It is a natural part of the universal human endeavor to understand ourselves, to free ourselves of the inevitable suffering that follows from ignorance of who we are and “how the world hangs together”. It is the path taken by all who work to go beyond the half-remembered hurts and failed beliefs that linger unexamined in the mind and body, hurts that act through barely conscious habits and reactions. Hakomi is a part of that heroic labor, a cousin to sitting meditation, to singing bowls and chanting monks.
~ Ron Kurtz
More about Ron
What is Hakomi?
The Hakomi Method is an experiential method of bodymind inquiry based on using a state of mind known as mindfulness for assisted self-study. The method is founded on the idea that “consciousness is choice” and that habitual behaviours are generated by beliefs, attitudes, and past experiences that are mostly outside of consciousness. By bringing into awareness the ideas that inform how we live and how we relate to others, it becomes possible to make changes in the direction of healthier living and happier relationships. The point of the method is to reduce unnecessary suffering.
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The Hakomi Education Network
The Hakomi Education Network (HEN) is an international organization dedicated to preserving, developing and teaching Hakomi as it was created by Ron Kurtz, author of The Hakomi Way: Consciousness & Healing (2021).
HEN’s presence is represented by a website. We are deeply connected in our intention as an international community to teach the principles and practice of Hakomi throughout the work, each of us sharing our love of the unique spirit and expression of this work.
HEN trainings emphasize experiential learning and are characterized by demonstrations and experiential exercises. All HEN trainings focus on using Hakomi to support participants to cultivate the skills and qualities to become a healing presence in a variety of settings, including but not exclusively psychotherapy. We are creating practitioners who can bring this quality of healing presence to any relationship.
HEN’s training sites feature events, both in-person and online, throughout the world, including North and South America, Europe, Baltics, Russia, Middle East and Asia. Each training team enjoys the flexibility to teach Hakomi and offer Hakomi events in formats and training styles that highlight the strengths of the trainers and meet the needs of the students.
In Ron’s words:
“A Hakomi practitioner must be more than just someone who knows a method. The practitioner must be someone whose very presence can be healing, a person who has all the qualities needed to support emotional healing in another. HEN trainings reflect and embody this emphasis. We emphasize presence, warmth and kindness and we accept people into HEN trainings regardless of their academic background. They need only be motivated to wholeheartedly pursue the difficult work of understanding themselves and to help others to do the same.”
Hakomi, A Brief History
Ron Kurtz is the original developer of the Hakomi Method. He began leading workshops and trainings in the mid-1970’s. He led the first training in the Hakomi Method in 1977. In 1981 he founded the Hakomi Institute.
For his work developing the Hakomi Method and the Refined Hakomi Method, Ron received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The US Association of Body Psychotherapy. He began to describe his work as Mindfulness-Based, Assisted Self-Discovery. In July of 2008, he received an honorary doctorate from the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.
Ron published three books in English and three others in Japanese. The first book was The Body Reveals, written with Hector Prestera, M.D., was published in 1976. It was about reading the body for psychological information and it contained numerous photos and illustrations. His second book, Body-Centered Psychotherapy, published in 1991, described the Hakomi Method. The third was Grace Unfolding, written with Greg Johanson. Ron has also written many essays, handbooks, and manuals on training.
In recent years, the method has been refined and expanded. It is now called, The Refined Hakomi Method. This version is taught by trainers and teachers of the Hakomi Education Network (Int’l) whose trainings are available in the U.S, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Argentina, England and Ireland.
​After leaving the Hakomi Institute, Ron Kurtz founded Ron Kurtz Trainings, Inc. and with trainers Donna Martin, Bob Milone, Flint Sparks, Georgia Marvin, Jeff Chernove and several others founded the Hakomi Education Network (International).