Somatic Movement
Somatic movement is a holistic approach to body awareness and movement that emphasizes internal physical perception and experience. This practice focuses on the subjective experience of the body from within, aiming to enhance awareness, coordination, and health through gentle and mindful movement. The term "somatic" comes from the Greek word "soma," meaning "body," and it is used to describe practices that integrate the mind and body for overall well-being.
Key Aspects of Somatic Movement
Mind-Body Connection: Somatic movement practices prioritize the connection between the mind and body. Practitioners focus on internal sensations and how the body feels as it moves, rather than external appearance or performance.
Awareness and Perception: The practice involves heightened awareness of bodily sensations, movements, and posture. This increased awareness helps individuals recognize and release habitual patterns of tension and improve overall movement quality.
Gentle and Mindful Movements: Movements in somatic practices are typically slow, gentle, and mindful. This allows practitioners to explore the full range of motion and develop a deeper understanding of how their body moves.
Self-Regulation and Healing: Somatic movement can promote self-regulation, reduce stress, and facilitate healing by encouraging relaxation, improving circulation, and enhancing nervous system function.
Listen to Your Body: Follow its rhythm. Our bodies hold emotional experiences, and somatic movement can help in releasing stored emotions. By listening to your body, you can identify and process emotional states, leading to improved emotional regulation and mental well-being. Make the practice YOURS!
Examples of Somatic Movement Practices
Somatic Yoga: Movement practices in the context of yoga emphasize fluid, organic movements that originate from and expand upon traditional yoga poses such as Tabletop (Bharmanasana), Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), and Child’s Pose (Balasana). These practices integrate principles of somatic awareness, emphasizing internal sensations and the mindful exploration of movement patterns.
Feldenkrais Method: Focuses on improving movement patterns and increasing body awareness through gentle, exploratory movements.
Further Reading: Feldenkrais, M. (1972 & 2009). Awareness Through Movement: Easy-to-Do Health Exercises to Improve Your Posture, Vision, Imagination, and Personal Awareness. Harper & Row.
Benefits of Somatic Movement
Improved Body Awareness: Enhances the ability to sense and understand bodily sensations and movements.
Reduced Tension and Pain: Helps release habitual patterns of tension and alleviate chronic pain.
Enhanced Coordination and Flexibility: Improves movement efficiency, coordination, and flexibility.
Stress Reduction: Promotes relaxation and reduces stress by calming the nervous system.
Injury Prevention and Recovery: Supports injury prevention and aids in recovery by promoting healthy movement patterns.
Somatic movement is a versatile and accessible practice suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, providing numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
The following class combines Yin Yoga, Somatic Movement, and Meditation to create a deeply restorative experience. Yin Yoga involves holding gentle poses for extended periods to target deep connective tissues, promoting relaxation and flexibility. Somatic Movement focuses on mindful, slow movements to enhance body awareness and release tension. Meditation is integrated to cultivate mental calmness and presence, rounding out the class with a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being. This blend encourages deep relaxation, stress relief, and a greater connection between mind and body.
