Interview with Corey Hess: Non-Directed Body Movement as a Rebellious and Creative Healing Practice

Corey Hess is a a structural integrator and movement educator in the Seattle area. Corey spent his twenties doing intense internal healing and embodiment work in a zen monastery in Japan, and came back to the US with unique insights to share about healing, pain, meditation, movement, and the internal energetic process. Originally trained as a Structural Integrator, Corey went on to study SourcePoint Therapy®, Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation. These advanced modalities allow him to effectively treat a broad spectrum of issuesWhile in university, Corey first encountered Non-Directive Body Movement, a practice that I stumbled into in 2019 without knowing what it was. I was so excited to talk to Corey because of his work teaching NDBM because I had years of questions pent up with no-one to bounce them off of. By far, NDBM has been a movement “practice” that has been the most effective, respectful, and honest way to deeply connect with my body and being, in motion. In our conversation, Corey and I discuss:* His time studying in Japan* His relationship with Marilyn Beech, (NDBM teacher and (author of “Unexpected Results”)* Dr. Marvin Solit and the origins of Non-Directed Body Movement* What is NDBM, what can it do for you, and what is a class like?* The parallels between craniosacral therapy, osteopathic techniques, and NDBM* What is the role of deliberate exercises and stretching and where does NDBM fit into a movement practice?* How to consider working with traumas from the birth process, like C-sections, etc.* Is NDBM a form of meditation?And so much more. By the end of our conversation I felt inspired, like I’d met a kindred soul, and I was ready to book a flight to Seattle to hang out with Corey and have an in-person experience of one of his movement classes, which blend various other movement forms with NDBM. If you enjoy what Corey as to say and want to explore NDBM, get in touch with him and ask about his classes. He teaches 5x/week on Zoom and has a really wonderful global community of curious movement explorers. Want to get in touch with Corey?For info about Corey’s classes and retreats, GO HEREFollow Corey on Substack HEREFollow Corey in Instagram: @corehessSee Corey’s Youtube channel HERETo contact Corey directly:[email protected]://coreyhessbodytherapy.comHere’s a Little More About Corey Hess:I live on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, with my wife and three daughters, where I teach Meditation/Qigong and see clients for manual therapy. After fifteen years ripening and learning to communicate these insights through hands on touch therapy, teaching movement, and discussion, I now offer classes, workshops and private sessions, including classes in Qigong, Zhan Zhuang, non-directed body movement, and meditation instruction. I also run The Energy Collective, an International online group of committed practitioners. Most Importantly, I am a husband and a father to three beautiful daughters. Get full access to Movement Detectivery at monvolkmar.substack.com/subscribe