About Ritual Postures

Renowned anthropologist Felicitas Goodman discovered that the artwork of indigenous people worldwide sometimes convey body postures that can be used for religious rituals. Using a simple method, these ritual postures appear to activate the human nervous system’s natural capacity for reorganizing perceptions to include expanded states of awareness. The method is linked with deep relaxation, improved immune function, and the development of the pre-frontal cortex of the brain, the site of insight, integration, and moral maturity. Dr. Goodman established the Cuyamungue Institute as the center for preserving this remarkable discovery through workshops and archives.

Belinda is the former President of the Cuyamungue Institute and is now the International Training Director. Her two books, Ecstatic Body Postures: An Alternate Reality Workbook (Bear & Company, 1995) and The Ecstatic Experience: Healing Postures for Spirit Journeys (Bear & Company, 2009) serve as essential material for learning The Cuyamungue Method. Ecstatic Body Postures has been translated into German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Polish. Both books are available at many bookstores.

Ancient Ritual Postures Oracle Deck and Companion Book

To find your personal connection with the Ritual Postures, discover the ANCIENT RITUAL POSTURE CARDS. This richly beautiful deck of 52 cards conveys on each card a posture from one of six categories: Ritual, Healing, Divination, Metamorphosis, Spirit Journey and Initiation. A small instruction book accompanies each deck of cards to guide you in using them for meditation and oracle as well as the Cuyamungue Method for using them in ritual practice.

Ancient Ritual Postures Book

Belinda teaches workshops based on The Cuyamungue Method throughout the United States and internationally, and trains Certified Facilitators and Regional Instructors in the United States, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, England, Israel, and Portugal. A certification training program for practitioners and instructors is offered through The Cuyamungue Institute.