About Ilse Middendorf
Ilse Middendorf was born 1910 in Frankenberg, Germany. She was mentored in her early years by many of the prominent somatic innovators of her place and time. Encouraged by extensive support and recognition of her talents, she advanced her approach to breath in her community in Germany before, during and after World War II even when the physical location for her school had been destroyed during the war. Indeed, her lifetime devotion to breath always brought forth new discoveries, which she continued to share with the world even up to her death at age 98.
She had a keen interest in Music and Art and taught at the University for Music and Fine Art in Berlin. In 1965 she founded and directed the Institute for the Experienced Breath (Erfahrbaren Atem), which continues to train Middendorf practitioners today. She trained hundreds of breath teachers, and her students are currently teaching all over the world, from Australia to United States. Her son, Helge Langguth founded the Ilse Middendorf Institute in Beerfelden, Germany.
There are several characteristics about her work that distinguish her from others who call themselves breath practitioners. These are often facts that may seem obvious but are generally overlooked. Some of these principles are:
1) The organs of our bodies are all touched in some way by breath movement, and the health and maintenance of the organs are intrinsically linked to breath movement.
2) Our circulatory systems are intimately linked to breath and the movement our breath. This includes not just the oxygen/lung system but the heart/blood and the lymphatic system.
3) Breath nurtures our emotional states, our physical health, our sense of connection with the universe, our autonomous sense of self and our neurological and metabolic chemistry.
4) The breath has its own system with which we must learn to interact cooperatively in order for it to function at its best.