Zero Balancing Research
I am often asked “What is Zero Balancing?” and give my quick elevator speech, talking about my love of this mind-body therapy which is performed fully clothed while lying on a massage table. The practitioner releases tension along the spine and key joints of the body. When clients get up from a session, they often tell me they feel good, more energized or balanced, and notice it takes less effort to move.
The Zero Balancing Touch Foundation just released a wonderful video (view here) which explains a basic overview of Zero Balancing (ZB) with beautiful images of ZB practitioners performing sessions. I feel relaxed just watching the video, because I know how that sensation feels in my own body.
In addition to general information on ZB, the video also shares exciting news from some ZB pilot studies and a recently published “4x4” research project involving a series of four ZB sessions performed by 4 different practitioners.
Investigating the Effects of Zero Balancing on the Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Dimensions of Wellness: A Phenomenological MIxed Methods Pilot Study “Based on the results of this study we conclude that Zero Balancing is an integrative, low cost, simply administered, holistic therapy with multiple benefits. We also suggest this body therapy, with its focus on skilled, conscious touch, does facilitate wellness in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of wellness.” (Rhodes, et al. 2021)
The best part of this video was hearing the testimonies from people who received ZB sessions, which are very similar to the kinds of comments I receive from my own clients. The Zero Balancing Touch Foundation is very interested in maintaining what they call a “Middle C” standard of performance for ZB practitioners, so that no matter who you receive a ZB from, you will always receive the same basic ZB protocol, performed with the basic ZB principles of interface touch and high personal regard.
I am excited to be a part of the ZB Teacher Training 5 group which met recently to begin our in-person training intensives. We are all refining our ZB Touch skills and learning how to give quality feedback to each other, so that we can all be at that “Middle C” standard. It has been a privilege to learn Zero Balancing from a group of highly skilled faculty, including Dr Fritz Smith, founder of Zero Balancing, who is still teaching at age 92.
Zero Balancing Teacher Training 5 in Tucson, AZ during June 2021: Row 1: Peter, Karine, Lauren, Lisa, Jennelle Row 2 with ZB Faculty: Michael Oruch, Mary Murphy, Dr Fritz Smith, Amanda King and Jim McCormick. Row 3: Beverly, Rhonda, Julie, Tara, Donna, SatCharn, Clare, Mary, Deanna, Misty, Jared, Sheila, Veronica and SarahElizabeth.
There are Zero Balancing practitioners located in several countries around the world. Information on finding practitioners in North America can be found at the Zero Balancing Health Association.
Rhoads, Misty L.; Murphy, Mary; Doucette, Michele; Gentile, Tom; Rhoads, Dylan; and Watson, Jacob (2021) "Investigating the Effects of Zero Balancing on the Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Dimensions of Wellness: A Phenomenological MIxed Methods Pilot Study," The International Journal of Zero Balancing and Transformative Touch: Vol. 1 : Iss. 1 , Article 11.
Available at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/ijzbtt/vol1/iss1/11
