Alexander Lowen (December 23, 1910 – October 28, 2008) was an American physician and psychotherapist.

Life

A student of

Wilhelm Reich Wilhelm Reich ( , ; 24 March 1897 – 3 November 1957) was an Austrian Doctor of Medicine, doctor of medicine and a psychoanalysis, psychoanalyst, along with being a member of the second generation of analysts after Sigmund Freud. The author ...

in the 1940s and early '50s in New York, Lowen developed

bioenergetic analysis Body psychotherapy, also called body-oriented psychotherapy, is an approach to psychotherapy which applies basic principles of somatic psychology. It originated in the work of Pierre Janet, Sigmund Freud and particularly Wilhelm Reich who develope ...

, a form of mind-body

psychotherapy Psychotherapy (also psychological therapy, talk therapy, or talking therapy) is the use of psychological methods, particularly when based on regular personal interaction, to help a person change behavior, increase happiness, and overcome pro ...

, with his then-colleague,

John Pierrakos John Pierrakos (February 8, 1921 – February 1, 2001) was an American physician and psychiatrist. A student of Wilhelm Reich, he developed bioenergetic analysis, a form of mind-body psychotherapy, with his then-colleague Alexander Lowen (Decembe ...

(February 8, 1921 – February 1, 2001). He is also noted for developing the concept of bioenergetic grounding, one of the foundational principles of bioenergetic therapy. Lowen was the founder and former executive director of the International Institute for Bioenergetic Analysis in New York City. The IIBA now has over 1500 members and 54 training institutes worldwide. Born in New York City to Jewish immigrants, Lowen received a bachelor's degree in science and business from

City College of New York The City College of the City University of New York (also known as the City College of New York, or simply City College or CCNY) is a public university within the City University of New York (CUNY) system in New York City. Founded in 1847, Cit ...

, an

LL.B Bachelor of Laws ( la, Legum Baccalaureus; LL.B.) is an undergraduate law degree in the United Kingdom and most common law jurisdictions. Bachelor of Laws is also the name of the law degree awarded by universities in the People's Republic of Chi ...

and a J.S.D (a doctorate in law) from

Brooklyn Law School Brooklyn Law School (BLS) is a private law school in New York City. Founded in 1901, it has approximately 1,100 students. Brooklyn Law School's faculty includes 60 full-time faculty, 15 emeriti faculty, and a number of adjunct faculty. Brookly ...

. His interest in the link between the mind and the body developed during this time. He enrolled in a class on character analysis with Wilhelm Reich. After training to be a

therapist Therapist is a person who offers any kinds of therapy. Therapists are trained professionals in the field of any types of services like psychologists, social workers, counsellors, life coachers and others. They are helpful in counselling individuals ...

himself, Lowen moved to Switzerland to attend the

University of Geneva The University of Geneva (French: ''Université de Genève'') is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin as a theological seminary. It remained focused on theology until the 17th centu ...

. Lowen lived and practiced for the majority of his life in

New Canaan New Canaan () is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 20,622 according to the 2020 census. About an hour from Manhattan by train, the town is considered part of Connecticut's Gold Coast. The town is bounde ...

Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...

. He had a stroke in July 2006. The Alexander Lowen Foundation was founded in April 2007 to continue his legacy. Lowen died on October 28, 2008, at the age of 97. In 2007, Dr. Lowen established the Alexander Lowen Foundation, which is now directed by his son, Frederic Lowen.

Bibliography

Dr. Lowen authored 14 books as well as numerous articles and other professional abstracts. *''The Language of the Body'' (1958) *''Love and Orgasm'' (1965) *''The Betrayal of the Body'' (1967) *''Pleasure'' (1970) *''Depression and the Body: The Biological Basis of Faith and Reality'' (1972) *''Bioenergetics'' (1975) *''The Way to Vibrant Health: A Manual of Bioenergetic Exercises'', co-author Leslie Lowen (1977) *''Fear of Life'' (1980) *'' Narcissism: Denial of the True Self'' (1984) *''Love, Sex and Your Heart'' (1988) *''The Spirituality of the Body'' (1990) *''Joy'' (1995) *''Honoring the Body: The Autobiography of Alexander Lowen, M.D.'' (2004) *''The Voice of the Body'' (2005)

Notes

External links

#Th
Alexander Lowen Foundation
contains historical material
International Institute of Bioenergetic Analysis
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lowen, Alexander 1910 births 2008 deaths Body psychotherapy American psychotherapists American psychiatrists American psychology writers American male non-fiction writers American health and wellness writers Brooklyn Law School alumni City College of New York alumni University of Geneva alumni People from New Canaan, Connecticut Jewish scientists 20th-century American Jews Narcissism writers 21st-century American Jews

Life

Bibliography

See also

Notes

External links