What is Somatics?

"Somatics is a field within bodywork and movement studies which emphasizes internal physical perception and experience. The term is used in movement therapy to signify approaches based on the soma, or "the body as perceived from within".  Wikipedia

​The term has become very popular and I am very excited about this! It is a general term used for one aspect of different healing methods. Somatic techniques may be used in bodywork, psychotherapy, dance, or spiritual practices.  Basically, noticing body sensations as opposed to ruminating thoughts in your head.

The Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, Hannah Somatics, and Trager Approach are the pioneer modalities that I am most familiar with.  They are all under the umbrella term of Somatic Re-education modalities. They all deal with similar concepts, approached a bit differently. They all help with awareness of self and that it he aspect of the approaches that is both healing and empowering. When we add someone else's experience to guide us, this only brings one's learnings even deeper because they have put time and attention to their own process. 

Somatic practices help to release muscular tension through gentle movement and specific awareness of how your muscles feel in various positions and movements. Any reason you may seek massage therapy, somatic bodywork/lessons can offer you solutions for those challenges, as well as add the self development component and you may find that this kind of approach reaches deeper than any amount of pressure can, and even lasts longer. Since the focus is to reach the nervous system, it changes patterns that created the tension in the first place. Gentle and deeply effective, that's a win-win!

If you are a person that could use more grounding, deep relaxation, chronic tension relief, and whole body integrated function, learning somatics will help you to move efficiently, love your body and do the activities you want to do again! Book a free consultation if you have questions.


***My favorite quotes from the pioneers mentioned in this article.***

“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.” 
 F.M Alexander 1869-1955 

“I am convinced that for every physical non-yielding condition there is a psychic counterpart in the unconscious mind to the degree of the physical manifestations.”   
Dr. Milton Trager  1908-1997

 “As we grow older, our bodies, and our lives, should continue to improve, right up until the very end. I believe that all of us, in our own hearts, feel that this is how life really should be lived.”  
Thomas Hannah 1928-1990