seeking complementary approaches to enhance their overall wellbeing. The positive experiences reported by many individuals suggest that this modality may have a valuable role to play in a comprehensive approach to health and healing.

The Neuroscience

While understanding is limited, potential neurological mechanisms that might explain its effects are:

Altered States of Consciousness: Shamanic practices often induce trance-like states, which neuroimaging studies have associated with changes in brain wave patterns, particularly increased theta and gamma activity.

Default Mode Network: Some researchers propose that shamanic trance states may involve alterations in the default mode network, a brain system associated with self-referential thinking and mind-wandering.

Neuroplasticity: The repetitive nature of shamanic rituals, such as drumming or chanting, might stimulate neuroplastic changes, potentially influencing emotional processing and stress responses.

Autonomic Nervous System: Shamanic practices may activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and potentially supporting the body’s natural healing processes.

Endogenous Opioid Release: Some studies suggest that trance states might trigger the release of endogenous opioids, potentially explaining reported pain-relieving effects.

Sensory Gating: The rhythmic stimuli used in shamanic practices might influence sensory gating processes, potentially altering perception and facilitating the experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness.

It’s important to note that while these explanations draw on established neuroscientific concepts, their specific application to Shamanic Healing are theoretical . The field continues to evolve, with ongoing studies exploring the complex interactions between consciousness, ritual practices, and human physiology in the context of traditional healing modalities.

Governing Body

While there is no central governing body for Shamanic Healing practitioners, several organisations provide training, certifications, and some level of oversight for practitioners. Here are some notable examples:

The Foundation for Shamanic Studies: Founded by anthropologist Michael Harner, they offer workshops, training and certification in Core Shamanism. They also maintain a directory of certified shamanic counsellors.

The Sacred Trust:  A UK-based organisation offering a Three Year Professional Shamanic Practitioner Training, with certification upon successful completion

The Society for Shamanic Practice offers workshops, retreats, and online courses. It also provides a directory of shamanic practitioners, and publishes a journal on shamanic practices

What Good Looks Like

In the context of shamanic breathwork, a positive and transformative experience should encompass several key elements:

• As you enter the sacred space, you should feel a sense of safety and reverence wash over you. The environment should be carefully prepared, perhaps with an altar, candles, or meaningful objects that create a serene atmosphere.
• You’ll be guided into a specific breathing pattern, often circular and continuous. As you settle into this rhythm, you may notice your body beginning to tingle or feel warm. This is a sign that you’re shifting into an altered state of consciousness.
• The facilitator will likely use rhythmic music or drumming to support your journey. You should feel the vibrations resonating through your body, helping to deepen your trance-like state.
• As you continue breathing, you might experience vivid imagery, memories, or emotions surfacing. These could range from joyful to challenging, but you should feel supported in allowing them to arise and move through you.
• You may find yourself experiencing physical sensations such as trembling, spontaneous movements, or even temporary numbness. These are normal and often indicate energy releasing or shifting within your body.
• Throughout the session, you should feel a growing sense of connection – to yourself, to the earth, and perhaps to what you perceive as the spirit world. This might manifest as profound insights, a sense of guidance, or feelings of unity and wholeness.
• Towards the end of the breathwork, you should experience a gentle transition back to ordinary consciousness. You might feel deeply relaxed, emotionally cleansed, and spiritually renewed.

Remember, a truly transformative shamanic breathwork session is one where you feel safe to fully surrender to the experience, trusting in the process and your own inner wisdom to guide you towards healing and insight.

What to Ask a Practitioner

Here are some key questions to help identify an exceptional Shamanic Breathwork practitioner, along with what to look for in their answers:

How do you create a safe and sacred space for Shamanic Breathwork sessions?

Desired answer: Details about rituals, energy clearing, use of sacred objects, and methods to establish a protected environment. An exceptional practitioner should emphasise the importance of creating a container that feels secure and sacred for the participant.

Can you describe your approach to guiding participants through different stages of the breathwork journey?

Desired answer: A clear understanding of the various phases of Shamanic Breathwork, including preparation, active breathing, integration, and grounding. The practitioner should demonstrate knowledge of how to support participants through each stage.

How do you handle intense emotional releases or challenging experiences during a session?

Desired answer: Specific techniques for supporting participants through difficult moments, such as grounding exercises, energy work, or verbal guidance. The practitioner should express confidence in managing intense situations whilst maintaining a calm and supportive presence.

What role does music play in your Shamanic Breathwork sessions, and how do you select it?

Desired answer: An explanation of how music is used to facilitate the journey, including details about rhythms, instruments, and the energetic qualities of the chosen music. An exceptional practitioner should have a thoughtful approach to music selection that aligns with the stages of the breathwork process.

How do you incorporate shamanic tools or practices into the breathwork experience?

Desired answer: Mention of specific shamanic tools (e.g. drums, rattles, feathers) and practices (e.g. smudging, invocation of spirit guides) and how they enhance the breathwork journey. The practitioner should demonstrate a deep understanding of shamanic traditions and their integration with breathwork.

What methods do you use to help participants integrate their experiences after a session?

Desired answer: A comprehensive approach to integration, including immediate post-session support, follow-up practices, and guidance for incorporating insights into daily life. An exceptional practitioner should emphasise the importance of integration as part of the healing process.

How do you adapt your approach for participants with different levels of experience or specific needs?

Desired answer: Flexibility in tailoring the experience to individual needs, whether for first-timers or experienced practitioners. The practitioner should show an ability to modify techniques whilst maintaining the integrity of the practice.

Key items a practitioner MUST include:

• A clear explanation of the Shamanic Breathwork process and what to expect
• An emphasis on creating a safe, supportive environment
• A commitment to respecting the participant’s boundaries and autonomy
• An understanding of the importance of integration and aftercare

Remember, an exceptional Shamanic Breathwork practitioner should demonstrate a deep understanding of both shamanic principles and breathwork techniques, an ability to hold space for intense experiences, and a genuine commitment to the participant’s healing journey.

Related Therapies

Reiki (MOD142): A Japanese energy healing technique that involves channelling universal life force energy through gentle or no touch. Reiki can be combined with sound healing to enhance relaxation and energy flow.

Energy Healing (MOD054): A range of therapies that manipulate the energy fields around the body to promote physical and emotional healing.

Sound Healing (MOD154): The use of sound vibrations, such as singing bowls or tuning forks, to promote relaxation and healing. Sound therapy can enhance the meditative state achieved during Reiki sessions.

Crystal Healing (MOD037): The use of crystals and gemstones to promote healing and balance. Practitioners believe that different stones can influence the body’s energy fields, making it a complementary practice to Reiki.

Chakra Balancing (MOD027): A practice focused on balancing the body’s energy centres (chakras) to promote physical and emotional health. Reiki practitioners often incorporate chakra work into their sessions to enhance energy flow.

Meditation (MOD099): A practice that focuses on calming the mind and enhancing awareness. Meditation can deepen the relaxation experienced during Reiki sessions and help individuals connect more profoundly with their inner selves.

Transformational Breath (MOD188): Various techniques that focus on conscious control of breathing patterns to promote relaxation, stress reduction, and emotional well-being.

Soul Retrieval (MOD153): A shamanic practice that involves retrieving fragmented parts of the soul that may have been lost due to trauma or significant life events. This therapy aims to restore wholeness, balance, and well-being by reintegrating these lost parts.