The STAR Method Module 1

The
STAR Method (Module 1)

Self-Healing with Therapeutic Touch
by Parama K. Williams, MA, CMT, CYT
www.ParamaWilliams.com
All rights reserved. This book is licensed for your personal use only. No part of this book may be
reprinted or reproduced in any form without the written permission of the author.
Copyright 2014 by Parama K. Williams
Photographs by William Oliver Pillow
Cover art by Alison Maupin
The information in this book is provided as an educational resource and is not intended as specific
medical advice or as a substitute for medical treatment or diagnosis. Anyone seeking medical advice
or diagnosis should consult his or her primary care provider. Do not attempt self-diagnosis, and do
not embark upon self-treatment of any kind without qualified medical supervision. The author, the
publisher, and its employees disclaim any liability, loss, or risk incurred directly or indirectly as a
result of the use or application of any of the contents of this book.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following people for their contributions to The STAR Method:
My husband John for your loving companionship, patience, keen intellect, and encouragement;
My graduate degree advisor, Elissa Wolfe Poel, for your support and guidance;
Chuck Woodson, Ginny Mitchell, and Marty Collins for providing needed resources;
Constance DAngelis for your mentorship as an author;
Jim Fowler for your friendship, and for hugging my favorite tree;
Dwight Carter for being a shining example of personal discipline, integrity, and dedication to ones
life mission;
All my teachers, for sharing your knowledge and wisdom, and for your inspiration;
Thank you.
Dedication
This book is dedicated with appreciation to those who have helped in many ways.
To my grandmother Mary, who mentored me from a young age to become a professional massage and
bodywork therapist
To my parents, Kelli and Leo, who raised me in a home with wholesome family dinners and plenty of
scholarly books
To my husband John, whose enduring love has transformed my life
To all my teachers, who dedicated their lives to imparting knowledge
To future generations of brave warriors, whose legacy will be a cultural revolution
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Praise for The STAR Method
Prologue: Radical Reform
Introduction: An Urgent Call to Action for All Humanity
How to Use This Book Series
The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and Realization
Benefits of Therapeutic Touch
Testimonials and Anecdotes
Activating Your Awareness of Energy
How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal Oneself
Guiding Principles
Instructions
Hand Position 1: Opening Affirmation/Prayer
Hand Position 2: Centering
Hand Position 3: Scanning the Body
Hand Position 4: The Spiral Symbol
Hand Position 5: The Chalice
Hand Position 6: The V
Hand Position 7: The Sun
Hand Position 8: Right Hip
Hand Position 9: Right Abdomen
Hand Position 10: Left Abdomen
Hand Position 11: Left Hip
Hand Position 12: The Cross Symbol
Hand Position 13: The Lovers
Hand Position 14: The Butterfly

Hand Position 15: Left Shoulder
Hand Position 16: Left Breast
Hand Position 17: Lungs
Hand Position 18: Right Breast
Hand Position 19: Right Shoulder
Hand Position 20: The Star Symbol
Hand Position 21: The Minds Eye
Hand Position 22: The Crown
Hand Position 23: Eyes
Hand Position 24: Temples
Hand Position 25: Ears
Hand Position 26: Jaw
Hand Position 27: Back of Head
Hand Position 28: Integrating the Benefits
Hand Position 29: The Waterfall
Hand Position 30: Closing Affirmation/Dedication
How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal the Earth
Appendix 1: The Full-color Spectrum Model of The STAR Method
Appendix 2: The STAR Method Full Treatment Session
Appendix 3: The STAR Method Short Treatment Session
Endnotes
References
Other Books in This Series
Invitation to Review This Book
About the Author
Praise for The STAR Method

The STAR Method is helping me change my thoughts and perceptions so that I can decrease my
stress level. Public School Administrator, New York
A wonderful way to deal with stress. Social Worker, New Jersey
The STAR Method process is quick enough to fit into a break at work. Simple breathing and mental
processing combine into an easy-to-follow process that relaxes my body and puts my mind at ease.
The STAR Method image uses colors to help focus on the central location of stress. A brief moment
with The STAR Method could relieve pressure from the workday. College Student, California
I like the process of increasing my awareness of where the stress is coming from. Graduate
Student, St. Josephs University, Philadelphia
The STAR Method helps me relate the colors of my energy centers to supporting positive behavior
in children. Speech-Language Pathologist, Louisiana
Most of our elementary school staff is feeling overwhelmed with the increase in demands on teachers
every day. Nothing is being taken off of their plates. I shared The STAR Method as a tool for teachers
to manage stress. I received excellent responses. Elementary School Counselor, Ohio
The full-color spectrum for The STAR Method can help me handle the stress of working with severe
behavior in my classroomvery stressful. The hits and hair pulls can be too much. Sometimes I get
so frustrated. I believe The STAR Method can help me in my career. Special Education Teacher,
Calgary, Canada
The STAR Method is a valuable resource. Graduate Student, State University of New York
Ive been using The STAR Method with my students every day for the past two weeks. The STAR
Method helps them be motivated to learn more. They were more focused and could concentrate better
on what I was teaching them. It works! It really works. Public Elementary School Teacher, Belize,
Central America
Radical Reform: How and Why I Created The STAR Method

I vividly remember the day one of my first-grade students, a boy diagnosed with childhood
depression, came into my classroom with a sullen expression and announced, I hate school.
I empathized with this young boy's feelings. As a full-time special education classroom teacher and
consultant in public and private schools for over a decade, I had realized that the nations schools
were highly stressful places. Outcomes that were measurable by filling in bubbles and marking
checkboxes seemed to be paramount to everyones health and happiness.
I recognized, with a sense of despair, that the education system was failing our children.
As a full-time special education classroom teacher and consultant in public and private schools across
the US, I have taught in a variety of settings to students of all ages who are diagnosed with moderate
to severe developmental disabilities and learning disabilities; including autism, dyslexia, and attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD). I hold a Master of Arts in Education with a
specialization in Special Education. My jobs in Special Education have been demanding and, at times,
exhausting.
I developed my own routine for staying healthy, fit, and energized while holding down a challenging
full-time job. By the time I started working in Special Education, I had already become a Certified
Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher. I continued to study and practice a variety of holistic modalities
and techniques extensively. I was determined to use the tools I had learned to maintain my own health
and wellness and manage job-related stress.
Throughout my career, I have observed a high degree of stress in my colleagues and students.
Teachers typically come to work frazzled, fatigued, and bogged down with endless paperwork.
Students frequently exhibit stress, anxiety, come down with colds and other sicknesses, and hold
negative attitudes towards school in general.
As I personally witnessed how my students were detrimentally impacted by high levels of stress, I
began using therapeutic techniques with them in the classroom. As a Certified Massage Therapist and
Yoga Teacher, I found practical ways to integrate my background in health and healing into my
teaching curriculum. To help my students relax and concentrate better, I taught them simple breathing
exercises and physical movements that were proven to improve academic performance.25 I offered
yoga classes to my colleagues after school in the multipurpose room. I received encouraging,
positive feedback and support from my school administration.
The STAR Method began to take shape as I applied practical stress management techniques in my own
classroom and leveraged my Master s degree studies to dig deeper into the current research. I
discovered very little educational policy and scholarly research to support stress management
training for teachers. Yet, my own anecdotal experience in the schools clearly indicated that jobrelated stress was a problem for teachers and administrators. The STAR Method was born out of what
I consider to be a largely ignored aspect of educational policy: Our schools should not be stressful
places.
Teachers are required to manage their students behavior through approved behavioral interventions
and techniques, but are students learning how to manage their own behavior? Are teachers being
trained to effectively manage their own stress, so that our children are spending most of their day
with peaceful, calm, balanced, healthy adults who can mentor them properly?
With the expert guidance of my graduate degree advisor and co-author, I published my first article
about The STAR Method in 2006 in a peer-reviewed online journal, Teaching Exceptional Children,
entitled Stress Management for Special Educators: The Self-Administered Tool for Awareness and
Relaxation (STAR). I originally published The STAR Method as a program to help schoolteachers
manage stress, prevent job burnout, and increase self-awareness of the impact of stress in their
professional lives.
I used The STAR Method in my classroom and offered training workshops to other teachers and
professionals within the education system. I endeavored to share the tools and techniques of The
STAR Method on a regular basis with my students and colleagues. During this time, I became
enthralled with the idea that all schools should have quiet rooms for meditation and ample, clutterfree spaces in which students and teachers could learn stress management techniques, like yoga and
therapeutic touch.
But I knew that this wasnt enough.
There was something missing.
For years, I couldnt figure out the missing piece; regardless, I kept on trying to help.
One of my jobs was in a public school as a specialist for preschool children with multiple disabilities,
including autism. Many of my students exhibited severe behavioral problems; for example, when they
were upset, they would frequently hit, scratch, and bite themselves or other students. As a Special
Education Teacher, my school district required me be certified in Physical Restraint Training so
that I could learn how to properly restrain my behaviorally challenged students before they injured
themselves or someone else.26
At the time, it seemed like a good idea to me: I wanted to be sure that my students were safe in my
classroom. But on the first day of training, I was horrified.
I learned that these techniques were adapted from those used in psychiatric wards and high-security
prisons.
In the most severe cases, I would be required to follow an exact procedure that involved me and at
least one other fully grown adult holding my preschoolers tiny bodies face-down on the floor with
their hands restrained behind their backs. As stated in the training manual, I would be required to hold
my students in this position for as long as it took to calm them down.
I thought to myself, Holding a child face-down on the ground and pinning their hands behind their
backs is supposed to calm them down?
To me, it seemed like a humiliating, disempowering, brutal, and potentially harmful thing to do to
any child, especially to a tiny preschooler. I later learned from further research that Physical
Restraint Training is currently required by law for schools nationwide as an approved method of
behavior intervention.27
The instructor of the training session that I attended was a portly, middle-aged man who had used the
restraint technique numerous times on emotionally disturbed high school boys. I approached him and
asked, So, let me get this straight. Youre telling me that I am supposed to flip my preschool kids
onto their faces, pin them to the groundthe same exact way you do with your fully grown, adult
studentsand the goal of this technique is to calm them down?
He replied curtly, Yep.
I excused myself from the training session and made a phone call to the supervisor of the Special
Education Department in my school district.
I dont agree with this approach, I said, I refuse to treat my students this way, under any
circumstances.
Butyou are required to be certified in Physical Restraint Training. You have to comply with this
districts policies, she said.
What do you mean? I asked.
If you dont complete the training, then you will be held personally liable for any injuries that
happen in your classroom.... This school district will not be held responsible, my supervisor told me.
This was the galvanizing moment: I realized that our education system had failed our children.
I realized that the modern-day education system was frantically busy trying to force round pegs (our
kids) into square holes.
The next day, I signed my resignation letter and quit my teaching job.
I had reached a point of no return. I was unwilling to compromise my integrity in order to keep my
foot in the door of a stable job that required me to harm children. I emancipated myself and walked
off the plantation. I was completely checking out of what I now believe to be a failed system. I walked
away and started investing my time and energy into something new and different. But I wasnt giving
up: I was preparing to follow a higher calling.
I radically transformed my life over the course of the next few years. I used The STAR Method every
day and recorded notes in my journals about how the exercises were impacting my life. I expanded
my vision for The STAR Method to include more tools and techniques. I practiced, developed, and
refined a series of physical exercises and meditation exercises to include in The STAR Method.
I designed and completed a wellness retreat in which I maintained a vow of silence for one year.
During this retreat, I meditated daily. I reflected on my halcyon days as a graduate student and firstyear teacher, when my naive optimism led me to believe that modern-day schools were places where
children could go to learn how to be healthy, happy, peaceful, and self-empowered.
One day, I had an epiphany. I realized that I couldnt change a failed system from within the failed
system. I decided that I had to create an entirely new system: A radical reform.
The STAR Method is the first instantiation of this new system. I have since written and published my
vision for a holistic, experiential learning environment called The Farm School, located in a rural
setting where children can learn how to be healthy and thrive in a self-sustainable community. I
moved to Central America, where I write, teach, travel, and offer seminars.
I am fascinated by the potential for a cultural revolution. By revolution, I am not referring to a

violent one with torches and mobs of angry people. What I am proposing is a peaceful, quiet
revolutiona subtle, yet powerful oneenacted from within our own hearts and minds.
A transformation from within must find its expression in the outer world.
Indeed, I believe that a cultural revolution is imminent. I believe that we are ready for something
radically new. I believe that radical reform is the only thing that can change the course of humanity,
now standing at a crossroads.
Introduction: An Urgent Call to Action for All Humanity

Across the planet, humanity is currently facing the intersection of multiple, unprecedented crises:
increased incidence of terminal and chronic illness, environmental catastrophe, death from natural
disasters, economic collapse, and the highest rate of suicide amongst young people ever recorded.1
These are undeniably stressful times for all of us.
I am concerned, not only for the dire state of the planet, but also for the health of humanity: Exposure
to a high level of stress has a scientifically proven negative impact on physical, mental, and emotional
health, leading to serious illness.2
The STAR Method is a unique, original self-help program that can help you effectively manage stress
a complete system for self-healing, transformation, awareness, and realization. The tools and
techniques in The STAR Method are designed to help you achieve personal success, health, and
wellness in your life.
I originally published The STAR Method in 2006 as an article in a peer-reviewed journal for
educators. Schoolteachers and public school administrators, whose jobs are typically demanding and
stressful, were among the first beneficiaries of the stress management and relaxation techniques of
The STAR Method.
For over a decade, I consulted and taught in a variety of public and private school settings. I witnessed
first-hand how my colleagues and students were stressed out by the many demands placed on them in
school. In 2011, The STAR Method was launched as a pilot program to help prevent job burnout and
provide teachers with a practical method for managing stress. I received much positive feedback and
support for The STAR Method.
The scope of The STAR Method is more far-reaching and in-depth than what I was able to convey in
one article. Since its original publication, I have expanded The STAR Method and offered the tools
and techniques to real people from all over the world who are interested in health and wellness:
parents, mental health clients, professionals in corporate settings, college students, rural farm
workers in Central America.... The STAR Method is a practical and effective method for anyone who
is impacted by stress in our modern-day, industrialized age.
Perhaps you simply want to reduce the stress level in your life. Perhaps you simply want to be healthy
so that you can grow old gracefully while you watch your children have children of their own.
But, wait.... Have you considered the possibility that there may not be a habitable planet left for your
children and your childrens children to live on? Over-consumption of the Earths natural resources
has wreaked havoc on our environment, to such a degree that humanity may now be on the brink of
its own extinction.3
You may be thinking to yourself, What does this have to do with me? These problems are too big.
The obstacles are insurmountable. I cant do anything to stop global warming, keep the ice caps from
melting, or save the polar bears. Somebody else will fix that stuff. Its not my problem.
Not my problem.
Really? Since when is the potential extinction of humanity not your problem?
It sounds to me like we need some kind of radical intervention, right away. We cant afford to wait
another second.
The STAR Method is a transformational tool designed to help you realize your purposeyour
mission on Earth. The STAR Method is a comprehensive system for self-healing, developing selfawareness, transforming your body and mind, and realizing your life mission. The STAR Method
also comes with the fringe benefits of getting a healthier body and feeling more relaxed.
But, lets face it: The planet is in a crisis. The schools are among the most stressful places in which to
work and learn. Humanity is suffering. What we need is not simply a bunch of relaxed, physically fit
people. We need a cultural revolution!
I believe that we can all be healthy, happy, and peaceful. I believe it is not only possible, but it is the
purpose of our lives on Earthto radically transform our bodies and minds into wholeness and the
planet into a living paradise. What else could be more important, more radical, and more necessary at
this time?
Here and now, I affirm that The STAR Method will motivate you to achieve your personal goals for
success, health, and wellness in your life. It is my prayer that The STAR Method will inspire a radical
cultural revolution to heal Planet Earth. Our future generations deserve a chance to thrive in harmony
on a healthy planet.
How to Use This Book Series
If you want to reduce stress in your life;

If you desire to heal yourself;
If you want to heal the Earth;
If you wish to realize your life mission;
If you hope to succeed in all areas of your life;
The STAR Method is designed to help you
At this moment, you have the power to heal yourself, others, and the planet.
Welcome to The STAR Method, a nonsectarian system designed for people of all ages, genders,
faiths, and cultural backgrounds. The STAR Method is a comprehensive system for self-healing,
increasing your awareness of the body and how it is being affected, transforming your body and
mind, and realizing your purposeyour mission on Earth.
The STAR Method will be presented in seven modules, each module featuring unique, useful,
practical information that is based on current research. By learning the tools and exercises featured in
all seven modules of The STAR Method, your self-help toolbox will consist of a variety of stress
management and relaxation techniques that are proven to be effective4:
therapeutic touch
breathing exercises
physical exercises
positive affirmations
meditation
journaling
visualizing
goal-setting
mentoring
As a complete system, The STAR Method can help you achieve much more than stress reduction and
relaxation. By learning and practicing the techniques presented in this entire program, you can
transform your life.
Module 1 will teach you how to use the power of universal symbols and life-force energy for healing
oneself and the Earth. There has never been a more urgent time than now to achieve these important
goals.
How to reduce stress by increasing your self-awareness of the connection between your body,
your mind, and its behavioral and emotional responses
How to effectively apply therapeutic touch using a sequence of hand positions especially
designed to help you manage stress and receive a variety of physiological benefits
How to heal your body with therapeutic touch by following three simple, guiding principles
How to use universal symbols and color for personal and planetary healing
Throughout this book, when the phrase use The STAR Method appears, this refers to the use of any
of the tools and techniques presented within the seven modules of The STAR Method.
This book (Module 1) offers several helpful features:
Step-by-step approaches to a variety of effective techniques, tools, and exercises
Photographs, informational tables, and color-coded, visual models supplemented with
important details and descriptions
Testimonials and personal anecdotes from people who have benefited from The STAR
Method
Useful appendices for quick reference
Please use this book as a personal training manual for healing yourself and the Earth. In so doing,
you are sowing the seeds from which our future generations will harvest.
The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and

Realization
The STAR Method is a practical, comprehensive, self-help program for personal success, health, and
wellness. The STAR Method integrates a variety of effective tools to reduce stress and increase your
awareness of the connection between your body, your mind, and its behavioral and emotional
responses. The STAR Method is designed to help you achieve personal transformation, selfawareness, and self-realizationthe fulfillment of your highest potential. Only by realizing your
mission on Earth can you be truly fulfilled.
You can transform your life by developing your awareness of your body, mind, and the subtle,
powerful, life-giving energy that animates all living things. If you want to be able to manage stress in
your life, then you must become aware of how this life-force energy works in your own body, and
how your body and mind can be affected by external influences.
In Module 1, you will learn the relationship between energy, your physical body, the colors of the
rainbow, and how colorthe most universal of all symbolselicits physiological responses in your
body.
Painting was one of my father s favorite hobbies. When I was young, he painted a large rainbow on
the wall of my bedroom, right next to my bed. The rainbow mural was the first thing I would see upon
waking in the morning. I can remember lying in my bed, staring at the bright colors. The rainbow
seemed to have a soothing, uplifting effect on me as a child. I have since learned that the colors of the
rainbow have a direct connection to our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
After I came to Belize, Central America, I learned from my friend Ana Arzu, a traditional healer and
wisdom keeper of the indigenous Garifuna nation, that a rainbow model of health has been passed
down for generations and is still used today by traditional Garifuna healers as a framework for
physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness.5

For millennia, human civilizations have used colorsone of the most universal of all types of
symbolismin art, literature, science, and medicine. As a color-coded framework for healing, The
STAR Method is represented by a multidimensional model that features a full-color spectrum (red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). According to Ayurvedic medicine, a system of
medical science originating in ancient India, the seven colors of the rainbow are directly connected to
seven energy centers in the human body, which are referred to by the Sanskrit word chakras.6

The energy centers (chakras) are an interconnected network that regulates growth and physiology in
the human body.7 Each of the seven chakras corresponds to specific physical parts of the body, most
notably, the endocrine glands, which are associated with a set of behavioral and emotional responses.8
The endocrine glands are responsible for secreting hormones: chemical substances that stimulate
growth, regulate metabolism, control emotional responses, and other important biological processes.

The full-color STAR model illustrates the interconnection between the colors of the rainbow, the
chakras, specific physical parts of the body, the endocrine glands, and the bodys corresponding
physiological responses, as shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1: The connection between your body

and your chakras
Location in the
Chakra name in
Corresponding
Colors of the
physical body
Eng lish and
physical parts of the
rainbow
(in front of the
Sanskrit
body
spine)
feet, legs, urinary
Root Center
red
base of the spine bladder, colon, rectum,
(Muladhara)
bottom of the sacrum
orang e
Navel Center
(Svadhisthana)
yellow
Solar Plexus
Center
(Manipura)
g reen
blue
Heart Center
(Anahata)
Throat Center
(Visshudha)
lower abdominal area,

behind the navel reproductive organs,
lower back, hips
bottom of the
upper abdominal area
breastbone
(stomach, part of the
(xiphoid
large intestines)
process)
hands, arms, heart, upper
the heart
respiratory tract
behind the throat
throat, neck, esophagus,

trachea
indig o
3 rd Eye Center between the

eyebrows
(Ajna)
forehead, frontal lobes

of the brain
violet
Crown Center
(Sahasrara)
left and right brain

hemispheres, bones of the
skull
top of the head
Table 2: The connection between your

endocrine glands and your chakras
Colors of the Chakra name in Corresponding
Emotional and
rainbow
red
orang e
yellow
g reen
blue
indig o
violet
Eng lish and

Sanskrit
Root Center
(Muladhara)
Navel Center
(Svadhisthana)
Solar Plexus
Center
(Manipura)
Heart Center
(Anahata)
Throat Center
(Visshudha)
3 rd Eye Center
(Ajna)
Crown Center
(Sahasrara)
endocrine
g lands
behavioral responses
when activated
adrenals
being, having
gonads (ovaries,
testes)
feeling, wanting
pancreas
acting
thymus
loving
thyroid
communicating
pituitary
seeing, perceiving
pineal
knowing
Chakras are key energy centers in the body that correspond to specific physical parts of the body,
which are connected to various physical, emotional, and psychological responses. The STAR Method
will teach you how to place your hands in a specific sequence of positions on these chakras to activate
a variety of physiological benefits.
The hands are directly connected to the heart center. Try this: Hold your arms out straight in a T
shape. If you draw a straight line from one hand to the other, you cross your heart. From the
perspective of the chakras and their corresponding physiological responses, our hands are at the
same level as our hearts. The heart center is associated with how we express our love, affection,
caring, and compassion in the world.
How we use our hands is an outward expression of our hearts. It is no wonder why our hands are such
powerful tools for healing.
Benefits of Therapeutic Touch

The STAR Method is a valuable resource. Graduate Student, State University of New York
The STAR Method is helping me change my thoughts and perceptions so that I can decrease
my stress level. Public School Administrator, New York
I like the process of increasing my awareness of where the stress is coming from.
Graduate Student, St. Josephs University, Philadelphia
By practicing the tools and techniques presented in Module 1 of The STAR Method, you will increase
your self-awareness of your chakras and how you are affected physically, mentally, and emotionally
by external stimuli. This is an essential foundation for developing your ability for self-healing.
Awareness of your own energy centers is the key to achieving self-realizationthe fulfillment of
your highest potential by understanding your lifes purpose. The STAR Method can help you
transform your life, as you develop self-awareness and increase your ability to make meaningful,
purpose-driven decisions in your life.
In Module 1, you will learn a specified sequence of thirty hand positions that are especially designed
to help you relieve stress, activate a relaxation response in your own body, and receive a variety of
physiological benefits.
By applying the specified sequence of hand positions in The STAR Method, you will support the
biological functions and processes of your body; including bones, glands, muscle tissue, lymph
nodes, skin, nerve pathways, and the major organs. Specific physiological benefits can result from
using The STAR Method.
Table 3: Physiological benefits of The STAR

Method
By using these
hand positions
from The STAR
Method,
The following
physical areas of
your body are
affected,...
The Chalice
urinary bladder,
reproductive organs,
colon, rectum, bottom
of the sacrum
The V
The Sun
small intestines, part

of the large intestines
kidneys, lower back,
part of the sacrum
middle part of the
transverse colon,
lower part of the
stomach
heart, blood that
circulates throughout
Receiving these physiolog ical

benefits.
Increased blood flow to the
abdomen, hips, legs, and feet
Support for the lower limb,
urinary tract, gastrointestinal
tract, and reproductive system
functions
Improved function of the urinary
and gastrointestinal organs
Relief from lower back pain and
menstrual cramps
Restoration of mental and
emotional wellbeing
Relief from indigestion and
nausea
Strengthening of the immune
system and cardiovascular
functions
The Lovers
The Butterfly
the entire body,

thymus gland, upper
respiratory tract
throat, thyroid gland,

parathyroid glands
frontal lobes of the

The Minds Eye brain, sinuses in the
forehead area
The Crown
left and right

hemispheres of the
brain, corpus
callosum, parietal
bones of the skull
Decreased symptoms of
allergies, asthma, and heart
conditions
Improved regulation of the
bodys metabolism
Stress relief by supporting the
endocrine glands in the mid-brain
cavity
Supports the brain functions
associated with language-making,
comprehension, problem-solving,
and various aspects of personality
Relieves sinus pressure, allergies,
and headaches
Supports brain functions in the
cerebrum, associated with
conscious thought, voluntary
actions, sensory awareness, and
deliberate movement
Improves the function of the
corpus callosum, which is
responsible for communicating
information between the left and
right hemispheres of the brain
In this program, you will learn how to effectively apply therapeutic touch to specific parts of your
own body, following a specified sequence. When I use the term therapeutic touch throughout this
book, I am referring to a special kind of physical contact with your hands that is conscious, caring,
loving, gentle, safe, and healing. Therapeutic touch is a holistic approach to health and wellness that
aims to treat not only the physical body but, also, the underlying psychological, mental, and
emotional levels.
Therapeutic touch is scientifically proven to be healing: It relieves stress and activates a relaxation
response by promoting biological and physiological changes in the body.9 Therapeutic touch is
effective in reducing and relieving stress, anxiety, and pain; accelerating healing; and providing a
greater sense of wellbeing. People who receive therapeutic touch during a treatment session generally
report improved quality of life physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.10
Therapeutic touch fulfills our core human needs. It is not a mere indulgence to receive caring,
conscious touch that feels good. Vimala McClure, a world-renowned therapist who has extensively
studied the effects of therapeutic touch on infants, has found that touch is essential for healthy human
development.11 Research at the University of Miami School of Medicine shows that therapeutic touch
is as important to infants and children as eating and sleeping.12 Research indicates that therapeutic
touch triggers healthy growth and development in children by stimulating nerves in the brain that
lower stress hormone levels, resulting in improved immune system functioning and the ability to
handle stress as an adult.
Testimonials and Anecdotes

Therapeutic touch has the power to heal and transform. When we receive caring, conscious touch
from another person, it is naturally therapeutic and healing. It is a universal language: Touch heals
when we place our hand on someones shoulder to provide comfort; when we pet our dog or cat;
when we hug our spouse or best friend.
I intuitively used therapeutic touch as a young child to comfort my sister Jill, who was five years
younger. Whenever Jill cried, I would sit with her and distract her by turning my hands into a kind of
puppet show, making contact with my palms and fingers on her body while singing a cheerful song.
After a few minutes, she would have started giggling, and we would both feel better.
As a professional therapeutic massage and bodywork practitioner, I have integrated The STAR
Method into my treatment sessions to help my clients achieve maximum benefit. I find that I am able
to treat my clients most effectively when I am relaxed and perceptive to the flow of energy through
my hands. I believe that my awareness of energy is the foremost reason why I receive much positive
feedback from my clients about the quality of my therapeutic bodywork:
Parama understands energy. She was able to work with mine as well as hers. Massage can be
just a mechanical experience, but Parama is able to transform it into a spiritual, healing
experience. PhD Professor, University of Michigan
She brings a calm, healing energy that feels wonderful. Graduate Student, San Francisco
Institute of Holistic Studies and Transpersonal Psychology, California
A healing massage... Psychotherapist, Phoenix, Arizona
It felt like electricity. It was like you were opening up the tight areas, and letting some kind
of energylike electricityflow all the way from my back down to my feet. Dental
Surgeon, Mexico
You really do heal. Competitive Weightlifter, New York City
The STAR Method can be helpful for professional therapists who wish to incorporate these tools and
techniques into their treatment sessions. This program provides essential, basic skills for any
therapist whose work involves physical contact with a client. Whether you are currently studying or
practicing professionally, you may find that mastering the skills taught in Module 1 can help you be
more effective as a therapist.
I consistently use techniques from The STAR Method to maintain my personal health and wellness.
For example, I have used therapeutic touch to accelerate the healing of an injury that I experienced
recently. I was about to step into the back of a passenger van, when someone accidentally slammed the
door onto two fingers of my right hand, fracturing the bones and splitting the skin open. I
immediately started to treat the injured fingers, wrapping my other hand around them and allowing
the healing energy to flow uninterrupted, until I reached my destination.
When I removed my hand after one hour, I felt no pain or swelling in my fingers. The cuts had sealed
and stopped bleeding, and I did not feel any pain or discomfort at any point. The fingers regained full
mobility and function within three to five days. I consulted a doctor, who examined my fingers and
informed me that the typical healing period for a partial fracture to these bones should be more like
four to five weeks.16 When I told him that the fingers had healed completely within a few days, he was
incredulous.
While therapeutic touch can be a powerful healer, I am not suggesting or advocating that you should
use The STAR Method as an alternative to conventional medicine or medical procedures. I respect
that each person should make his or her choices based on the information and resources available. In
many cases, a person may receive maximum benefit from the combined application of modern,
conventional medicine with safe, effective, research-based, holistic therapies. By achieving the
balance between modern technologies and the power of healing touch, you can make the widest
possible choices for your optimal health and wellness.
Activating Your Awareness of Energy

By practicing the techniques taught in this program, you will learn how to activate and develop your
sensitivity to the life-giving energysubtle, yet perceivablethat flows through all living things,
including yourself.13 As you increase your awareness to the natural flow of this energy through your
hands, you will realize your ability to heal yourself and the Earth through therapeutic touch.
For a little over a decade, I worked as a full-time classroom teacher and consultant in private and
public schools. As a specialist working with children who were diagnosed with moderate to severe
developmental disabilities, including autism, I often felt stressed out from the many challenges and
demands of my work. On the weekends, I used to seek solace on my favorite hiking trail that wound
its way up a small mountain along the Central California coastline. Towering redwood trees grew in
clusters at the base of the mountain, where a stream flowed year-round.
Whenever I hiked on the trail beside the stream, one redwood tree in particular caught my attention. It
stood tall and proud, like a sentinel guarding the entrance to the mountain. One day, when I arrived at
this tree, I wrapped my arms entirely around its trunk. I remained motionless and breathed deeply. I
instantly perceived a strong flow of energy in my hands. I felt a subtle, steady tingling sensation. After
a few minutes, I let go of the tree and noticed that I felt alleviated from tension, anxiety, and fatigue. I
felt flooded with a feeling of comfort and relaxation. I had suspected that hugging a tree would have
such a transformative effect: the healing power of therapeutic touch.
From an early age, I had the privilege to learn and practice how to perceive the flow of life-force
energy through my hands. When I was young, my grandmother used to ask me to give her a
shoulder rub, coaching and guiding me to use the most effective techniques. She would exclaim,
Oh, I just love those little hands of yours! While I rubbed and eased the knots out of my
grandmother s shoulders, I noticed that I was able to sense some kind of electricity in my hands.
As you practice the techniques presented in this program, you will gradually improve your sensitivity
and ability to perceive the flow of energy through your own hands. At first this may seem difficult. Be
patient. With more and more practice, you will increase your sensitivity to the flow of energy during
your treatment session. You will discover that the quality of the energy flow can be described in terms
of its temperature, sensations, frequency, and how intensely it is drawn through your hands.
Table 4: Quality of energy flow during a treatment

session
Rating
Rang e (from hig h to low)
intensity of the draw
intense, strong, normal, weak, dull, subtle
temperature
hot, warm, normal
frequency
zigzag, intermittent, wavelike, steady, stable
sensations
sharp, throbbing, pulsing, tingling
The STAR Method is designed on the premise that the body and mind operate as one integrated whole
and are maintained by energy. The study of quantum physics has demonstrated that all physical
phenomena are appearances of energy in different stages of activity.14 The food we eat, the houses we
live in, and the coins we spend are nothing but energy in condensed, materialized form. Researchers
have discovered that energy and vibration are the building materials of the physical world, including
our physical bodies.
Energy circulates throughout the body along a network of passageways. Scientific research has
demonstrated that these passageways are intimately connected with the body organs and their
functions. This life-giving energy is referred to by many names in various different traditions around
the world. In the system of Ayurvedic Medicine, this life-force energy is referred to as prana; in
Oriental Medicine, chi or ki; in the Native American tradition, the spirit that moves in all
things.15 This universal, life-giving force will be referred to as energy throughout this book.
You are energy: You are not separate from it. Therefore, it is readily accessible and available to you.
Energy is inherently intelligent, as there is order in the universe. The moment you place your hands
on yourself or another living thing, whether it be human, animal, or otherwise, this intelligently
directed life-force energy automatically flows in a way that benefits you and the recipient. You are
simply acting as a channel; therefore, all you have to do is to place your hands on the physical body,
and a universal intelligence directs the energya subtle, gentle, yet powerful healerto whichever
parts of the body are in need of healing.
How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal Oneself

Guiding Principles
In this section, you will learn how to effectively use The STAR Method to heal yourself by applying
therapeutic touch in a specified sequence of hand positions on your own body. By following these
three guiding principles, you can optimize your experience of using The STAR Method:
1. Fingers together, always better: Always keep your palms open and flat with all five of your
fingers touching. Your thumbs should stay close to your fingers.
2. Hands still, the energy flows where it will: When holding the positions, keep your hands
steady on or above the body and remain motionless with both feet comfortably flat on the
floor.
3. To heal, breathe and feel: Relax and breathe fully and deeply throughout the duration of your
treatment session. Breathing deeply will help you to achieve a state of relaxation, allowing
you to channel the healing energy through your hands.
Instructions
To experience the full benefits of The STAR Method, you are advised to practice a full treatment
session on yourself at least once a day for seven consecutive days. To maximize the benefits, you may
try using The STAR Method at different times of day or in different locations, including outdoor
settings. Do not be discouraged if you do not experience immediate benefit. Since the effects of stress
are cumulative, the process of healing occurs over time.
You may find it helpful to refer to the full-color spectrum model of The STAR Method as you learn
and practice the exercises presented in this book. This model, which is color-coded, can help you
increase your awareness of specific behavioral and emotional responses in your own body, which
correspond with each of the seven colors of the rainbow.
You may lie down, remain standing, or be seated throughout your treatment session. You may choose
to keep your eyes closed or open. It is important for you to feel comfortable and relaxed:
If you are lying down, you may wish to place a pillow under your knees for maximum
comfort.
If you are standing, be sure that you are on a level surface with your feet flat on the floor, hipwidth apart, and knees slightly bent. Keep your spine straight and your shoulders relaxed.
If you are seated, be sure that your spine is straight, your feet are flat on the floor, and your
shoulders are relaxed.
Photographs are included to provide guidance and to clarify the instructions for how to perform a
treatment session using The STAR Method. Instructions are worded in a way that seems to be most
helpful to people who are learning how to use The STAR Method for the first time.
During your treatment session, breathe slowly and deeply through your nose, allowing your chest and
belly to expand on each inhale. Relax. Breathing deeply will help you to relax as you focus on the
quality of the energy flowing through your hands. At first, you may or may not be able to feel
anythingthis is okay. Your awareness and sensitivity to the flow of energy through your hands will
improve with practice.
If you are able to sense the flow of energy during your treatment session, then simply notice its
quality. You may be able to feel the temperature, sensations, and intensity of the energy flow, which
can range from high to low along a rating scale (see Table 4).
Hold each hand position for thirty seconds to one minute. You may wish to hold the positions for a
longer period of time, especially if the quality of the energy is strong, intense, or hot. You may be
able to feel when the flow has fallen away or dropped, indicating that you can move your hands
to another position.
The hand positions in The STAR Method are presented in a step-by-step format:
How to place your hands
Physical areas to be treated
Benefits of treatment
Conditions and ailments to be treated
The thirty hand positions of The STAR Method will be described in detail in the next section. A full
treatment session consists of all thirty hand positions and typically lasts for about forty-five minutes.
You also have the option to use these techniques in a short treatment session, which typically lasts for
about twenty minutes and contains only eight hand positions. When first learning The STAR Method,
it is recommended to practice a full treatment session, as described in the next section.
Once you have learned and practiced the sequence of hand positions by following the steps in this
section, you may find it helpful to use the appendices at the end of this book as a quick reference
during your daily, ongoing treatment sessions.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
The opening affirmation and prayer set the tone for the entire treatment session
Place the palms of your hands gently together, with your thumbs lightly touching the breastbone in
front of your heart.
Silently or out loud, state exactly what you would like to accomplish, gain, or experience from the
treatment session. Be specific. Here are some examples:
Today I am asking specifically for relief from pain in my lower back.
I would like to relieve the tension in my neck.
I want to stop worrying about my deadlines at work and feel more relaxed.
Your affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I want to be healthy and happy.
I wish to feel more joy in my life.
Today I am asking for protection and guidance.
An affirmation is a statement that validates a positive result or outcome. Research shows that positive
thinking decreases stress and activates a relaxation response.17
The mind plays such a significant role in creating stress. However, if we are able to
become more aware of the negative thoughts and feelings that enter our minds and
develop ways to replace them with positive ones, we will be able to live happier, less
stressful lives.18
This position has a calming, grounding, soothing effect. It sends a signal to the body to relax,
preparing you for the treatment session.
Gently place both hands, one on top of the other, slightly below the navel.
Breathe slowly and deeply through your nose, allowing your chest and belly to expand on each
inhale. Relax. Breathing deeply will help you to relax as you focus on sensing the flow of energy
through your hands. Remember, it is okay if you do not feel anything right away. With practice, you
will increase your sensitivity to the flow of energy.
Hold the hand position for thirty seconds to one minute or longer if desired.
Scanning the body can provide information about specific areas of your body that need the most
attention.
Imagine that your hands are an x-ray machine and you are using them to scan the entire body for
areas most in need of therapeutic touch. This will provide you with important information about your
body.
Hold both hands palms down, shoulder-width apart, about 10 inches above the body. Begin at the head
and slowly scan down the entire length of the body, ending at the pubic area. Repeat as many times
as necessary. With repeated practice, you will increase your sensitivity and accuracy.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax. Focus on the flow of energy through your hands. Scan the body for
thirty seconds to one minute or longer.

Now, you will learn how to use universal symbols for healing. Three symbolsthe spiral, the cross,
and The STAR Methodwill be used in a sequence of hand placements. Symbols speak to our
collective human experience, as shapes ranging from the most basic to the complex have been
consciously rendered for millennia in human art, religions, literature, and psychology to signify a
variety of physical and metaphysical phenomena.

The spiral is depicted in ornamental art all over the world and is commonly seen in nature and
astronomy, as in this photograph of Messier 74, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces and home
to about 100 billion stars.19 The spiral is most commonly interpreted to represent the evolution of the
universe. It is also a classical form symbolizing growth, arising out of the concept of the rotation of
the Earth. In the Egyptian system of hieroglyphs, the spiral denotes cosmic forms in motion, or the
relationship between unity and multiplicity.20

When depicted in its expanding form, as in the nebula, the spiral symbolizes the creative breath of life
the creative force of the universe. Since the spiral arises from a single point, it also symbolizes the
relationship between the circle (or Oneness) and the mystic center of the circle (or the origin of the
universe), thereby being associated with the power of healing through a pattern of creative movement
and expansion.

During your treatment session, you will apply therapeutic touch using a specified sequence of seven
hand positions on parts of your body within your abdominal area. First, you will draw a Spiral
Symbol above your body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands in
seven positions on your abdominal area.
The Spiral Symbol serves to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands on
various parts of your abdominal area. In particular, the Spiral Symbol activates the functions of three
endocrine glands: the adrenals, the gonads, and the pancreas.

The adrenals are located on top of the kidneys and are responsible for releasing hormones in
response to stress.
The gonads are the ovaries (in females) and the testes (in males). The ovaries produce eggs,
and the testes produce sperm.
The pancreas produce hormones that decrease sugar levels in the blood as well as digestive
enzymes that break down food into nutrients for the body.
Now, you will learn how to draw The Spiral Symbol above your body to support the optimal
functioning of these endocrine glands, as well as the bones, organs, tissues, muscles located in your
abdominal area.
The Spiral Symbol looks like a DNA double helix spiraling out from one central point. Imagine that
you are drawing this symbol with your palm above the abdominal area. Begin by holding one of your
hands (the dominant hand, preferably) about 12 inches in front of where the bottom of your
breastbone meets the soft part of your belly (the xiphoid process), not touching the body. The Spiral
Symbol consists of two parts: a smaller, inner spiral and a larger, outer spiral.
Part 1: Draw a smaller, inner spiral.
Imagine a disc superimposed over the xiphoid process. Begin the smaller, inner spiral at a point on
the bottom of this disc. Draw the spiral clockwise once around the central disc, ending at the pubic
bone. It is important to form the spiral in a clockwise direction, as this follows the natural flow of the
digestive tract (ascending, transverse, and descending colon).
Part 2: Draw a larger, outer spiral.
Return to the imaginary disc superimposed over the xiphoid process. Begin the outer spiral at a point
on the top of this disc. Draw the spiral clockwise once around the central disc, ending slightly
below the pubic bone. Again, it is important to form the spiral in a clockwise direction.
The Spiral Symbol will now be followed by seven specific hand positions located in your abdominal
area.
Where in the body:

This position covers the lower part of the abdomen, just within the pelvic cradle to the tip of the pubic
bone.
How to place your hands:
Make a bowl shape with your hands, fingers of one hand overlapping the fingers of the other hand.
Lightly touch the pinky side edges of your hands just below the pubic bone.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax. Focus on the flow of energy through your hands. Hold the hand
position for thirty seconds to one minute or longer.
Physical areas to be treated:
Urinary bladder and ureters (tubes that descend from the kidneys to the bladder)
Reproductive organs (for females): ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, vagina, part of the uterus
Reproductive organs (for males): testes, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, vas deferens
Sigmoid colon (the last segment of the large intestine)
Rectum
Coccyx (tailbone) and bottom of the sacrum (large triangular bone at the bottom of the spine)
Legs, ankles, and feet
Femoral arteries (blood vessels that supply blood to the lower extremities)
Lymph nodes of the groin area (responsible for generating antibodies to fight infection of
abdominal organs)
Benefits of treatment:
Increased pelvic mobility
Improved nerve flow through the sciatic, sacral, and gluteal nerves
Increased blood flow to the abdomen, hips, legs, and feet
Supports the lower limb, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive system
functions.
Comforts and soothes the bodys memory of early childhood traumas, such as sexual abuse
and painful falls
Helps fight infections of abdominal organs by stimulating the lymph nodes in the groin area
Helps fight infections of the reproductive organs due to sexually transmitted diseases
Conditions and ailments to be treated:
Urinary tract infections
Impotence
Prostate cancer
Uterine and cervical cancer
Yeast infections
Infertility
Menstrual cramps
Pregnancy
Diarrhea, constipation, and bloating
Where in the body:

This position spans the area just below the navel (belly button).
Form a V shape with your hands, fingers pointing down, palms flat against the belly, just below the
navel.
Small intestines
Parts of the ascending colon (on the right)
Parts of the descending colon (on the left)
Part of the uterus (for females)
Kidneys
Ureters (tubes that descend from the kidneys to the bladder)
Lower back
Hips
Part of the sacrum
Increased blood circulation through the inferior mesenteric artery and inferior vena cava that
carries blood into this area from the heart and back
Supports the many nerve pathways that travel through this area and toward other parts of the
body
Improved function of the urinary and gastrointestinal organs
Many clients can sense the energy radiating out from the nerve pathways as they travel to
other parts of the body
Menstrual cramps
Pregnancy
Lower back pain
Kidney stones and kidney failure
Where in the body:

This position covers the xiphoid process, the small area where the bottom of the breastbone meets the
soft part of the belly.
Create a dome shape with your hands, as if you were cupping half of a sphere inside your hands.
Place your cupped hands just below the xiphoid process (where the bottom of the breastbone meets
the soft part of the belly).
Middle part of the transverse colon
Lower part of the stomach
Solar plexus center (an energy center, also known as a chakra)
Aids in digestion
Restores mental and emotional wellbeing
Indigestion
Knots in the stomach
Anxiety
Nausea
Where in the body:

This position covers the right hip area and top of the thigh bone.
Form a T shape with palms flat against the hip (the joint where the thigh bone meets the hip socket).
Sciatic nerves (a thick bundle of nerves that exit the bottom of the spinal column, cross the
back of the pelvis, and join the lumbosacral plexus to travel down each leg) and can cause pain
in the hip and down the side of the leg)
Hip joint (a large joint where the thigh bone meets the pubic bone)
Relieves sciatic pain
Speeds recovery from hip replacements
Relieves pain associated with arthritis in the hip joint

Sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve characterized by pain radiating through the lower
back, hip, buttocks, and the back portion of the leg)
Arthritis
Where in the body:

This position covers the area from the bottom of the rib cage to just above the waist on the right side
of the body.
Place both hands beside each other against the soft part of the belly on your right side, below the rib
cage.
Liver
Gall bladder
Part of the small intestines
Ascending colon
Part of the transverse colon (large intestines)
Blood circulates more efficiently through major arteries and veins, speeding up digestion
Improves the bodys ability to absorb vital nutrients (minerals and vitamins) from food
Indigestion
Heartburn
Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
Cirrhosis of the liver
Jaundice
Where in the body:

This position covers the area from the bottom of the rib cage to just above the waist on the left side of
the body.
Place both hands beside each other against the soft part of the belly on your left side, below the rib
cage.
Pancreas
Spleen
Part of the small intestines
Descending colon
Part of the transverse colon (large intestines)
Blood circulates more efficiently through major arteries and veins, speeding up digestion
Improves the bodys ability to absorb vital nutrients (minerals and vitamins) from food
Blood sugar levels stabilize more quickly
Diabetes
Indigestion
Heartburn
Colon cancer
Special notes:
The positions Left Abdomen and Right Abdomen can help you to relax before or after a stressful
event.
Where in the body:

This position covers the left hip area and top of the thigh bone.
Form a T shape with palms flat against the hip (the joint where the thigh bone meets the hip socket).
Sciatic nerves (a thick bundle of nerves that exit the bottom of the spinal column, cross the
back of the pelvis, and join the lumbosacral plexus to travel down each leg) and can cause pain
in the hip and down the side of the leg)
Hip joint (a large joint where the thigh bone meets the pubic bone)
Relieves sciatic pain
Speeds recovery from hip replacements
Relieves pain associated with arthritis in the hip joint

Sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve characterized by pain radiating through the lower
back, hip, buttocks, and the back portion of the leg)
Arthritis
The symbolism of the cross is complex and can be interpreted in such a way that neither denies nor
supplants the historical meaning in Christianity. The cross is often represented in medieval art as the
Tree of Lifethe bridge or ladder by means of which the soul may reach the heavens.21 The cross
affirms the primary relationship between the two worlds of the celestial and the earthly. The cross is
analogous with the human form, as the horizontal line represents the arms, and the vertical line
signifies the body in an upright position.

The predominant meaning of the cross is the conjunction of opposites: wedding the vertical (or
spiritual) principle with the horizontal (the physical world of phenomena), thus bearing its
significance as a symbol for struggle and martyrdom. In Egyptian hieroglyphics, the cross stands for
life or living and forms part of words such as health and happiness.
The Cross Symbol depicts a cross contained within a circle. As shown frequently in ancient art and
literature, the circle is most commonly used as an emblem of the sun. It also symbolizes the return to
unity from multiplicity and has been seen to stand for heaven, perfection, and sometimes eternity as
well. The circle corresponds to the ultimate state of Onenessa profound psychological implication
that the circle represents a human who has achieved inner unity (perfection). Thus, the cross inside of
the circle can be interpreted to symbolize the human who has realized oneness and perfection by
virtue of merging the physical with the spiritualuniting body and spirit.
hand positions on parts of your body within your chest and neck area. First, you will draw a Cross
Symbol above your body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands in
seven positions on your neck and chest. In particular, The Cross Symbol activates the endocrine
glands located in this area of your body: the thymus, the thyroid gland, and the parathyroid glands.
The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by controlling how quickly the body uses energy.
The parathyroid glands control the level of calcium in the blood.
The thymus directs the bodys immune system response.
Now, you will learn how to draw The Cross Symbol above your body to support the optimal
functioning of these endocrine glands, as well as the bones, organs, tissues, muscles located in the
area of your chest and neck.
The Cross Symbol looks like a plus sign inside of a circle. Imagine that you are drawing this symbol
with your palm above the chest area. Begin by holding one of your hands (the dominant hand,
preferably) about 12 inches in front of your heart, not touching the body.
Part 1: Draw a plus sign.
First, draw a plus sign. Draw a straight line down to the xiphoid process, then straight up to the throat,
then back down to the heart. Starting at the heart, draw a straight line directly across the chest, from
one breast to the other, ending once again at the heart.
Part 2: Draw a circle.
Now, draw a circle around the plus sign that you just drew. Begin at the top of the plus sign (at the
throat). Draw a clockwise circle around the plus sign, ending at the same point where you started (at
the throat).
The Cross Symbol will now be followed by seven specific hand positions located in your chest and
neck area.
Hand Position 13: The Lovers
Where in the body:

This posture covers the area directly over the heart, on the chest between the breasts.
Place one hand on top of the other, palms down, on top of the heart (between the breasts).
Heart
Arms, wrists, and hands
Blood that circulates throughout the entire body
Thymus gland (responsible for generating white blood cells to fight infection)
Upper respiratory tract (bronchial passages)
Enhances the immune system and cardiovascular functions
Helps relieve symptoms of any blood-borne infection or condition (auto-immune disorders,
allergies)
Restoration of proper fluid-electrolyte balance for electrical shock victims
Improvement of T cell (white blood cell) count in AIDS patients
Comforting and soothing

Heart conditions
Auto-immune disorders
Allergies
Asthma
HIV infection and AIDS
Special notes:
This position can be beneficial for anyone who is fighting an infection of mild nature (cold or flu) or
more serious conditions.
Hand Position 14: The Butterfly
Where in the body:

This position covers the throat and sides of the neck.
Bring the insides of your wrists together at the throat, touching palms and fingertips to either side of
the neck.
Skin, muscles, and bones of the chin and throat
Thyroid gland (responsible for generating hormones that regulate the bodys metabolism)
Parathyroid glands
Mid-brain cavity beneath the soft tissues of the chin and throat
Relieves stress by supporting the endocrine glands in the mid-brain cavity
Calming, soothing effect
Helps to regulate the bodys metabolism

Thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism)
Sore throat
Laryngitis
Hand Position 15: Left Shoulder
Where in the body:

This position spans the area at the left side of the neck and left upper shoulder.
Place one hand on the left side of the neck and the other hand on the upper left shoulder.
Left sternocleidomastoid muscles (long muscles that span the sides of the neck)
Left collarbone
Left carotid artery and jugular vein (major channels of blood circulation to and from the
brain)
Left upper trapezius muscle (large muscle that wraps around the top of the shoulders and
commonly traps tension and stiffness)
Lymph nodes in the neck area
Supports the lymph nodes production of antibodies to fight infections
Relief from trigger-point pain in the face
Relief from muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and face
Helps drain the lymph nodes, which can hold residues from infections in the tissue
Clears congestion from head colds, allergies, and ear infections
Allergies
Muscle tension and pain in the shoulders, neck, and face
Whiplash
Hand Position 16: Left Breast
Where in the body:

This position covers the entire left breast and mammary gland (for women).
Cup both hands and place them gently together over the left breast.
Left breast
Mammary gland (for women)
Left nipple
Lymph nodes on left side (responsible for infection-fighting)
Supports the function of the lymph nodes to fight infections
Speeds recovery from surgical incisions to the breast
Enhances quality and quantity of breast milk in lactating women
Breast cancer and associated symptoms
Tension or pain in the pectoralis (chest) muscles
Hand Position 17: Lungs
Where in the body:

This position spans the middle and lower part of the rib cage.
Bring the fingertips of both hands together, slightly overlapping, on top of the rib cage just below the
breasts.
Bones of the middle and lower rib cage
Diaphragm
Lungs
Upper part of the stomach
Kidneys
Adrenal glands (glands atop the kidneys below the ribs of the mid-back, responsible for
secreting hormones during a fight or flight response, sometimes referred to as an
adrenaline rush)
Blood circulates more efficiently from the heart through the abdominal aorta and other major
arteries
Relief from respiratory tract infections
Stress relief
Relaxing sensation
Respiratory tract infections
Stress (especially after a traumatic event)
Special notes:
This position is recommended to practice on oneself at night in bed just before falling asleep, as it
benefits the major organs and glands most vulnerable to stress, especially the adrenal glands. It can
have a calming, soothing effect.
Hand Position 18: Right Breast
Where in the body:

This position covers the entire right breast and mammary gland (for women).
Cup both hands and place them gently together over the right breast.
Right breast
Mammary gland (for women)
Right nipple
Lymph nodes on left side (responsible for infection-fighting)
Supports the function of the lymph nodes to fight infections
Speeds recovery from surgical incisions to the breast
Enhances quality and quantity of breast milk in lactating women
Breast cancer and associated symptoms
Tension or pain in the pectoralis (chest) muscles
Special notes:
The hand positions, Left Breast and Right Breast can be especially helpful for women with breast
cancer who may be recovering from a lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Hand Position 19: Right Shoulder
Where in the body:

This position spans the area at the right side of the neck and right upper shoulder.
Place one hand on the right side of the neck and the other hand on the upper right shoulder.
Right sternocleidomastoid muscles (long muscles that span the sides of the neck)
Right collarbone
Right carotid artery and jugular vein (major channels of blood circulation to and from the
brain)
Right upper trapezius muscle (large muscle that wraps around the top of the shoulders and
commonly traps tension and stiffness)
Lymph nodes in the neck area
Supports the lymph nodes production of antibodies to fight infections
Relief from trigger-point pain in the face
Relief from muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and face

Helps drain the lymph nodes, which can hold residues from infections in the tissue
Clears congestion from head colds, allergies, and ear infections
Allergies
Muscle tension and pain in the shoulders, neck, and face
Whiplash
Hand Position 20: The Star Symbol
As a light shining in the darkness, The STAR Method is a symbol of the spirit. Stars have been
incorporated into emblematic art all over the world.22 The ultimate meaning of The STAR Method
seems to be expressive of intercommunication between the different worlds, or the activation of the
celestial realms within the purely material elements of earth and water.

The white space in the middle of The STAR Method is suggestive of the mystic centerof the force
of the universe in expansionalso representing universal energy. Two complete triangles, one in the
normal position and one inverted, superimposed so as to form a six-pointed star, symbolize the
human soul. A six-pointed star contained within a circle signifies the ultimate state of perfection:
realizing the self to be a unified whole.
hand positions on parts of your body on your face and head. First, you will draw a Star Symbol above
your body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands in seven positions
on your head and face. In particular, The Star Symbol activates the endocrine glands located in this
area of your body: the pineal gland and the pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain that is responsible for secreting
hormones that regulate the bodys homeostasis (temperature, blood pressure, water balance,
and other important processes).
The pineal gland is located near the center of the brain and produces melatonin, a hormone
that controls the bodys sleep/wake cycle and other 24-hour biological rhythms.
Now, you will learn how to draw The Star Symbol above your body to support the optimal
functioning of these endocrine glands, as well as the bones, organs, tissues, muscles located in the
area of your face and head.
The Star Symbol looks like an upright triangle superimposed on top of an upside-down triangle
inside of a circle. Imagine that you are drawing this symbol with your palm above your head and face.
Begin by holding one of your hands (the dominant hand, preferably) about 12 inches in front of your
forehead, not touching the body.
Part 1: Draw an upright triangle.
First, draw an upright triangle. The apex (top point) of the triangle starts at the top of the head. Draw
one side of the triangle down the edge of the face, stopping at the mouth. Continue drawing the
bottom of the upright triangle across the mouth. Draw the other side of the triangle up the edge of the
face, stopping at the apex (top point) at the top of the head.
Part 2: Draw an upside-down triangle.
Next, draw an upside-down triangle directly on top of the upright triangle that you just drew. The
bottom point of the triangle starts at the chin. Draw one side of the triangle up the edge of the face,
stopping at the forehead. Continue drawing the top side of the upside-down triangle across the
forehead. Draw the other side of the triangle down the edge of the face, stopping at the bottom point at
the chin.
Part 3: Draw a circle.
Now, draw a circle around the two triangles. Begin at the top of the head. Draw a clockwise circle
around the two triangles, ending at the same point where you started.
The Star Symbol will now be followed by seven specific hand positions located on your head and
face.
Hand Position 21: The Minds Eye
Where in the body:

This position covers the forehead.
Place one hand on top of the other in an X shape, palms down, on top of the forehead.
Skin, muscles, and bones of the forehead
Front of the cerebrum (frontal lobes of the left and right cerebral hemispheres in the brain)
Sinuses in the forehead area
Supports the brain functions associated with language-making, comprehension, problemsolving, and various aspects of personality
Relieves sinus pressure, allergies, and headaches
Alzeheimer s disease
Headaches
Eyestrain
Head colds
Allergies
Brain aneurysm
Stroke
Epilepsy
Invasive tumors in the front part of the brain
Hand Position 22: The Crown
Where in the body:

This position spans the top and sides of the head.
Slightly overlap the fingertips of both hands and curl your hands, as if they were a headband, around
the top of the head.
Scalp
Corpus callosum (fibrous bands that connect the left and right hemispheres of the brain)
Parietal bones of the skull
Cerebrum (left and right hemispheres of the brain)
Supports brain functions in the cerebrum, associated with conscious thought, voluntary
actions, sensory awareness, and deliberate movement
Improves the function of the corpus callosum, which is responsible for communicating
information between the left and right hemispheres of the brain
Learning disabilities that affect ones ability to read and write
Speech disorders
Hair loss
Hand Position 23: Eyes
Where in the body:

This position covers the eyes, eyebrows, forehead, part of the nose, and the cheekbones.
Gently cup the hands over the eyes, allowing the base of your palms to rest against the cheeks.
Eyes and eye sockets
Skin tissue and muscle in the forehead
Frontal bone (forehead area)
Nasal bone
Septum
Sinuses
Stimulates mental alertness
Relief from headache pain
Relief from eye or sinus infection
Relief from allergies

Relief from eye strain
Eye injuries
Headache
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Sinus infection
Head cold
Allergies
Hand Position 24: Temples
Where in the body:

This position covers the temples, the sides of the head, and a portion of the top of the head.
Hold the palms, fingertips pointing upward, gently over the temples.
Skin and muscles in the area of the temples
A portion of the cheekbones
A portion of the scalp
Fusion of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes
Nerve and blood pathways to the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth
Trigeminal cranial nerve (responsible for facial sensations and muscle movements)
Optic nerves (serve to send visual sensory impressions to the brain)
Olfactory nerves (relay information about smells to the brain)
Pituitary gland (master gland of the endocrine system)
Thalamus (part of the brain that regulates emotions)
Hypothalamus (part of the brain that mediates the bodys response to stress)
Balances and supports the release of hormones for healthy growth, metabolism, response to
stress, and reproduction
Relief from acute eyestrain
Relief from headaches
Supports the brain functions associated with making sense of motor and sensory information
Brings biochemical imbalances back into balance

Mental disorders
Eye strain
Headaches
Brain damage
Special notes:
This position can be helpful in the treatment of serious conditions involving brain function, hormonal
function, or mental and emotional disorders.
Hand Position 25: Ears
Where in the body:

This position covers the ears, the sides of the head, and a portion of the top of the head.
Place slightly cupped palms over the ears.
Ears, ear canals, and eardrums
Nerve pathways that transmit sound impulses to the brain
Inner ear (responsible for registering our position in space)
Eustachian tube (canal that connects the ear to the throat)
Soft palate
Passageways in the back of the nose and mouth
Sphenoidal air sinus
The mid-brain cavity of the brain
Parietal bones of the skull
Pituitary gland
Pineal gland
Equalization of air pressure on both sides of the eardrum
Helps restore ears to normal hearing
Enhanced ability to register nerve impulses of smell, taste, and tactile sensations
Loosening of nasal congestion
Relief from allergies
Helps to regulate the endocrine system

Ear infections
Earaches
Nasal congestion due to allergies or head cold
Sore throat
Hand Position 26: Jaw
Where in the body:

This position covers the entire jaw line and mouth.
Bring both hands together, slightly cupped, to form a V shape on top of the mouth without direct
pressure to the lips.
Sinus cavities in lower part of face
Mandible (lower jaw)
Maxilla (bone that anchors the upper teeth)
Salivary glands
Teeth and gums
Relief from pain associated with infections in the mouth, teeth, and gums
Relief from muscle tension caused by clenching the jaw or nocturnal teeth grinding
Soothing, penetrating quality

TMJ (temporal mandibular joint syndrome)
Sinus infections
Gum disease
Cavities
Herpes sores in the mouth
Hand Position 27: Back of Head
Where in the body:

This position covers the back of the head and neck.
With palms facing upward, gently slip both hands beneath the back of the head, with fingertips of both
hands slightly overlapping. The palms should be touching the back of the head and neck.
Back of the cerebrum (part of the brain)
Cerebellum (reptilian brain that controls many of our survival mechanisms)
Muscles on the back of the neck
Nerves that exit from the cervical vertebrae
Occipital bone and mastoid process at the lower back part of the skull
Improved autonomic nervous system functions
Relief from tension headaches
Speeds relief to symptoms associated with herpes simplex, which causes lesions on or inside
the mouth or nose
Prevents the onsite of herpetic neuralgia, which can cause painful swelling sensations
Enhances immune system response
Boosts mental and physical alertness, especially after prolonged hours of intellectual activity
Headaches
Herpes simplex
Meningitis (infection in the cerebrospinal fluid)
Special notes:
This position seems to have special benefit for anyone who is actively fighting infections or has
suppressed immune system functions, as this area of the brain triggers many immune system
mechanisms.
Hand Position 28: Integrating the Benefits
This hand position provides you with a sense of closure for the session. This move also helps you to
integrate the therapeutic benefits of the session and end on a positive note.
Place your right hand below the navel and your left hand on the forehead. Hold for thirty seconds to
one minute.
Hand Position 29: The Waterfall
Hold your slightly cupped left hand above the top of the head (not touching) and hold your slightly
cupped right hand just below the pubic bone (not touching). Keep your hands in this position for thirty
seconds to one minute.
This image is from one of my favorite places in the tropics of Guatemala, where a natural hot spring
flows down a mountainside, gathering into a cascading waterfall.

If you have ever sat beneath a waterfall, then you have felt the exhilarating, soothing effect of the
water as it falls atop your head, cleansing and revitalizing your entire body and mind. The Waterfall,
one of the closing moves of your treatment session, has the same effect.

Hand Position 30: Closing Affirmation/Dedication
Silently or out loud, express gratitude. Affirm the therapeutic benefits of the session by restating the
intention you set at the beginning. Be specific. Here are some examples:
Thank you for this session. I affirm that I am feeling relief from pain in my lower back.
I would like to express my gratitude for the benefits of this session. I affirm relief from the
tension in my neck.
I am thankful for this session. I affirm that I am not worried about my deadlines at work and
that I now feel more relaxed.
Your closing affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I am grateful for being healthy and happy.
Thank you for the joy in my life.
I am now expressing my gratitude for being provided with protection and guidance. Thank
you.
Dedicate the benefits of your treatment session to another person or group of people in a specific or
general way. A dedication is offering a special gift to the person or group of people you choose. It is
a way of sharing the positive results that you have gained from your session with other people in
your life. Here are some examples:
I dedicate the benefits of this session to my uncle, who just had knee replacement surgery.
I would like to dedicate these benefits to the refugees around the world who need the
protection of shelter and food.
Today I dedicate all the benefits of my session to the health and happiness of everyone
around the world.

Dedicating the benefits of your treatment session to others is a powerful gesture of gratitude. By
offering the positive results to others, you are receiving the benefits in return, as the healing energy is
unlimited and universal.
How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal the Earth
Now that you have practiced the steps for healing yourself using The STAR Method, you have
increased your sensitivity and awareness of the flow of energy through your hands. You have
probably become more empathic to the needs of the people and other living things around you. You
may occasionally find yourself feeling a strong desire to offer therapeutic touch to another person,
animal, or plant.
As you develop and increase your sensitivity to the subtle energy that flows through all things, you
may find that you are able to pick up on the pain, discomfort, and suffering of other people,
animals, and plants. Sometimes, this feeling can be overwhelming. If you use the techniques presented
in this book, then you can help ease the suffering of others.
If I feel intuitively called upon to give therapeutic touch to another person or living thing, then I
know that there must be a need for the recipient to heal. By the simple act of offering conscious touch
to another living thing, I receive benefits in return. Here is a story to illustrate how this works:
I was walking through a parking lot, when a large cargo truck backed up into the overhanging limb
of a tree, breaking it off with a loud snap. The limb tumbled to the ground. I stood from a distance and
watched as the sap began to flow from where the limb had been torn off. I intuitively sensed that the
tree was crying in pain. I felt strongly called to send the tree some healing energy.
The severed part of the tree was too high up for me to reach from the ground, so I stood beside the
tree and placed my open palms against its trunk. I closed my eyes and waited, taking deep, slow
breaths. After about a minute, I began to feel a palpable sensation in my hands, distinctly different
from the one I received whenever I touched the redwood tree growing beside the stream along my
favorite hiking trail. Instead of a steady tingling, the flow of energy within the recently injured tree in
the parking lot felt more like an intense, hot pulsation. I stayed with the tree for a few minutes. The
sensation shifted to a more stable, wavelike pulsing that felt warm. When I removed my hands, I
noticed that my own body felt more relaxed and less tense than before I had offered therapeutic,
healing touch to the tree.
In this section, you will learn how to send healing energy to the entire planet, to specific geographical
locations, or to specific regions on Earth. Many traditions consider the Earth to be a living, breathing
organism, complete with its own set of lungs, a nervous system, and other analogous body parts.23
When you channel healing energy to the Earth, it receives therapeutic benefits, in much the same way
that you can receive specific physiological benefits from a treatment session.
Whenever you witness catastrophes, injustices, emergencies, or traumatic events play out on the news
or in your immediate surroundings, you are not obliged to stand aside and watch in despair, wishing
that you could help. Whether you are outside in a natural setting, in a large, bustling city, on the train,
or walking through your neighborhood, you can send healing energy to a specific geographical area
where an event is taking place, to a group of people, animals, or plants in any location, or to the
entire planet in general.
Recall from the introduction to this book how the Earth is in a healing crisis, as environmental
destruction continues to take its toll on our natural ecosystems. Humanity is facing unprecedented
crises on a global scale. The news media are replete with stories of death, suffering, and calamity all
around the world.
Instead of feeling a sense of hopelessness or indifference, you can take meaningful, purposeful action
whenever you hear about horrible injustices, see news footage of disasters, or witness first-hand the
suffering of others. You can channel healing energy to a specific location or to the entire world,
benefiting people and other living things. By healing the Earth, you are healing yourself, too.
When I lived in Guatemala City with my husband, we rented a small apartment in a busy urban area.
Our neighborhood featured a relatively safe, secluded public park that was located on the top of a hill
overlooking a large, forested area and ravine. I jogged in the park regularly, as it had plenty of trees,
flowers, and fresh air, in contrast to the grit and grime of most of the city.
Early one morning as I approached the park, I noticed that a maintenance crew was busy performing
various landscaping duties. A group of men were high up in the tallest trees, chopping off large limbs
that were apparently interfering with electrical power lines.
I was dismayed by what appeared to be a brutish approach to tree maintenance: Instead of carefully
pruning the branches, the men were chopping off the largest limbs with no thought to how the trees
would appear after the massacre was over. Whether they lacked proper training or simply didnt care,
the park was left in a hellish state after they left that day. I was overcome with a feeling of sadness.
I returned a few days later to find large limbs still lying beneath the now barren, seemingly lifeless
trees. There were no birds circling overhead. I felt as though the spirit of the place had been forcibly
removed, and the park did not offer me the familiar, nurturing feeling that it had before. An
overwhelming sadness and pain filled my heart. All I could do was sit down on a park bench, bow my
head, and pray, asking for forgiveness for the thoughtless destruction that humanity has wrought on
our natural landscapes.
At that moment, I remembered the technique for healing the Earth using The STAR Method. I held my
hands with my palms facing inward at the level of my heart. I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and
prayed for healing to be sent to the trees, birds, and insects that had been disturbed or displaced. I held
this position and noticed a warm, pulsing sensation between my hands. When I felt the energy drop
off, I removed my hands, rubbed them together, and said one last prayer. I offered my gratitude for
the opportunity to channel healing energy to the Earth. I affirmed that the land would regain its natural
balance. I felt a sense of relief and hope.
Instructions
Use this technique to send healing to a specific geographical location on the Earth, or to the planet in
general. You could do this after you hear about a terrible disaster or catastrophe in a specific location,
for example. This technique can be effective, whether or not you are physically in the target location.
Energy is universal and limitless, and the power of healing knows no boundaries.
Step 1. First, state exactly what you would like to accomplish, gain, or experience from the treatment
session (silently or out loud). Be specific. Here are some examples:
Today I am asking specifically to help the people in (name of country).
I request that the people in our government are guided to make good decisions today.
I want to send hope and comfort to anyone who may be suffering from pain.
Your affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I want to send healing energy to the Earth.
I wish to see an end to violence and war on the planet.
Today I am asking for protection and guidance for everyone on Earth.
Step 2. Imagine that the Earth is between your two hands. Hold your hands at the level of your heart
about 12 inches apart with your palms facing each other. You may focus on a specific place on Earth
where you want to send healing, or you may simply wish to send healing to the planet in general.
Step 3. Send healing energy to the Earth. You may or may not feel anything at first. Simply allow
your intention to be made clear, and the energy will be directed to wherever it needs to go.
Remember: You are simply a channel for the flow of healing energy. Relax and breathe deeply. You
may close your eyes or keep them open, imagining the Earth between your hands.
Step 4. Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax. Focus on the flow of energy through your hands. Hold the
hand position for thirty seconds to one minute, or for as long as you feel it is helpful or necessary to
do so. When you feel a drop-off in the flow of energy through your hands, this indicates that the
treatment session is complete. Slowly remove your hands. Clap your hands at least once, blow on
them, or shake them out. This shows that you have completed the session, and your hands are now
free to be used for other activities.
Step 5. Silently or out loud, express gratitude. Affirm the therapeutic benefits of the session by
restating the intention you set at the beginning. Be specific. Here are some examples:
Thank you for this session. I affirm that the people in (name of country) are being helped.
I would like to express my gratitude for the benefits of this session. I affirm that the people in
our government are being guided to make good decisions today.
I am thankful for this session. I affirm that anyone who may have been suffering from pain is
now filled with hope and comfort.
Your closing affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I am grateful for being able to send healing energy to the Earth.
I am now expressing my gratitude that everyone on Earth is protected and guided today.
Thank you.
Thank you for peace and happiness on Earth.
Dedicate the benefits of your session to all living things on Earth. A dedication is like offering a
special gift. When you dedicate the positive results of your treatment session to the entire planet, you
are allowing the benefits to become limitless and to multiply exponentially. Here are some examples:
I dedicate this session to the health and happiness of everyone on Earth.
I dedicate this healing to peace on Earth.
May the benefits of this treatment session be dedicated to helping every person and every
living thing on Earth.
By affirming the health of planet Earth, you are affirming your own health, happiness, and wellbeing.
Recall how positive thinking decreases stress.24 When we replace negative thoughts and feelings with
positive ones, we activate behavioral and emotional responses of relaxation and happiness, allowing
us to access health and wellness in our lives.
After you use The STAR Method to heal the Earth, you may find that the people around you seem to
be friendlier, happier, and more loving. You may find that you feel more peaceful and relaxed
throughout your day. When you receive these kinds of positive results, then you are realizing the
power of your hands for personal and planetary healing.
In Module 2 of The STAR Method, you will learn how to heal your interpersonal relationships. By
learning the techniques presented in Module 2, you can improve your relationships with the people in
your life: your spouse, your children, your colleagues, and your family and friends.
If you would like to pre-order the next book in this series, please click here.
The Full-Color Spectrum Model of The STAR Method
In Module 1 of this program, the full-color spectrum model of The STAR Method includes the seven
energy centers of the body and a sequence of hand placements that are designed to activate specific
physiological responses in the body (see Table 2).
In Modules 2-7 of The STAR Method, this full-color spectrum model will be expanded to include
other important information, tools, and techniques.
The STAR Method Full Treatment Session

Hand Position 13. The Lovers
Hand Position 14. The Butterfly
Hand Position 15. Left Shoulder
Hand Position 16. Left Breast
Hand Position 17. Lungs
Hand Position 18. Right Breast
Hand Position 19. Right Shoulder
Hand Position 20. The Star Symbol
Hand Position 21. The Minds Eye
Hand Position 22. The Crown
Hand Position 23. Eyes
Hand Position 24. Temples
Hand Position 25. Ears
Hand Position 26. Jaw
Hand Position 27. Back of Head

Hand Position 28. Integrating the Benefits
Hand Position 29. The Waterfall
Hand Position 30. Closing Affirmation/Dedication
The STAR Method Short Treatment Session
1. The Chalice
2. The V
3. The Sun
4. The Lovers
5. The Butterfly
6. The Minds Eye
7. The Crown
8. The Waterfall
Endnotes
1. World Health Organization (2014). Preventing suicide: A global imperative [First WHO
World Suicide Report]. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention
Notably, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds globally.
2. Koehler, G. (2001). Stress management exercises for professionals and students. Strategies,
15(2), 7-10.
The body responds to stress by producing adrenaline, cortisol, beta brain waves, and nervous
tension. Constant adrenaline results in fatigue; cortisol weakens the immune system; and
constant stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system results in muscle tension and
nervousness, while depleting energy. Such over-stimulation can lead to serious illness (p. 7).
3. McPherson, G. (2014, November 11). Climate-change summary and update [Blog post].
Retrieved from http://guymcpherson.com/climate-chaos/
4. Williams, K., & Poel, E.W. (2006). Stress Management for Special Educators: The SelfAdministered Tool for Awareness and Relaxation (STAR). TEACHING Exceptional Children
PLUS, 3(1) Article 2. Retrieved from http://journals.cec.sped.org/tecplus/vol3/iss1/art2
5. Arzu, A. (2014). Healing the healers: who we are [Essay]. Retrieved from
http://arzumountainspirit.com/who_we_are
6. Frawley, D. (1996). Ayurveda and the mind: the healing of consciousness. Twin Lakes, WI:
Lotus Press.
7. Shang, C. (2001). Emerging paradigms in mind-body medicine. The Journal of Alternative &
Complementary Medicine, 7(1), p. 83.
8. Davidson-Rada, M., & Davidson-Rada, J. (1993). The rainbow model of health as ongoing
transformation. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 11(1), 42-55.
9. Burden, B., Herron-Marx, S., & Clifford, C. (2005). The increased use of Reiki as a
complementary therapy in specialist palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing,
11(5), 248-253.
10. Wardell, D.W., & Weymouth, K.F. (2004). Review of studies of healing touch. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 36 (2), p. 154.
11. McClure, V. (2000). Infant massage: a handbook for loving parents. 3rd ed., New York:
Bantam Books.
12. University of Miami Medical School Touch Research Institute (2014). Research at TRI
[Report]. Retrieved from http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/Research.html
13. Goodman, S. (1990). The book of Shiatsu: the healing art of finger pressure. New York:
Avery Publishing Group, Inc.
14. Stenger, V. (2014). Energy medicine [Essay]. Retrieved from

http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/Medicine/EnergyMed.html
15. Rowland, A.Z. (2010). The complete book of traditional Reiki. Rochester, Vermont: Healing
Arts Press.
16. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2014). OrthoInfo: Your connection to expert
orthopaedic information [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org
17. Benson, H. (1975). The relaxation response. New York: Morrow.
18. Brady, R. (2004). Schooled in the moment: Introducing mindfulness to students and
professionals. Independent School, 64(1), p. 84.
19. Liungman, C.G. (1991). Dictionary of symbols. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
20. Matthews, B. (1978). The Herder symbol dictionary. Wilmette IL: Chiron Publications.
21. Cirlot, J.E. (1971). A dictionary of symbols. London: Routledge.
22. ibid.
23. Moyers, B. (1988). The power of myth. Doubleday Publishing Group.
24. Benson, H. (1975). The relaxation response. New York: Morrow.
25. Dennison, P. E., & Dennison, G. E. (1994). Brain gym (Professionals ed. rev.), California:
Edu Kinesthetics, Inc.
26. Harkins, T. (2014, February 12). Dangerous use of seclusion and restraints in schools
remains widespread and difficult to remedy: A review of ten cases [United States Senate Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Major Committee Report]. Retrieved from
http://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Seclusion%20and%20Restraints%20Final%20Report.p
Due to the lack of a clear federal law regarding appropriate behavior interventions in the
nations schools, under current law, a family whose child has been injured, experienced
trauma, or, in the worst case, has died as a result of use of seclusion or physical restraint in a
school has little or no recourse through school procedures or the courts.
27. U.S. Department of Education (2014). Office of Civil Rights [Data collection]. Retrieved
from http://ocrdata.ed.gov
Seclusion and physical restraints are used at least 66,000 times every year in U.S. schools to
address behavioral concerns of students with and without disabilities.
References
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Other Books in This Series

The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and Realization
*
Module 1
Self-Healing with Therapeutic Touch
*
Module 2
Healing Others with Therapeutic Touch
*
Module 3
Realizing Your Lifes Mission on Earth
*
Module 4
Mentoring Future Generations
*
Module 5
Expressing Your Highest Truth
*
Module 6
Activating Your Intuitive Awareness
*
Module 7
Receiving Guidance from Your Highest Source
Invitation to Review This Book
Your reader reviews are important to me! If you liked this book, please help me by providing your
review on Amazon. Your honest feedback is always appreciated and will help me make the next book
in this series the best it can be.
In exchange for providing your review, I would like to provide you with a free Life Reading on my
website. To find out more about this free offer, please click here.
If you found the information in this book helpful and would like to pass it along to friends and family,
you are invited to share and comment on social media:
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Thank you!
About the Author
www.ParamaWilliams.com
Parama K. Williams, MA, CMT, CYT is a published authorwith a Master of Arts in Education and
fifteen years of international experience as a Certified Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher. She is an
avid practitioner of yoga and meditation.
As a classroom teacher and consultant in public and private schools for over a decade, Parama
specializes in educational interventions for children and adults of all ages who are diagnosed with a
variety of developmental and learning disabilities. In 2012 she conceptualized and founded The Farm
School, a network of experiential learning centers in Central America that emphasize practical skills
training for the health and wellness of the community and the land.
Parama currently lives in Central America, where she writes, provides therapeutic massage and
bodywork, and offers ongoing wellness retreats, classes, and seminars. On her blog, she provides
intuitive Life Readings to help people discover their unique lifes mission.
Contact the Author:
Facebook.com/ParamaYogaMethod
Twitter.com/ParamaWilliams

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The

STAR Method (Module 1)

Hand Position 14: The Butterfly

Praise for The STAR Method

Radical Reform: How and Why I Created The STAR Method

I am fascinated by the potential for a cultural revolution. By revolution, I am not referring to a

Introduction: An Urgent Call to Action for All Humanity

How to Use This Book Series

If you want to reduce stress in your life;

The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and

physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness.5

Table 1: The connection between your body

lower abdominal area,

throat, neck, esophagus,

3 rd Eye Center between the

forehead, frontal lobes

left and right brain

top of the head

Table 2: The connection between your

Eng lish and

Benefits of Therapeutic Touch

Table 3: Physiological benefits of The STAR

small intestines, part

Receiving these physiolog ical

the entire body,

throat, thyroid gland,

frontal lobes of the

left and right

Testimonials and Anecdotes

Activating Your Awareness of Energy

Table 4: Quality of energy flow during a treatment

Rang e (from hig h to low)

intensity of the draw

intense, strong, normal, weak, dull, subtle

hot, warm, normal

zigzag, intermittent, wavelike, steady, stable

sharp, throbbing, pulsing, tingling

How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal Oneself

Hand Position 1: Opening Affirmation/Prayer

Hand Position 2: Centering

Hand Position 3: Scanning the Body

Hand Position 4: The Spiral Symbol

endocrine glands: the adrenals, the gonads, and the pancreas.

Hand Position 5: The Chalice

Where in the body:

Hand Position 6: The V

Where in the body:

Hand Position 7: The Sun

Where in the body:

Hand Position 8: Right Hip

Where in the body:

Relieves pain associated with arthritis in the hip joint

Hand Position 9: Right Abdomen

Where in the body:

Hand Position 10: Left Abdomen

Where in the body:

Hand Position 11: Left Hip

Where in the body:

Relieves pain associated with arthritis in the hip joint

Hand Position 12: The Cross Symbol

Hand Position 13: The Lovers

Where in the body:

Conditions and ailments to be treated: