What is Somatics?
Somatics is “the field which studies the Soma; namely the body perceived from within, by first person perception” Thomas Hanna.
It is movement reeducation which seeks to develop internal awareness of one’s own sensations and movements in one's body. What sets Somatics apart from even other Somatic Practices is Thomas Hanna’s discovery of Sensory Motor Amnesia, the three muscular Brain Reflexes and Pandiculation.
YOUR SOMA
You're the only one that lives in your body and so you're the only one who knows what it feels like to be you - both physically, mentally and emotionally.
This is called the first person perspective. Whereas, when another person looks at you - they see a body and notice your traits such as your posture, height, weight, - this is the third person perspective. With Somatics, I work with you as a Soma as you are ultimately the expert of yourself. When you direct your attention inwards as a Soma - you open up to the world of possibilities!
SMA - Sensory Motor Amnesia
Simply - Your nervous system has forgotten how to sense and move efficiently - so muscle tension develops which over time becomes a ‘pattern‘.
Your Habituated Tension Patterns
Each one of us is unique in how we respond to our environment which is expressed through posture and gait. Your nervous system (Brain and Spinal Cord) has learnt how to hold you in specific patterns of tension, that over time feel very normal to you. What we call the inevitable ageing process, is these Habituated Tension Patterns. They have accumulated over your lifetime as a response to accidents, illnesses, repetitive movements and stress.
Here are the three muscular Brain Reflexes and their typical presentations; These three Brain Reflexes are there for a reason, we want to be able to arch our back, have a forward stoop or tilt sideways, just that we don't want them to become habituated into a pattern.
Three Brain Reflexes
The Arching Posture -
Green Light Reflex
It's an involuntary response to Go Go Go, to push forward and to get things done - The Action Response.
The body reacts by involuntary contracting the posterior extensor back muscles. This progresses to arching the lower back causing lower back pain.
Some conditions resulting from the Arching Posture: Hyperlordosis, shoulder tightness and pain, headaches, spinal disc problems, Sciatica and Piriformis syndrome, Sacroiliac Joint issues, tight knees, Achilles Tendonitis, Hamstring and calf muscle tightness, Plantar Fascititis, Bunions.
The Stooping Posture -
Red Light Reflex
The body reacts to negative stresses (fear, worry, anxiety) by involuntarily contracting the flexor muscles in front of the body. This progresses to a forward stooped slumping posture.
Some conditions resulting from the Stooping Posture: forward head and neck, shoulders and chest pulling forward, contracted abdominals, TMJ, Bruxism, Hyperkyphosis, shallow breathing, digestive problems, frequent urination
The Tilted Posture -
Trauma Reflex
Whenever there is pain, injury, repetitiveness, the body compensates with bracing and holding of the area. It expresses itself as a tilt and rotation away from the injured site.
Some conditions resulting from the Tilted Posture: Scoliosis, leg length discrepancy, Sciatica, sore back, tight shoulders and neck, frozen shoulder, bursitis in hip or shoulder, thoracic outlet syndrome, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, hip knee and ankle pain
So how do we get unstuck out of these Habituated Tension Patterns?
By slow targeted conscious movement sequences. In order for the nervous system to sense and release the contracted muscles, we have to slow down and remind the nervous system to sense the movement. This restores voluntary motor control.
One of the methods I employ is Pandiculation.
Pandiculation resets the resting tone of muscular tension. We never stretch, we Pandiculate.
Eastern Traditions
I have studied with many wonderful Eastern Medicine Practitioners: Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, Kathy Pederson, Dr Tan, Tung Acupuncture, Bruce Bently, Pony Chiang. Whether you need pain relief or need help with your pregnancy concerns or wanting to experience Eastern myofascial work there's something for everybody.