Alexander Lowen American psychotherapist Date of Birth: 23.12.1910 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Contributions to Bioenergetic Analysis
3. Legacy and Impact of Bioenergetic Analysis
4. Author and Death

Alexander Lowen: American Psychotherapist and Founder of Bioenergetics

Alexander Lowen was an American psychotherapist and the creator of bioenergetics, a revolutionary method of therapy aimed at restoring the body to its natural spontaneity through a series of exercises. He was a student of Wilhelm Reich in the 1940s and 1950s in New York City. Alongside his colleague John Pierrakos, Lowen made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry. He played a key role in founding the International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis in New York City and served as its executive director for a period of time.

Early Life and Education

Alexander Lowen was born on December 23, 1910, in New York City. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in science and business from the City College of New York and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Brooklyn Law School. His interest in the mind-body connection grew during his college years, leading him to study character analysis under Wilhelm Reich. Inspired by Reich's work, Lowen pursued a career as a psychotherapist.

Contributions to Bioenergetic Analysis

In the 1940s and 1950s, Dr. Lowen worked in New York City, focusing on the development of body-oriented psychotherapy, now known as bioenergetic analysis. He spent a significant portion of his life in New Canaan, Connecticut, where he maintained a psychotherapy practice. In July 2006, Alexander suffered a stroke. In April 2007, he established the Alexander Lowen Foundation, which aimed to continue his life's work.

Legacy and Impact of Bioenergetic Analysis

Bioenergetic analysis is currently practiced not only in the United States but also in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and other countries. This revolutionary method of psychiatry combines psychoanalytic processes with the intentional work of the patient's body. Bioenergetic analysis helps individuals overcome internal conflicts through bodywork. Lowen, building upon Sigmund Freud's idea that internal conflict manifests as bodily tensions, developed a comprehensive system of techniques for working with the body.

Author and Death

Lowen authored numerous books, including "Depression and the Body," "Love, Sex and Your Heart," "The Language of the Body," and "Love and Orgasm." He passed away on October 28, 2008, at the age of 97.