Somatic Movement
All classes are currently online
The founder of Somatic Movement Education Thomas Hanna was a philosopher and a revolutionary thinker. He observed people from all over the world and discovered that what had been accepted as old age symptoms in the industrialised countries such as chronic pain, stiffness and reduced mobility, was not true for other locations. He made it his mission to find out what was causing it. Having worked with thousands of people he developed a set of exercises that had been effective in helping his clients to gain muscular control. This was achieved by re-educating the brain via the nervous system to send new messages to the body. These practices are known today as Hanna Somatic Education.
How does Somatic Movement work?
When the body learns a new movement, sends a message through the nervous system to a part of the brain called the Motor Cortex. Then the Motor Cortex communicates back to the muscle with impulses via the nervous system to initiate movement. When a movement has been repeated several times, it is stored in another part of the brain, the Cerebellum. It is from this part of the brain, learned movements such as walking and driving are initiated from, automatically.
This great function of the brain enables us to repeat routine tasks with minimum effort, as it remembers, and we do not have to relearn each movement every time.
When we encounter stress in life such as injuries, accidents, illness, surgery, repetitive movement and even difficult emotions, the muscles create involuntary contractions in the body as a reflex for the purpose of protection. If the distorted movements are repeated enough times, the Cerebellum would store the new out of balance way of moving resulting in a variety of chronically tensed and painful muscles. Eventually the body would forget to go back to regular and efficient use of those muscles. This in Somatics is called ‘Sensory Motor Amnesia’ (SMA).
SMA can be rectified through the repetition of exercises. We can re-educate the brain to remember how to lengthen and relax contracted muscles. This is done with a practice called Pandiculation. Animals do this when they wake up, to help them reconnect the nervous system with their body. It feels good and it is like a yarn.
Somatic movements are simple exercises. The difficulty lies in the discipline to learn how to do them and repeat them long enough to reach the central nervous system and the brain. It is different to stretching which only goes as far as the spinal cord giving temporary change. Permanent change to chronically contracted muscles happens when we re-educate the brain.
Who is Somatic Movement for?
Somatic Movement is for anybody who would like to take responsibly for their mobility. Although we have professionals to rebalance our bodies, learning how to help ourselves will reduce our visits to them and it will feel empowering too.
Whether you are a sports person wanting to rebalance tight muscles or someone with chronic pain and stiffness Somatic Movement Education will help you understand your body more and where you hold tension. Only when we become aware of something, we can change it.
Any conditions such as:-
Back pain, scoliosis, stiff muscles, limited movement, repetitive strain syndrome, lordosis, compromised posture, neck and shoulder pain, can be indicators of SMA. The brain has forgotten how to send clear messages to certain muscles for easy balanced movement.
With patience, determination and commitment you can re-educate your body to move as nature intended and free it from tension and pain.
All the Somatic Movement sessions run in blocks and target specific areas of the body or areas the participants are needing to work on. To join you need to have attended the introduction to Somatic Movement session. If you have not worked with me before and you are not sure what to expect, please contact me to discuss whether my classes are suitable for you.
PRACTICALS
• Create a safe and self-welcoming space by going somewhere warm and quiet, giving yourself enough room to move.
• You can join the somatic movement sessions 5 min before the start time so we can make a prompt start.
• Use a mat and have a blanket and some cushions nearby, ready to be used if needed.
• Wear flexible but body-hugging clothes to feel comfortable and to enable me to get maximum view of your movement.
• Place your camera in a position that will optimize my view, ideally to the side of your body and look after yourself by moving mindfully, considering any injuries and issues present.
• I can support you in finding a healthy way to move, but the responsibility of avoiding injuries is yours.
•You can pay by minimum donation weekly or for the course. If you miss a session the audio recording will be available to you.
Online Somatic Movement Classes
For more information about Somatic Movement Classes contact me here
One-to-One Classes
In addition to online Somatic Movement classes, I am also offering online one-to-one Somatic Movement sessions via zoom
Zoom 30 minutes - minimum donation £15
Zoom 1 hour - minimum donation £30
The class can be tailored to suit your specific needs and you can work in the comfort of your own home.
I also offer online classes for small groups of friends (maximum 6 people) who would like to work together. Donations are dependnt on the number of attendees. Please contact me to find out more.