Footbinding

Shirley Ma provides a Jungian perspective on the Chinese tradition of footbinding and considers how it can be used as a metaphor for the suffering of women and the repression of the feminine, as well as a symbol for hope, creativity and spiritual transformation.

Drawing on personal history, popular myths, literature, and work with clients, Footbinding discusses how modern women still symbolically find their feet bound through this ancient practice. Detailed case studies from Western and Asian women demonstrate how Jungian analysis can loosen these psychological bindings allowing the client to reconnect with the feminine archetype, discover their own identity and take control of their own destiny.


This original book will be of great interest to Jungian analysts looking for a new perspective. It will also be of interest to anyone studying Chinese culture and psychology.

Shirley Ma holds the distinction of being the only Chinese Jungian Analyst trained in Zurich. Born in Hong Kong, Ma received her Diploma in Analytical Psychology (Ph.D. equivalent) from the C.G. Jung Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, after earning two degrees from the University of Toronto, a B.A. (Honours) in sociology and psychology, and a Master of Science in urban and regional planning. She has been in private practice as a Jungian Psychoanalyst since 1986, first in Zurich, then Toronto and currently Hong Kong.

As a teacher, Shirley has served as the Senior Training Analyst on the faculty of the Toronto Analyst Training Program. Currently, she is training analyst and faculty member of both the C.G. Jung Institute and International School of Analytical Psychology in Zurich, Switzerland. She is also honorary assistant professor in psychology at the University of Hong Kong and has lectured in the departments of psychiatry, behavioural health and social work. She founded Jung Centre Hong Kong, a forum for analytic training in Asia.

Product Details
Footbinding
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (January 27, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0415485061
ISBN-13: 978-0415485067