Hakomi is a mindfulness-based, body-centered approach to self-discovery, first developed by Ron Kurtz in the 1970s. It brings together Western psychology with the mindfulness and non-violence principles of Eastern philosophy, working with the body as much as the mind.
The word itself comes from a Hopi phrase that asks, essentially, Who are you? Hakomi is sometimes described as “assisted self-study.” Rather than being told what’s true about you, you’re guided to slow down and notice your own experience directly — a sensation, a reaction, a belief you didn’t know you were carrying — and let that experience show you what’s actually there.
A few of the principles that shape how it works:
- Mindfulness — observing your inner experience, gently and without judgment.
- Loving Presence — the main ingredient for successful transformation
- Non-violence — meeting whatever arises with compassion rather than force.
- Organicity — trusting that you already have what you need to grow, at your own pace.
- Unity — recognizing that mind, body, emotion, and relationship are never really separate.
- Mind-Body Integration — understanding that real change is felt in the body, not only understood in the mind.
Why it’s at the center of my own work
If anything has changed my life, it’s this work — first as a client, and then as a practitioner. I became a certified Hakomi practitioner in the late 1990s, and it’s stayed at the center of everything I do ever since.
I write more about my own path on About, and about how I actually use Hakomi in sessions on How I Work — but the short version is this: it doesn’t ask you to believe anything new about yourself. It asks you to notice what’s already true.
If something here resonates and you’re curious to explore it for yourself, I’d love to talk.
Book a Discovery Session
If you find yourself with some persistent and nagging issues that just won’t budge, I’d invite you to try this unique approach and find your way out of the maze. You can sign up for a free 30 min discovery session with me to explore what kind of support you need and how I can assist you.
