Body Heals Itself

EMILY A. FRANCIS (St. Johns Creek, GA) has worked in corporate wellness and as an aerobic director, kickboxing instructor, and yoga instructor. She holds a gold medal in the US Open in Tai Chi Form. She also holds certifications from several massage therapy schools and is the author of Stretch Therapy (Blue River Press, 2013). www.EmilyAFrancisBooks.com

"Readers interested in holistic treatments and therapies will find this a solid reference."—Library Journal"Emily Francis' work is an important offering in the maturation of the emotional body. I believe the future of the planet depends on books like hers."—Katie Silcox, New York Times bestselling author of Healthy Happy Sexy"[The Body Heals Itself features] new awareness and understanding of what our bodies have to teach us and, most importantly, how we can become masterful listeners."—Thom Rutledge, psychotherapist and author of Embracing Fear and The Self-Forgiveness Handbook"The Body Heals Itself is a fascinating read. It takes us into the emotions and deep wisdom of our body in surprising ways. This book gives us tools to understand this hidden part of ourselves—one that may have formally been an acquaintance now becomes an intimate friend."—Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman, psychologist and author of The Book of Sacred Baths"Emily unravels the art of touch and its ties to our deeply held emotions with well-oiled grace. Inspire and be released—one muscle at a time."—Micah A. Howard MD, CHt, integrative and functional healthcare practitioner, board certified family physician, master clinical hypnotherapist, and CEO of Invested Healer, LLC"Emily is a highly skilled and effective therapist ... I highly recommend this book to all athletes and anyone looking to know the body in a more conscious and meaningful way."—Lara Sturm, USA Powerlifting National Champion and American record holder"[Emily Francis] has done her homework in talking with many experts in the field. The materials here are the start of a great new field of study and it makes me want to learn more."—Craig Marker, PhD, Chair, Mercer University Clinical Medical Psychology"Emily Francis allows any residual perceptions of the mind and body in isolation to evaporate. She, literally, merges the concepts of the emotional being and the muscular system that supports, protects, and propels the body. She effectively integrates Eastern and Western medicine, breaking down walls of misunderstanding."—Sara Raiser, MD, CMT

• ContentsIntroduction: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle: Holistic Healing and the Emotional Muscle Body | 1Part I: The Connection between Emotions and Our MusclesChapter 1: Muscles, Memory, Emotions, and the Link | 15Chapter 2: The Emotional, Mental, and Energetic Body | 29Chapter 3: Emotional Release and Energy Work | 47Part II: Emotional Component for Each Muscle GroupChapter 4: The Back—Your Storehouse for Betrayal, Protection, and Support | 67Chapter 5: The Glutes—Your Storehouse for Aggravation and Suppression | 85Chapter 6: The Legs—Your Storehouse for Moving Forward or Staying Stuck | 93Chapter 7: The Abdominal Muscles, Diaphragm, and the Psoas—Your Storehouse for Where the Real Vulnerability Lives | 123Chapter 8: The Arms, Shoulders, and Hands—Your Storehouse for Embracing Love and Claiming Vitality | 137Chapter 9: The Chest—Your Storehouse for What’s at the Heart of the Matter | 155Chapter 10: The Head, Face, and Jaws—Your Storehouse for Gaining Clarity and a Wider Vision | 163Chapter 11: The Neck—Your Storehouse for Stress, Flexibility, Awareness, and Claiming Your Life | 175Chapter 12: Putting It All Together to Unlock Your Healing Potential | 191Appendix A: Additional Tools to Try: Cleanse, Release, Ground, and Empower | 203Appendix B: Additional Modalities to Try: Various Offerings on Avenues to Healing | 219 Appendix C: Collective Responses from a Survey of Other Health and Bodywork Professionals | 241Glossary: Terms and Healing Modalities | 245Bibliography | 253Index | 255