Energy Healing and Brennan Healing Science

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is Brennan Healing Science?
Brennan Healing Science is a specific set of specialized holistic healing modalities including hands-on healing techniques for working with the human energy field. These techniques were developed by Dr. Barbara Brennan, a former NASA physicist who founded the Barbara Brennan School of Healing  (BBSH) in 1982.  Dr. Brennan has been researching the human energy field for more than 30 years.  Her work has resulted in the development of Brennan Healing Science® – a holistic healing modality based on the Human Energy-Consciousness System and its relationship to health and disease.  This work combines high-sense perception skills and hands-on energy healing techniques to assist individuals with their personal process of healing. This  system works with an individual's energy consciousness system to create physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. It touches every aspect of a person’s life to improve the quality of life.

Dr. Brennan is the author of several books, including the best-selling Hands of Light and Light Emerging, textbooks that describe the structure and functioning of the human energy field and its relation to physical health.  These publications are considered classics in the field of complementary medicine. She is also the founder of the Barbara Brennan Center for Research and Healing, a not-for-profit research organization.

What is the Barbara Brennan School of Healing?

Dr. Brennan is the founder and President of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing® (BBSH) in the United States and Barbara Brennan International, Inc. which operates the Barbara Brennan School of Healing EUROPE. The Barbara Brennan School of Healing is a specialized college for the study of hands-on energy healing and personal transformation. BBSH is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education to grant both Professional Studies Diplomas and Bachelor of Science Degrees in Brennan Healing Science^®, the specialized form of holistic healthcare taught at BBSH. 

Celebrating its 20^th year, BBSH is the largest in its field with over 600 students from over 40 countries and 90 faculty members per year.  BBSH is well known and highly respected in the alternative healing community as one of the world's most rigorous training programs in energy healing.  The world's premier institute of hands-on healing and personal transformation, BBSH is licensed by the Florida State Commission of Independent Education and has just received college status.

What is the Human Energy Field?
The concept of the "Human Energy Field" (sometimes called the "aura") has roots in non-Western healing traditions. It is the field of universal life energy surrounding our bodies. This energy flows through "chakras," or energy centers, located throughout the body. There are seven major chakras, each of which relates to certain body areas, organs and endocrine glands. A balanced, clear flow of energy through all the chakras is associated with overall health, which includes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. If energy flow is blocked or diminished, this can indicate the possibility of disease in the area of the blockage. For example, patients with cardiovascular problems have been observed to have blockages of energy flow through the heart chakra. Energy flow through the chakras can be measured, which is part of how a holistic healer assesses a client's energy field.

What is Energy Healing?
"Energy Healing" describes various holistic healing approaches that seek to balance the human energy field. Many types of energy healing work draw upon non‑Western healing traditions, which teach that physical health and well-being result from maintaining a balanced flow of life energy prana "chi," " ki "bioenergy," etc.). Awareness of the benefits of energy healing is now increasing in the U.S., where it is currently at frontier of holistic health care options. Some types of energy work growing in the U.S. in recent years include acupuncture, Brennan Healing Science, Reiki, reflexology, and polarity. Many structural techniques for manipulating body tissue, such as massage, chiropracty, cranio-sacral work, or Rolfing also work with stimulating flow through the body's nervous system and energy centers. Some types of exercise, including yoga, Tai Chi and Chi Gong also work with balancing energy flow to achieve a sense of integration and relaxation while promoting flexibility and health. All of these techniques could be described as "holistic" approaches that link emotional, mental and spiritual health to physical well-being.

What is the link between Energy Healing and health?
In the energy healing model, health results from a free flow of life energy. Illness of body, mind or spirit occurs when we are out of balance or have blockages of energy flow. When energy flow is blocked or diminished over a long time period, the possibility of disease increases in the area of the blockage. The hands-on techniques of energy healing can help balance, clear, and charge your energy field. They can also help reduce energetic blocks that can lead to disease, and enhance your body's natural healing potential. 

The experience of energy healing invites you to explore an expanded view of reality, one where we are more than just our physical bodies, we are beings of energy and consciousness. In this holistic view, a free flow of energy yields physical health, a sense of well-being, a feeling of purpose and joy in living.

What Kind of Training do Brennan Healing Science Practitioners Receive?
Brennan Healing Science practitioners are all graduates of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing.  BBSH offers a 4-year professional certification program in holistic energy healing as well as a bachelor’s of science degree.  Graduation requirements currently include at least 900 classroom study hours, over 100 documented client sessions, a senior thesis, oral case presentation to the faculty, university level Anatomy and Physiology courses, and a minimum of 72 sessions of personal therapy. Tuition, room, board, and required outside training and therapy typically total over $40,000 to complete the undergraduate program.  There are over 1,200 graduates worldwide from over 40 countries.

In addition to comprehensive instruction in these hands-on healing techniques, BBSH® training includes anatomy and physiology, body psychotherapy, psychological process, deep self-introspection, High Sense Perception, the integration of the creative arts with the healing spirit, and the development of professional presence. Meditation and personalized spiritual practices, in which all religious persuasions are welcome, complete the full spectrum of the healing curriculum.

Additionally, BBSH offers a 2-year graduate study program for those graduates who wish to train as teachers. Upon successful completion graduates may get invited to be faculty members in the school.

What kinds of conditions can be helped by Brennan Healing Science Energy Healing?
The effectiveness of energy healing and other alternative and holistic treatments is currently being clinically studied by the National Institute of Health. Although it has not yet been scientifically proven, we believe that energy healing can complement traditional medical treatments for a variety of illnesses as well as being used to reduce stress and improve general well being.

Many clients find energy healing helpful for chronic conditions or for working through life transitions. Brennan Healing Science work is intended to complement other treatments you may be receiving, including traditional medicine. Brennan Healing Science practitioners have worked with clients who have had a variety of symptoms, medical conditions or procedures, including, but certainly not limited to:

What is a Brennan Healing Science Session like?
A typical Brennan Healing Science session can last from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the client's needs and the type of work done. During this time, you receive completely individual and personalized treatment. Usually some time is spent talking at the beginning of the session to identify the areas you wish to focus on for that meeting.

After talking about your concerns, your healer will often move into doing some hands‑on energy work. For hands‑on work, you will be lying down on a massage table, and you will remain fully clothed. Your BHS practitioner will touch the body lightly at specific energy points and/or in the area of the presenting complaint. If at any time touch feels uncomfortable to you, healers can also work with their hands above your body or even just holding your feet.

The effects of energy work are gentle but powerful, and they build over time. Ideally, you should try energy healing over a series of at least three sessions to evaluate its results for you.

The experience of receiving energy work is individual to each person. Many clients report an experience of deep relaxation when they receive energy healing‑you may even fall asleep. Some clients feel energized after a session, while some need time to rest further. You will get to know your own rhythm as you explore energy work over time.

How Do I Prepare for a Brennan Healing Science Session?
Your BHS practitioner will often have specific suggestions for you depending on the type of work you are doing, but generally, the following suggestions apply:

• Wear comfortable, loose clothing, since you will be lying down and your clothing should not bind or pull. Belts and any large jewelry may need to be removed. Synthetic fabrics, including nylon and polyester, can restrict energy flow; you may not want to wear them to your session if possible.
  

• If you are able, please do not take alcohol for 24 hours before a session and 24 hours afterwards.  Your body will be clearing toxins and alcohol in the system diminishes the body's ability to flush out other impurities. If you smoke or usually take caffeine, please notice if you need to reduce your intake before and after healing sessions you may be more sensitive to the stimulating effects of these substances.
  

• Drink a lot of water after your healing session. This helps the body to clear toxins released during energy balancing. If you feel you have released a lot of blocked material, we also recommend soaking in a bath with sea salt and baking soda mixture, or Batherapy salts for at least 20 minutes to help clear your energy field.
  

• If possible, schedule some time to relax and integrate after your session.
  

• Notice how your energy level changes when you have a session, it will be very personal to you. Part of energy work is learning to become attuned to your own energy patterns and what works best for you. Listen to your body and your intuition.

As with a face-to-face session, clients' experiences of long distance sessions can vary. Many recipients report a feeling of deep relaxation or even drift off to sleep. Others remain alert and report sensing the work being done during the session.