The STAR Method Module 2

The
STAR Method (Module 2)

Healing Others 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 2015 by Parama K. Williams
Photographs by Mariana Cedillo
Photo modeling by Eva Maria Redondo
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.
In personal anecdotes and testimonials, names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following people for their contributions to Module 2 of The STAR Method:
Abuelo Jaguar (Dr. Javier Navarro), consultant, mentor, and teacher, for sharing your wisdom and
experience, and for your encouragement;
My husband John for being one of my greatest teachers;
Kiki Suarez for your caring attention and support;
Lourdes Vizcaino for your commitment to mentoring future generations;
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 sister Jill, whose unconditional love and support have given me strength
To all my teachers, who have dedicated their lives to imparting knowledge
To future generations of brave warriors, whose legacy will be a cultural revolution
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Praise for The STAR Method
Prologue: Radical Reform
Introduction: Teachings from a Traditional Mayan Shaman
How to Use This Book Series
The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and Relaxation
Benefits of Therapeutic Touch
Testimonials and Anecdotes
Activating Your Awareness of Energy
How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal Others
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 Perform Distant Healing
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: Using Therapeutic Touch in Educational Settings

As a former Special Education teacher, I have worked in public schools as a specialist for children
and adults with multiple disabilities, including autism. Many of my students exhibited severe
behavioral problems; for example, when they were upset, some of them would frequently hit, scratch,
and bite themselves or other students.
One day I was working with a two-year-old boy, Daniel, who had not yet begun to verbalize and often
exhibited temper tantrums. It was the end of the school day, and I had instructed the children to gather
their personal belongings. As is often the case for individuals diagnosed with autism, making the
transition from one activity or one location to another was difficult for Daniel to manage. He
continued to scream and cry for several minutes and would not respond to any of the strategies that I
employed in an attempt to redirect his attention. I decided that it had become too distracting for him to
continue being in the same room with the other students, so I accompanied him into the next-door
recreation room, where there were plenty of cushions and equipment for physical exercise.
I sat with Daniel on one of the cushions and encouraged him to lie down and relax. I sang softly to
him and placed my hand gently on his abdomen, which was heaving with sobs. He was hot and sweaty
from the effort of crying. Immediately he relaxed and stopped crying. When I removed my hand and
attempted to get up off the cushion, he instantly grabbed my hand and placed it back onto his belly
without saying a word. He placed his hand on top of mine and insisted on keeping my hand there for
several more minutes, until he was completely calm and relaxed. Daniel had no further temper
tantrums and was able to transition smoothly to the next activity.
Therapeutic touch, the application of the hands on the body to promote health and well-being, can be
used safely in educational settings to improve academic performance and support positive behaviors
in students. Scientific studies indicate that therapeutic touch can improve learning. In his book,
Learning with the Body in Mind (2000), Eric Jensen presents the latest research in neuroscience to
emphasize the connection between the physical body, the brain, and learning.1 By stimulating the body
through physical touch and other exercises, neurotransmitters in the brain are activated, resulting in
improved attention, memory, and thinking processes.
Studies show that children who arent touched exhibit serious social and behavioral problems such as
the lack of basic emotions as well as suppressed physical growth and impaired immune systems.
Touch-deprived children have trouble walking, balancing, holding crayons, voicing basic needs, and
remembering words.2
Children, babies and infants certainly arent the only ones who need to be touched: Adults also need to
touch and be touched for optimum health and wellness. In his book Touching: The Human Significance
of the Skin, Dr. Ashley Montagu says, Tactile needs dont change with aging. If anything, they seem
to increase.3

I currently live in Mexico, where I travel, write, teach yoga classes, and facilitate workshops and
retreats. I provide ongoing therapeutic massage and rehabilitation for adults with a wide range of
developmental and physical disabilities. One of my clients is a middle-aged woman, Sandra, who is
diagnosed with mental retardation and uses a wheelchair for most of the day. She cannot stand up or
walk without assistance. Sandra attends a specialized school for adults with disabilities, where the
founder/director has recognized the benefits of physical exercise and massage therapy for the
students.
One day the director invited me to provide a therapeutic, full-body massage to Sandra.
I know how much she needs it, the director said, Sandra is over fifty years old, and she has never
had a massage in her life.
Three assistants were needed to lift Sandras overweight body from her wheelchair onto the massage
table. Long hours of sitting in the same upright position without moving her legs resulted in stiffness
and limited range of motion in her hip joints. Since this was a new and unfamiliar activity for her,
Sandra was agitated and resistant to lying down. Instead she sat upright and held her arms rigid and
tense.
I began the therapy session by offering Sandra gentle, non-invasive, therapeutic touch on her
shoulders. Gradually, she relaxed and was more responsive to my encouragement for her to lie down.
With the director and several assistants standing by to observe, I proceeded with the session. Within
five minutes, Sandra was lying down on her back with her eyes closed, fully relaxed. I think she fell
asleep a few times during what turned out to be a full hour of therapy. Her teachers made comments
like, I didnt expect her to be so relaxed! and She looks so happy! and Wow! We have to make
sure she gets massage more often!
Throughout my fifteen years of experience working with clients who have significant physical and
developmental disabilities, I have found that therapeutic touch significantly improves their overall
functioning and ability to perform in school and everyday life.
Ricardo is a client in his mid-fifties who is diagnosed with advanced-stage Parkinsons Disease. On a
daily basis, he has tremors and muscular rigidity that limit his mobility, and sometimes he has trouble
getting out of bed. I provide weekly therapy to Ricardo to help him relax and reduce the tension and
tremors in his body. Ricardo told me, When I get therapy, I feel better all day. My muscles are
stronger and less rigid. My body doesnt tremor as often. I feel less tired, and I can stay active for
longer hours.
As a full-time special education classroom teacher and consultant in public and private schools across
the U.S., 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. Before I began my teaching career, I had already become a
Certified Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher.
Throughout my career, I have observed a high degree of stress in my colleagues and students, who
often exhibited stress, anxiety, frequently come down with colds and other sicknesses, and held
negative attitudes towards school in general. I was determined to use the tools I had learned in my
massage therapy and yoga training to maintain my own health and wellness and manage job-related
stress.
As I personally witnessed how my students were detrimentally impacted by high levels of stress, I
started to use proven, therapeutic techniques with them in the classroom. 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.4 I offered yoga classes to my colleagues after school
in the multipurpose room. I received encouraging, positive feedback and support from my school
administration.
When I was a consultant in the Arizona public schools, I offered therapeutic massage on a weekly
basis to the administration and teachers. The principal of the elementary school commented, I look
forward to my session each week. It relaxes me after a long day, and I can go home relaxed. I sleep
better and feel rested the next day.
The public school psychologist, who also received a weekly session, said, Teachers should be
getting this kind of therapy on a regular basis. All the schools across the nation should be doing this.
Its great, and it really helps relieve stress.
The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and Relaxation, 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 job-related 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, our teachers should not be overly
stressed, and our children deserve to learn in a relaxed, healthy environment that supports their
optimal well-being.
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).5 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. 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. The STAR Method was launched as a pilot program in a public school to help prevent job
burnout and provide teachers with a practical method for managing stress. I received much positive
feedback about The STAR Method:
I will keep using The STAR Method every day until school gets out in June. It works! It really works.
Let's continue doing it. My students want to do more of The STAR Method. F.C., ElementaryMiddle School Teacher, Belize, Central America
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. 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 focused on deep meditation and introspection
for one year. I reflected on my halcyon days as a graduate student and first-year 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 needed
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, which focuses on
practical skills training for the health and wellness of the community and the land. I moved to Central
America, where I now write, teach, travel, and offer ongoing classes, workshops, and seminars.
I am fascinated by the potential for radical reform. I believe that each one of us can radically reform
ourselvesa subtle, yet powerful transformationenacted from within our own hearts and minds.
A transformation from within must find its expression in the outer world.
I believe that radical reform is the only thing that can change the course of humanity, now standing at
a critical crossroads. It is my sincerest hope that The STAR Method can make a significant
contribution to making the world a better, healthier, more peaceful place.
Introduction: Teachings from a Traditional Mayan Shaman

For the past five years, I have lived and traveled in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico the heart of
Mayan culture and civilization. Within the past year, I moved to the mountains in the southernmost
region of Mexico. One afternoon when I was on my way to the local market to buy fruits, vegetables,
and tamales (corn flour and cheese wrapped in a corn husk and steamed), I saw a sign that captured
my attention: Traditional Mayan Spa Mayan Healing Ritual. I felt compelled to go inside and
find out more about this kind of therapy.
As soon as I walked in the door, a thin, short Mexican man wearing a straw hat greeted me with a
smile. He gently took hold of both my hands, and before saying anything else, he asked, Do you
want to learn the traditional Mayan healing ways? I had the distinct feeling that he had been standing
there waiting for me to arrive. With no hesitation, I said yes.
Dr. Javier Navarro, also known as Abuelo (Grandfather) Jaguar, is a Mayan shaman and guardian
of the ancient healing tradition of the Mayan people in southern Mexico, where the indigenous people
consider the jaguar to be one of the most sacred animals. Grandfather has forty-eight years of
experience as a traditional curandero (healer), certified naturopathic doctor, and nutritionist. He has
traveled extensively throughout Central America to facilitate ceremonies and rituals for personal and
planetary healing.
Grandfather invited me to follow him into his treatment room, where a young man was lying facedown on a massage table, his body covered with jade stones and herbs. Grandfather told me that he
was finishing up a Mayan healing ritual with this young man. I heard the sound of hand drums and
flute music playing in the background. Several candles were lit and jaguar figurines of various sizes
lined the shelves.
She is my assistant, Grandfather said to the young man lying face-down on the massage table.
Grandfather gestured for me to place my hands on the mans shoulders, and then I noticed that the
man was crying. I held my hands on his shoulders for several minutes while Grandfather played a
flute and hand drums.
Grandfather told the man that the ritual was complete, and that he could sit up. But as soon as the man
saw Grandfather s face, he started crying again, until he was sobbing. Grandfather held his hands to
the mans face and said to him, Has recibido la bendicin de la selva. Abre tus ojos a una nueva
realidad con paz y amor hacia ti mismo, tu familia, y tu trabajo.
Youve received the blessing of the jungle. Open your eyes to a new reality, with peace and love
toward yourself, your family, and your work.
Grandfather said to me, He is not crying from sadness. He is crying from joy.
Grandfather hugged the man and blessed him by placing a jade necklace around his neck.
I spent several hours that afternoon getting to know my new friend and teacher, Abuelo Jaguar. He
sat in his favorite rocking chair wearing his straw hat, and I felt treated like his daughter, as he told
me stories from his childhood, his upbringing, and how he became a Mayan shaman. He spoke to me
as if I was the most important person in the world, and I lost track of time as I was enveloped within
the safety and warmth of his presence. Our conversation focused mainly on the significance of being
a healer.
The word maya means love. A healer must learn to love everyone, including oneself. To be
Mayan has nothing to do with religion. It is a way of life, a way of being.
To love is to have faith in what the heart says. Love is not gained with money, nor is it gained
through personal desire. Love must be cultivated, and that is how one learns to love everyone.
Healing is the fruit of love. The main objective of healing is to put the body, mind, and spirit into
balance.
For the next several months, I visited Grandfather in the home where he was born and raised, in the
center of a small town that is now a popular tourist destination in southern Mexico. Each day he had
something new and different to share with me. He had accepted me as his apprentice, yet he could not
satisfy my North American concept of what it meant to take on a course of study: I wanted him to
outline my curriculum and explain the scope and sequence of what I was going to learn from him.
One day I asked him, How long will it take me to learn what you have to teach me?
He smiled and said, Mi hija, no se puede decir. Eso depende de t.
My daughter, I cant tell you. That depends on you.
Gradually I realized that my study with Grandfather could not be measured, evaluated, or outlined in a
syllabus. Grandfather Jaguar could teach me on an individual basis only, and according to my
capacity, sincerity, and heartfelt desire to learn from him. My apprenticeship with Grandfather would
arise spontaneously out of my own readiness for spiritual growth and development as a healer.
One day I shared The STAR Method with Grandfather. His reaction was at once surprising and
encouraging to me.
Grandfather said, It is time for people to unite and share their ancient wisdom. We see healing with
the hands in all the ancient traditions from around the world Greek, Hindu, Oriential, and Mayan.
The STAR Method has a basis in the Mayan tradition that I learned from my teacher.
Grandfather told me about how he had apprenticed for many years with an Abuelo (term of respect
for an elder) Mayan healer whom he met in the jungle, in an isolated tropical region of Mexico,
where the jaguar is considered to be a sacred animal with healing powers.
We all must align ourselves with universal truth, the way the ancient sages did in the past: people
came together from distant lands regularly to share wisdom. The STAR Method is something I have
been waiting for. Its going to bring people together and unite humanity so that you dont have to
suffer so much in the future.
I sat with him in the patio of his home, where the sun shone brightly and kept us warm on a typically
cold day in this mountainous region of southern Mexico. As usual, he wore his straw hat and a jade
necklace, his talisman as the respected shaman and keeper of the Mayan jaguar healing tradition.
Humanity must be prepared for the future. There will be a purification, and in the future there will be
a lot of suffering and death. Grandfather paused, stood up, cleared his throat, and said, I am sorry. It
makes me sad to think about the suffering. He paced momentarily, composing himself.
Then he continued, It is my responsibility to sow the seeds for a better future by teaching the truth:
Science and technology cannot improve the situation: Each one of us needs to know how to change
ourselves personally, one by one.
We need to know how to heal ourselves without modern medicine. We need something simpler:
healing with the hands this is the most basic, and everyone can and must learn how to do it.
As my apprenticeship with Grandfather progressed, he began to share more information about the
Mayan prophecies that he was given to know by dint of his role as a leader and shaman amongst the
many surrounding Mayan communities.
There will be ten years for people from all over the world to travel and learn from the wise
shamans, to share ancient wisdom teachings. It is our responsibility to respect the ancient wisdom
keepers of the world. We should return to the traditional practice of bringing people from all over the
world together in a ceremony to share the ancient wisdom teachings.
We have to visit all of our communities, and we must revive the sacred places and feel the heart of
the Mayan world. We must bless the hands of the healers and the hands that take care of the Earth. We
must return to the traditional ways of taking care of Mother Earth.
My apprenticeship with Grandfather Jaguar continues to gradually progress, and whenever I have the
opportunity to spend time with him, I learn something profound that impacts me deeply on a personal
and spiritual level. I notice that it often takes several weeks for me to realize the full significance of
his teachings, because they are so individual and personal. One of the most meaningful teachings I
had the privilege to receive from him recently was about the importance of self-healing.
He said, Self-healing is the most basic, the first essential step in learning how to heal others. You
have to learn how to heal yourself before you can be a healer for anyone else.
Module 1 of The STAR Method teaches self-healing using therapeutic touch.6 Module 1 should be
learned and practiced before progressing to Module 2, which teaches how to heal others using the
same sequence of thirty hand positions. In Module 2, you will learn how to enhance and improve your
personal relationships with other people using effective, practical techniques of therapeutic touch.
Never before has it been more essential to connect authentically with others for the purpose of
healing and helping one another. Across the planet, humanity is currently facing the intersection of
multiple, unprecedented crises7: 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.8 In Module 2 of The STAR Method, you will learn a practical method
for helping your family, friends, and loved ones feel healthier, relaxed, and more balanced.
These are undeniably stressful times for humanity. 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.9 The
STAR Method is an original self-help program that can help you relax and effectively manage stress.
The tools and techniques of The STAR Method are designed to help you achieve personal success,
health, and wellness in your life.
It is my sincere prayer that The STAR Method will inspire a radical cultural revolution to heal
ourselves and the Earth. Our future generations deserve a chance to thrive in harmony on a healthy
planet. At this very moment, it is up to each one of us.
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 effective10:
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.
In Module 2, you will learn how to use therapeutic touch to heal another person, animal, or other
living thing following the same sequence of thirty hand positions that was presented in Module 1. 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.
Module 2 also teaches how to perform distant healing on another person who is not physically
present in the room with you. This technique can be useful if you have a friend or family member
who is sick or injured, but you cannot physically be with the person for one reason or another. You
can use this distant healing technique to send the person universal, life force energy for physical,
emotional, and spiritual health and wellness.
Module 2 will teach you how to use the power of universal symbols and life-force energy for healing
other people and living things. There has never been a more urgent time than now to achieve these
important goals:
How to help others reduce stress by increasing their self-awareness of the connection between
the body, mind, and its behavioral and emotional responses
How to effectively apply therapeutic touch using a sequence of thirty hand positions especially
designed to help your loved ones manage stress and receive a variety of physiological
benefits
How to heal the body with therapeutic touch by following three simple, guiding principles
How to use universal symbols and color for personal and planetary healing
This book (Module 2) 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 learning how to heal others using your own
hands. In so doing, you are sowing the seeds from which our future generations will harvest.
The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and

Relaxation
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 2, you will review the relationship between energy, your physical body, the colors of the
rainbow, and how colorthe most universal of all symbolselicits physiological responses in our
bodies.
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 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.11

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.12

The energy centers (chakras) are an interconnected network that regulates growth and physiology in
the human body.13 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.14 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
Chakra name in
Colors of the
Eng lish and
rainbow
Sanskrit
Root Center
red
(Muladhara)
Navel Center
orang e
(Svadhisthana)
Solar Plexus
yellow
Center
(Manipura)
Heart Center
g reen
(Anahata)
Throat Center
blue
(Visshudha)
indig o
violet
3 rd Eye Center
(Ajna)
Crown Center
(Sahasrara)
Corresponding
endocrine
g lands
Emotional and
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
In this program, you will learn how to effectively apply therapeutic touch to another persons body,
following a specified sequence of thirty hand positions.
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 a
special kind of physical contact with the hands that is conscious, caring, loving, gentle, and safe. The
practitioner of therapeutic touch must have a strong sense of commitment and intention to help and
heal the recipient physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically.
Dolores Krieger, professor of nursing at New York University and author of The Therapeutic Touch:
How to Use Your Hands to Help or to Heal (1986), has researched therapeutic touch for decades. In
her book, Krieger prints the accounts of many practitioners of therapeutic touch who have
successfully treated conditions ranging from the quieting of crying in babies to the healing of injuries
and chronic illnesses.15
In Module 2, you will learn a specified sequence of thirty hand positions that are especially designed
to help relieve stress and activate a relaxation response in the body, and result in many physiological
benefits. By applying the specified sequence of hand positions in The STAR Method, you will support
the biological functions and processes of the 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. For those who may be skeptical, the proof lies in experiencing the benefits
of therapeutic touch personally, thereby knowing for certain how this technique can affect the body
and mind.
Table 3: Physiological benefits of The STAR

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

of the large intestines
kidneys, lower back,
part of the sacrum
Resulting in 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
The Sun
middle part of the

transverse colon,
lower part of the
stomach
The Lovers
heart, blood that

circulates throughout
the entire body,
thymus gland, upper
respiratory tract
The Butterfly
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
Restoration of mental and

emotional wellbeing
Relief from indigestion and
nausea
Strengthening of the immune
system and cardiovascular
functions
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

Therapeutic touch is scientifically proven to be beneficial and healing on a physical level: It relieves
stress and activates a relaxation response by promoting biological and physiological changes in the
body.16 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.17
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.18 Research at the University of Miami School of Medicine shows that therapeutic touch
is as important to infants and children as eating and sleeping.19 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.
In a study of patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease, Dr. Janet Quinn of the College of
Nursing of the University of North Carolina found a highly significant decrease in acute anxiety
following the application of therapeutic touch for only five minutes by nurses with several years of
experience and understanding of the method.20
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 2 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.21 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.
Testimonials and Anecdotes

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
For years I have had constant aches and pains in my entire body. At first I was diagnosed
with arthritis. Then the doctors told me that I have fibromyalgia [a medical condition
characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue and a
heightened and painful response to pressure]. They dont really know whether its arthritis or
fibromyalgia, or both. Sometimes the pain so bad, I cant get out of bed. Parama has been
giving me therapy sessions every week for the past two months. The last time I went to my
rheumatologist, she said, Youre better than Ive ever seen you. What are you doing
different? The doctor gave me a pain test and told me I had fewer points of pain. Keep
getting those therapy sessions, my doctor told me, They are helping you a lot.
In Central America I offer ongoing workshops in which participants can learn how to use The STAR
Method to heal themselves and other people. Recently a participant had the opportunity to be a model
for the workshop, and she received over two hours of therapeutic touch from the other participants.
After receiving a full treatment session with The STAR Method, she said, I enjoyed receiving the
flow of energy and feeling how it balanced and harmonized my entire body. I especially felt a lot of
benefit from the spiral symbol. It is marvelous how the energy rises, closing at the back of the neck. It
felt amazing. I am grateful for this technique. It really helped me.
Another client reported, The STAR Method relaxed me. That night I slept better than I have in a long
time.
One day my friend Maria requested a therapy session with me. She reported at the beginning of the
session that she was feeling a lot of pressure in her chest and pain in her abdominal region. During
her session, when I placed my hands above her pelvis (Position 5: The V), Maria started to cry. After
we completed a full session, she told me that she had been traumatized in that area of her body.
Maria said, The therapy helped me get in touch with some of the pain that I have been blocking. What
I really needed was to feel it. When you put your hand on my belly, I could finally make the
connection with the pain from my past. It felt so good to cry. I feel relaxed and much lighter now.
Please click here to view more testimonials from clients who have benefited from The STAR Method.
As you learn and practice The STAR Method with friends and family, you will probably be delighted
to receive positive feedback, as these techniques provide many physiological benefits. In the next
chapter, we will begin to explore these benefits in more detail.
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.22 As you increase your awareness to the natural flow of this energy through your
hands, you will realize your ability to heal yourself and other people using therapeutic touch.
Your sensitivity will increase with practice, especially if you learn the techniques for self-healing
taught in Module 1 of The STAR Method. If you find that you are not able to sense the energy right
away, then be patient and continue practicing. The most important is for the practitioner to have a
sincere intention to help and heal, and sensitivity will increase over time.
I have found that maintaining a consistent practice of stillness, prayer, and meditation helps me to be
more sensitive to the subtle life force energy within my own body and in my hands as I work with
clients. When I tune in to the energy in my clients body, I am consciously entering into a state of
meditative awareness in which I observe the flow of energy without being attached to the outcome or
results of the therapy. As the practitioner, I am a conscious observer, present and alert, without trying
to control or manipulate the experience; rather, I am simply a clear channel through which the energy
can flow freely.
One afternoon I was visiting a friend on his farm in southern Belize. His dog Peanut ran up to greet
me in a friendly manner. As soon as I reached out to pet him, I perceived a hot, prickly sensation in
his neck. Peanut responded well to my touch, and so I kept my hands on either side of his neck until I
sensed a shift in the flow of energy. Then I moved my hands to his upper back. Peanut remained
motionless and received the therapeutic touch with pleasure and calmness.
Later, my friend told me that Peanut had recently been hit by a car and was unable to walk for days.
Only recently had he started to run around the farm again. I concluded that Peanut had been injured
and was probably still in pain from the accident, which affected his neck and upper back.
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 tension 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, prickly, electrical, 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.23 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.24 This universal, life-giving force will be referred to as energy throughout this book.
All of the systems in your body function by electrical impulses. 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.
This came as a liberating realization for me while I was studying therapeutic massage and bodywork.
Although I was required to learn many techniques, I realized that I did not need to memorize anything
in order to allow healing energy to flow through my hands. By placing my hands on another person, I
have learned that I am able to instantly perceive the flow of this energy. Most importantly, I have
realized that I am not the source of the healing quality of this energy: I am simply a channel for the
energy to flow. The STAR Method can help you to realize this for yourself, allowing you to access
the power of your hands for personal and planetary healing.
How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal Others

Guiding Principles
In this section, you will learn how to effectively use The STAR Method to heal others by applying
therapeutic touch in a specified sequence of hand positions on the 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 the
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 Module 2 of The STAR Method, you are advised to practice a full
treatment session on a friend or family member 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 your loved one does 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 the body, which
correspond with each of the seven colors of the rainbow. You will also find the Appendix at the end of
this book to be a helpful reference while performing a treatment session.
As the practitioner, it is ideal to remain standing throughout the treatment session. You may choose to
keep your eyes closed or open. It is important for you to feel comfortable and relaxed. Instruct your
loved one to lie down on his or her back. It is recommended to use a massage table, as you will be
able to adjust the height so that you do not have to bend over to reach your clients body. If you do not
have access to a massage table, you can use a bed or couch, but you may need to sit, kneel or squat
beside your client in order to perform the treatment.
For the comfort of your client, place a pillow under her knees and cover her with a blanket.
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, squatting or kneeling, be sure that your spine is straight 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 the 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 [clients name] lower back.
I would like to relieve the tension in [clients name] neck.
I want to help [clients name] stop worrying about deadlines at work and feel more relaxed.
Your affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I want [clients name] to be healthy and happy.
I wish to help [clients name] feel more joy in his life.
Today I am asking for protection and guidance for [clients name].
An affirmation is a statement that validates a positive result or outcome. Research shows that positive
thinking decreases stress and activates a relaxation response.25
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.26
This position has a calming, grounding, soothing effect. It sends a signal to the body to relax,
preparing your client 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 clients 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
client.
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 starwill 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.27 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.28

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 clients body within his/her abdominal area. First, you will draw a
Spiral Symbol above the body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands
in seven positions on the abdominal area.
The Spiral Symbol serves to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands on
various parts of the 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 the body to support the optimal
functioning of these endocrine glands, as well as the bones, organs, tissues, muscles located in the
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 the navel (belly button), 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 small disc superimposed over the navel. Begin the smaller, inner spiral at a point on the
bottom of this disc. Draw the spiral clockwise once around the central disc, covering the entire
abdominal area and 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 navel. 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 the 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)
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 side and back 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 your client 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)
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 side and back 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.29 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 the body within your clients chest and neck area. First, you will draw a
Cross Symbol above the body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands
in seven positions on your clients neck and chest. In particular, The Cross Symbol activates the
endocrine glands located in this area of the 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 on top of the 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 (the bottom of the breastplate
where the bone meets the soft part of the belly), 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 (above the
throat). Draw a clockwise circle around the plus sign, ending at the same point where you started
(above the throat).
The Cross Symbol will now be followed by seven specific hand positions located in your clients
chest and neck area.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
As a light shining in the darkness, the star is a symbol of the spirit. Stars have been incorporated into
emblematic art all over the world.thirty The ultimate meaning of the star 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 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 the face and head. First, you will draw a star symbol above the body to activate,
amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands in seven positions on the head and face. In
particular, the star symbol activates the endocrine glands located in this area of the 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, and muscles located in the area of the
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 the head and face. Begin
by holding one of your hands (the dominant hand, preferably) about 12 inches above the 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 along 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 along the edge of the face, stopping at the bottom
point above 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 the head and face.
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
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
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
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.
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
Special notes:
This position can be helpful for someone who has suffered temporary loss of hearing due to
exposure to high decibel noises.
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
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.
This hand position provides your client with a sense of closure for the session. This move also helps
your client 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.
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, can have the same effect.
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 [clients name] is feeling relief from pain in his
lower back.
I would like to express my gratitude for the benefits of this session.
I am thankful for this session. I affirm that [clients name] is not worried about her deadlines
at work and that she can now feel more relaxed.
Your closing affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I am grateful for health and happiness.
Thank you for the joy in our lives.
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 this 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 Perform Distant Healing
Now that you have practiced the steps for healing yourself and other people 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.
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. You may occasionally find yourself feeling a strong desire to offer therapeutic
touch to another living being, whether near or far. In this section of Module 2, you will learn how to
perform distant healing to help ease the suffering of others, even if they are located far away from
you.
Distant healing is the act of intentionally channeling life force energy to another person when he or
she cannot be present in the same room with you. When you channel distant healing energy to another
person, he or she can still receive physiological benefits.31
In a systematic review of the available data on the efficacy of distant healing as treatment for
various medical conditions, researchers found statistically significant treatment effects. In patients
diagnosed with hypertension, distant healing (twenty minutes per week for 3 months) resulted in
decreased blood pressure. In patients diagnosed with AIDS, distant healing resulted in less illness
severity, fewer physician visits and hospitalizations, and improved mood.
In my mid-twenties, I went through a period of many drastic changes in my life: I ended a long-term
relationship, moved to a new town, and started a new full-time job. So many changes in my life all at
once resulted in a high level of stress and anxiety. I asked a therapist friend of mine to help me
through this difficult transition by offering distant healing. She lived thousands of miles away, but I
knew that she had the skill and the knowledge to help me from a distance. I did not know the exact
time and day when she performed the healing, but I did experience significant changes in my body
and state of mind during that week. I felt more relaxed, less tense in my shoulders and back, and I was
able to focus more on the present moment instead of worrying about the future. I attribute these
improvements to my friends distant healing, as well as my own intention to heal.
In my apprenticeship with Grandfather Jaguar, the Mayan shaman I mentioned in the introduction to
this book, I learned that healing can only happen when there are two willing people involved in the
process. The recipient must have a sincere desire to heal, and the practitioner must have the intention
to help and heal. The recipient always receives more than he or she asks for in the healing,
Grandfather told me. This was certainly true in the distant healing that I received from my friend: I
benefited more than I had expected, and my life gradually improved as a result.
Distant healing using The STAR Method is a simple, subtle, and powerful technique that can be
helpful when you have a friend or family member who is sick, injured, or going through a hard time.
You can help in an effective and practical way with distant healing: You can channel healing energy to
a specific geographical area where an event is taking place, or to a group of people, animals, or
plants in any location, or to a specific person. By offering distant healing with a sincere intention to
help another living being, you are healing yourself, too.
Instructions
First, stand or sit in a relaxed, comfortable position. Relax your body, shoulders, and hands beside
you or on your lap. Take a few deep breaths. You can choose to offer a full treatment session or a
short treatment session, depending on how much time you have available for the distant healing.
Next, imagine that the person or animal is physically lying in front of you, and you are on his or her
right-hand side. Take time to picture the person or animal as he or she actually looks: Include facial
features, body shape and size, and other unique identifying features like skin tone, hair color, and the
sound of the persons voice.
State out loud the person or animals name and your intention to offer distant healing. For example,
[Persons name], I am now going to offer you distant healing. It is my intention to help you [state the
reason for the session; for example, relieve pain, relax, alleviate stress, etc.]
Now, perform the thirty hand positions that are presented in this book (Module 2). The difference is
that instead of physically placing your hands on the persons body, you are simply holding your
hands in each one of the thirty positions, imagining that the person is actually there, receiving your
therapeutic touch.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax. You may close your eyes or keep them open, imagining that your
hands are making contact with the persons body. 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. 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.
Notice the sensations and flow of energy in your hands as you perform the distant healing. You may
wish to take notes on a piece of paper of your observations. (You can always verify your perceptions
with the person later, if you can or wish to, but in some cases, this may not always possible). Remain
sensitive to the flow of energy and how it shifts throughout the course of your therapy session. Stay
focused on your intention to help and heal: Remember that the person or animal to whom you are
sending healing energy is able to receive direct therapeutic benefit from a distant healing.
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.
After you perform a distant healing session using The STAR Method, you may notice that you feel
more relaxed, alert, and in an improved mental and emotional state. You may notice that you receive
direct benefits in return, like feeling happier, lighter, joyful, and more energetic. Universal life force
energy is limitless and expansive: The power of healingthe fruit of loveknows no boundaries.
The Full-Color Spectrum Model of The STAR Method
In Module 2 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 3-7 of The STAR Method, this full-color spectrum model will be expanded to include
other important information, tools, and techniques.
If you would like to pre-order the next book in this series, please click here.

The STAR Method Full Treatment Session


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. Jensen, E. (1998). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexander, VA: Association for
Curriculum Development.
2. Carroll, C., & Kimata, L. (2000). Partner yoga: making contact for physical, emotional, and
spiritual growth. Rodale, Inc.
3. Montagu, A. (1986). Touching: the human significance of the skin. 3rd ed., 1986, New York:
Harper and Row.
4. Dennison, P. E., & Dennison, G. E. (1994). Brain gym (Professionals ed. rev.), California: Edu
Kinesthetics, Inc.
5. 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
6. Williams, P.K. (2014). The STAR (Module 1): Self-Healing with Therapeutic Touch. eBook
available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PNWTGBY
7. McPherson, G. (2014, November 11). Climate-change summary and update [Blog post].
Retrieved from http://guymcpherson.com/climate-chaos/
8. 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.
9. 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).
10. Williams, K., & Poel, E.W. (2006). Stress Management for Special Educators: The SelfAdministered Tool for Awareness and Relaxation (STAR). TEACHING Exceptional Children
11. Arzu, A. (2014). Healing the healers: who we are [Essay]. Retrieved from
http://arzumountainspirit.com/who_we_are
12. Davidson-Rada, M., & Davidson-Rada, J. (1993). The rainbow model of health as ongoing
transformation. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 11(1), 42-55.
13. Frawley, D. (1996). Ayurveda and the mind: the healing of consciousness. Twin Lakes, WI:
Lotus Press.
14. Shang, C. (2001). Emerging paradigms in mind-body medicine. The Journal of Alternative
& Complementary Medicine, 7(1), p. 83.
15. Krieger, D. (1986). The therapeutic touch: how to use your hands to help or heal. New York:
Prentice Hall Press.
16. 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.
17. Wardell, D.W., & Weymouth, K.F. (2004). Review of studies of healing touch. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 36 (2), p. 154.
18. McClure, V. (2000). Infant massage: a handbook for loving parents. 3rd ed., New York:
Bantam Books.
19. University of Miami Medical School Touch Research Institute (2014). Research at TRI
[Report]. Retrieved from http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/Research.html
20. Montagu, A. (1986). Touching: the human significance of the skin. 3rd ed., 1986, New York:
Harper and Row.
21. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2014). OrthoInfo: Your connection to expert
orthopaedic information [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org
22. Goodman, S. (1990). The book of Shiatsu: the healing art of finger pressure. New York:
Avery Publishing Group, Inc.
23. Stenger, V. (2014). Energy medicine [Essay]. Retrieved from
http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/Medicine/EnergyMed.html
24. Rowland, A.Z. (2010). The complete book of traditional Reiki. Rochester, Vermont: Healing
Arts Press.
25. Benson, H. (1975). The relaxation response. New York: Morrow.
26. Brady, R. (2004). Schooled in the moment: Introducing mindfulness to students and
professionals. Independent School, 64(1), p. 84.
27. Liungman, C.G. (1991). Dictionary of symbols. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
28. Matthews, B. (1978). The Herder symbol dictionary. Wilmette IL: Chiron Publications.
29. Cirlot, J.E. (1971). A dictionary of symbols. London: Routledge.
thirty. ibid.
31. Astin, J.A., et al. (2000)., The efficacy of distant healing: a systematic review of
randomized trials. American Society of Internal Medicine, 132, p. 907.
References
Altshuler, L. (2004). Balanced healing: combining modern medicine with safe and effective
alternative therapies. Washington: Harbor Press.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2014). OrthoInfo: Your connection to expert
orthopaedic information [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org
Arzu, A. (2014). Healing the healers: who we are [Essay]. Retrieved from
http://arzumountainspirit.com/who_we_are
Astin, J.A., et al. (2000)., The efficacy of distant healing: a systematic review of randomized
trials. American Society of Internal Medicine, 132, p. 907.
Benson, H. (1975). The relaxation response. New York: Morrow.
Billingsley B.S. (1993). Teacher retention and attrition in special and general education: A
critical review of the literature. Journal of Special Education, 27, 137-174.
Boe, E. E., Bobbitt, S. A., & Cook, L. H. (1997). Whither didst thou go? Reassignment,
migration, and attrition of special and general education professionals from a national
perspective. Journal of Special Education, thirty, 371-389.
Borg, M., Riding, R., & Falzon, J. (1991). Stress in teaching: A study of occupational stress and
its determinants, job satisfaction and career commitment among primary school professionals.
Educational Psychology, 11, 59-75.
Brady, R. (2004). Schooled in the moment: Introducing mindfulness to students and
professionals. Independent School, 64(1), 82-87.
Brown, S., & Nagel, L. (2004). Preparing future professionals to respond to stress: Sources and
solutions. Action in Teacher Education, (26)1, 148-156.
Bucci, T. (2003). Techology in teacher education. Action in Teacher Education, 24(4), 1-73.
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.
Carroll, C., & Kimata, L. (2000). Partner yoga: making contact for physical, emotional, and
spiritual growth. Rodale, Inc.
Cirlot, J.E. (1971). A dictionary of symbols. London: Routledge.
Darling-Hammond, L. (2001). The challenge of staffing our schools. Educational Leadership,
58(8), 12-18.
Davidson-Rada, M., & Davidson-Rada, J. (1993). The rainbow model of health as ongoing
transformation. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 11(1), 42-55.
Deckro, G.R., Ballinger, K.M., & Hoyt, M. (2002). The evaluation of a mind/body intervention
to reduce psychological distress and perceived stress in college students. Journal of American
College Health, 50(6), 281-297.
Dennison, P. E., & Dennison, G. E. (1994). Brain gym (Professionals ed. rev.), California: Edu
Kinesthetics, Inc.
Embich, J.L. (2001). The relationship of secondary special education professionals roles and
factors that lead to professional burnout. Teacher Education and Special Education, (24)1, 5869.
Frawley, D. (1996). Ayurveda and the mind: the healing of consciousness. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus
Press.
Goodman, S. (1990). The book of Shiatsu: the healing art of finger pressure. New York: Avery
Publishing Group, Inc.
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
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Hastings, R.P., & Brown, T. (2002). Coping strategies and the impact of challenging behaviors
on special educators burnout. Mental Retardation (40)2, 148-156.
Jensen, E. (1998). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexander, VA: Association for Curriculum
Development.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face
stress, pain, and illness. New York: Dell Publishing.
Klinger, J., & Vaughn, S. (2002). The changing roles and responsibilities of an LD specialist.
Learning Disability Quarterly, 25(1), 19-31.
Koehler, G. (2001). Stress management exercises for professionals and students. Strategies,
15(2), 7-10.
Kovalik, S., & Olsen, K. (1998). How emotions run us, our students, and our classrooms.
NASSP Bulletin, 82(598), 29-37.
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Books.
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Wardell, D.W., & Weymouth, K.F. (2004). Review of studies of healing touch. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 36 (2), 147-154.
Williams, K., & Poel, E.W. (2006). Stress Management for Special Educators: The SelfAdministered Tool for Awareness and Relaxation (STAR). TEACHING Exceptional Children

World Health Organization (2014). Preventing suicide: A global imperative [First WHO World
Suicide Report]. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention
Zabel, R.H., & Zabel, M.K. (2001). Revisiting burnout among special education professionals:
do age, experience, and preparation still matter? Teacher Education and Special Education,
(24)2, 128-139.
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 2)

Hand Position 14: The Butterfly

Praise for The STAR Method

Radical Reform: Using Therapeutic Touch in Educational Settings

Introduction: Teachings from a Traditional Mayan Shaman

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.11

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

Benefits of Therapeutic Touch

Table 3: Physiological benefits of The STAR

small intestines, part

middle part of the

heart, blood that

throat, thyroid gland,

frontal lobes of the

left and right

Restoration of mental and

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, prickly, electrical, throbbing, pulsing, tingling

How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal Others

How to place your hands

Hand Position 1: Opening Affirmation/Prayer

Hand Position 2: Centering

Hand Position 3: Scanning the Body

Hand Position 4: The Spiral Symbol

Part 1: Draw a smaller, inner spiral.

Hand Position 5: The Chalice

Where in the body:

Hand Position 6: The V

Where in the body:

Kidney stones and kidney failure

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:

Cirrhosis of the liver

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

Part 1: Draw a plus sign.

Hand Position 13: The Lovers