Words that Touch: How to Ask Questions Your Body Can Answer - 12 Essential 'Clean Questions' for Mind/Body Therapists

by Nicholas Pole

Overview

In this practical guide, Nick Pole explains the philosophy and practice of Clean Language, a simple and highly effective way to facilitate mind/body communication in bodywork therapy. He explains how to use language to get to the heart of a client's physical problem, to engage the mind in the process of the body, and to create somatic change.

Words that Touch provides compelling theoretical explanations and practical case studies to describe the importance of language and relationships in the practice of mind/body therapies. Practitioners of yoga, shiatsu, acupuncture, physiotherapy, The Feldenkrais Technique and more will find the guide transformative in increasing the connection with clients and developing their practice through language.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857012920
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	02/21/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Nick Pole has been a mind-body therapist for over 25 years, and discovered Clean Language after training in shiatsu and NLP. Nick is based in London.

Table of Contents

Part One. 1. 'A Long Way From Yourself'. 2. Why Clean Language? 3. Keeping It Clean and Why It Matters. 4. Three Clean Questions. 5. Clean Questions for a Cold Shoulder. 6. Letting Your Body Answer Back. 7. Mind, Matter and Metaphor. 8. Embodied Language, Embodied Mind. 9. How Does It Work and Where Does It Come From? 10. The 12 Core Clean Language Questions. 11. The Client's Goals - What Would You Like To Have Happen? 12. What Happens When You Ask the Outcome Question. 13. A Clean Conversation. 14. A Clean Conversation - What Did You Learn? Part Two. 15. The Science Behind Clean Language. 16. Focusing the Mind on the Body. 17. From Body to Brain. 18. The Divided Brain. Part Three. Part 3.1 Introduction. 19. How To Structure A Session. 20. Sorting Out the Rubik Cube. 21. Exploring the Landscape. 22. Taking Less of the Load. Part 3.2 A Clean Approach to Trauma. 23. The Tidal Wave of Trauma. 24. Angry Red Blotches. 25. I Will Die Too. 26. Dropping the Baby. Part 3.3 Working with Embodied Double Binds. 27. The Panther in the Cage. 28. The Man Who Deserved to Die. 29. The Root of the Problem That Causes the Pain. Part 3.4 How Clean Should I Be? 30. Clean and the Therapeutic Relationship . 31. Clean Touch. 32. Approaching Childbirth with Clean Touch. Part 3.5 Interviews with Practitioners Who Use Clean Language. 1. Acupuncture. 2. CranioSacral Therapy. 3. Yoga Nidra. 4. Yoga and the Outcome Question. 5. Physiotherapy. 6. Teaching Tai Chi with Clean Questions. 7. Homeopathy. 8. Clean Language, Feldenkrais and Music. Part 3.6 A Final Word. References. Index.

Editorial Reviews

I had the sense as I was reading, that I was sitting at the feet of a great teacher: the body. Words That Touch provides an insightful, clear and practical guide for accessing somatic intelligence. A profoundly helpful book.

Rosalie Dores

Nicholas Pole offers bodyworkers a new skill in this clear and elegant book, showing that the words we use directly affect our clients' Qi as much as our touch. With simple "clean" questions we can help them reach into and resolve the origin of their own condition. A valuable resource.

Carola Beresford-Cooke

For all their skills in working with the body and its energies, few complementary practitioners pay careful attention to the language they use with their patients. With the help of this clear and compelling book they will be better able to practise the mind body medicine which they espouse.

John Hamwee

Nick Pole offers great techniques that can transform a consultation, making it easier for a client to be clearer about what they want. Some great case examples contextualise theory in practice, and the book makes for an informative and interesting read.

International Therapist, Autumn 2017 - David Feakes

Nick Pole has performed a real service by showing how Clean Language is something everyone can use. It is a pleasure to see my late friend David Grove's work receiving such practical explication and application. This is a how-to manual suitable for anyone who wants to be better at working with the wisdom within each of us.

Ian McDermott

At first read, I felt this book about the concept of clean language would be one I would refer to as and when I needed. But once I understood it more, I was hooked. I found it was well written and free flowing. I can see that it will give empowerment to clients during treatment sessions and beyond.

International Therapist, Autumn 2017 - Gillian Vincent

Nick has produced this excellent book presenting his approach. It provides not only a clear and concise introduction to the world of Clean Language - and how it links with bodywork - but it also provides clear references to the theory behind this way of working. I felt the book to be an excellent introduction and guide to both the practical use and the theory of Clean Language and 'how to ask questions your body can answer'.

Shiatsu Society Journal - Adan Hellinger MRSS(T)

Nick Pole has written an important and convincing book. Spoken language and body language have drifted apart. Words that Touch introduces how to make dialogue an integral part of bodywork. Without any doubt many therapists and teachers of bodywork will find inspiration and practical guidance in it.

Peter den Dekker

Might be the best book on Clean Language so far...The practical examples are excellent, with transcripts that aren't boring or baffling. It provides a fascinating insight into how Nick thinks, as a shiatsu practitioner.

JudyRees.co.uk - Judy Rees

Words that Touch gently balances the Ying and Yang of language and body, theory and practice with hundreds of stories, examples and personal anecdotes. Nick Pole's delightful book shows how Clean Language questions can transcend technique to become a way of being with another person's body and mind.

James Lawley & Penny Tompkins