Energy work is having a moment in Hollywood. From Gwyneth Paltrow to Prince Harry, a growing number of high-profile figures are turning to somatic healing practices to address everything from chronic pain to emotional stress. At the center of this trend is John Amaral, a former chiropractor and the creator of the Energy Flow Formula, a unique approach that blends bodywork, breathing exercises, and mindfulness.
Amaral, who has worked with clients across more than 50 countries, doesn’t see himself as offering a quick fix. “People come to me when they feel worn down, overwhelmed, stuck in the past, or stuck in the future,” he explained to ET. “It could be relationship stress, a creative slump, preparing for a professional sports game, or getting ready for a musical tour. It’s those who are looking to open their hearts and minds.”
His method, developed over 25 years, is rooted in the idea that unresolved physical, mental, and emotional tensions become stored patterns within the body, impacting the nervous system and our ability to regulate ourselves. “When we don’t resolve physical, mental, emotional, psychological, or chemical tensions, they become patterns stored somewhere in the body,” Amaral notes. He aims to bridge the gap between measurable physiological energy and the more subtle, less quantifiable aspects of energy flow.
A session with Amaral isn’t a typical massage. Clients are asked to lie comfortably on a massage table, dressed in loose clothing, in a space designed to promote calm – often featuring plants, crystals, and soothing music. But the touch itself is minimal. Amaral focuses on specific points, like the tailbone and neck, using verbal coaching, gentle snapping techniques, and even energy sprays alongside intentional hand movements.
The experience can be surprisingly varied. Julianne Hough’s experience, which went viral in 2020, was described as “The Exorcist-like,” but Amaral emphasizes that reactions are deeply individual. Some clients experience intense shaking and vibrations as stored energy releases, while others feel a sense of melting or thawing, becoming both heavy and buoyant simultaneously. Others may experience visual or auditory sensations, emotional releases, or a state of deep meditation.
“We have the capability to sense things that aren’t touching us,” Amaral explains. “If you’ve locked eyes with someone across a room and felt chemistry, or sensed you were being watched, nothing physically touched you, but your body still reacted. It can feel like magic.”
Beyond the immediate physical and emotional effects, Amaral’s work aims to foster a deeper connection to one’s own body and inner wisdom. He encourages clients to incorporate practices like yoga, Pilates, mindful movement, breathwork, and healthy eating into their daily routines to maintain a sense of balance and awareness. “Doing something that helps you tune into your body and reduce stress helps you listen to your inner yes,” he says. “Over time, you will feel more courageous to live authentically and own who you are.”
Amaral’s approach isn’t limited to one-on-one sessions in his Los Angeles studio. He offers a range of accessible options, including a free 7-day Ready, Set, Flow digital challenge, somatic energy training, one-day events, weekend retreats – with upcoming events scheduled for in Punta Mita, Mexico, and in Napa Valley, CA – and a comprehensive body-centered leadership program featuring live webinars and video content.
While tools like sage, crystals, and chanting can be supportive, Amaral believes the most powerful instrument for healing is self-awareness. He suggests tracking energy levels, engagement, and creativity on a scale of 1 to 10 to identify what contributes to well-being and what detracts from it. “Knowing yourself better is what healing is all about,” he concludes. “Your inner voice will get stronger and louder than everything outside, and you will get healthier because you’re making decisions for yourself.”
