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SOMATIC MOVEMENT
What value does somatic movement hold for you?
AT FACE VALUE:
A somatic movement practice involves gentle movements seated and lying down that helps us to recognize where we hold muscular tension and to learn to soften it. Through this process we can manage accumulated muscular tension that leads to restricted movement and chronic or reoccurring pain associated with sciatica, frozen shoulder, hip pain, S.I. joint pain, neck/shoulder pain, TMJ, herniated discs, and chronic back pain to name a few.
AT ITS ROOTS:
A somatic movement practice helps us manage our being within the context of our lives. Life is hard. Life creates stress in our bodies and minds and the grind mentality of the world in which we lives disconnects us from our bodies.
Our bodies are designed to help us regulate our experiences - what is too much, too little, just enough. This innate sensing is our internal compass, and for many of us we have become experts at ignoring it.
A somatic movement practice reteaches us how to listen to our bodies through awareness, adjust what we are doing and how we are doing it through choice, and to rediscover that ease is a possibility.
For more information scroll down to find the FAQ section or two short video clips where Erin explains the power of somatic movement.
Check out upcoming workshops here.
Experience profound results...
Chronic Back Pain Relief
“Somatic movement is the only thing that has given consistent relief from my lower back pain. Before coming to see Erin, I tried many different things: physical therapy, chiropractic and even had epidural injections. To be completely honest, I was very skeptical walking into my first session of somatic movement. Erin’s energy and approach made me feel really comfortable and about half way through I began to feel a change in my back. I walked out of that first session feeling relief that continued to increase. I continued to notice less tingling and pain with more flexibility and strength. My skepticism has been relieved. Also, I really appreciate being able to do the movements anywhere without special equipment. While I am able to do many of the exercises on my own at this point, I continue to benefit from in person sessions with Erin - her energy and gentle guidance are like nothing I’ve experienced before.” ~Corey S.
“Awareness has the capacity to heal.”
~ Deepak Chopra, author of Perfect Health
“Each one of us is the custodian of an inner world that we carry around with us.”
~ John O’Donohue, quoted in Walking in Wonder
“Your body is a site of liberation. It doesn't belong to capitalism. Love your body. Rest your body. Move your body. Hold your body.”
~ Tricia Hersey, author of Rest is Resistance
A Somatic Movement Practice
What does a somatic movement practice entail?
Erin is an Essential Somatics® Movement Teacher. In both private and small group settings, she guides clients through movement patterns that re-educate the nervous system. Done in a conscious way, this self-awareness building experience helps restore ease in the body.
These gentle and subtle movements can be explored laying down, seated in a chair and/or standing making them accessible to anyone.
Somatic movement is so effective because it involves re-educating the nervous system - both on how to control muscle function and in how to let your guard down again. From a muscular point of view, when chronic tension is released, proper coordination of the muscles is restored and ease of movement is re-established.
When present moment awareness is practiced through your attention on your body, the part of your nervous system responsible for fight/flight can quiet down and the part responsible for rest/digest can rise up. You can experience inner peace.
Whether you have chronic low back pain, are perpetually tired or burnt out, your own somatic movement practice can help your soma (being) reset. When you address your being in this kind and gentle way, you will find more ease and joy in all aspects of your life.
Somatic Movement Class
Weekly Series or Drop-in
Wednesdays @ 10:30am
Location: In-person at the studio (683 Waterford Road) or virtually (live or recorded)
For current series details (dates/cost) click here.
Accountability and Support
With a consultation under your belt, these on-going classes offer guidance as you explore the habits in your body. Our ability to notice is layered. We start superficially and each time we practice we are deepening our connection to ourselves and what we can notice. This weekly class helps you be accountable to yourself as well. Most of us would agree that attending a class is easier to make time for than our own practice. Each week, learn something new in class that can direct your exploration in your own practice.
A prior somatic movement consultation with Erin is recommended, but not required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is somatic movement?
As an Essential Somatics® Movement Teacher, Erin helps clients create and maintain a daily movement practice to reduce/eliminate chronic pain and movement restrictions.
The practice involves releasing muscular tension by re-education the nervous system with safe and gentle movements lying down, seated and or standing.
What does a daily practice address?
It focuses on restoring proper muscle function to alleviate pain, including functional disorders that result from chronic tension such as: chronic low back pain, neck pain, frozen shoulder, SI joint pain, sciatica, jaw pain, thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel, leg length discrepancy, shallow breathing.
It helps individuals find more ease in any and all daily movements: walking, running, reaching up, bending down, twisting, lifting etc.
How is it different from fitness, yoga, pilates, and physical therapy?
In general, the intention is different from any other type of movement practice. When practicing somatic movements, we are taking subconscious, habitual muscle tension and making it conscious to regain control of the muscle function.
Because it involves re-educating our nervous system, the movements are done slowly so there is time for feedback to be processed by the brain.
Muscular strength is found in connection and control of the muscles rather than in working harder.
Muscle weakness results from a lack of connection and control of the muscles and/or fatigue of the muscles due to being chronically contracted.
How does it compliment other movement practices and self-care modalities?
It can be an effective warm-up and cool-down for fitness workouts, running, sports games, etc. It helps individuals move their bodies with precision, reduce soreness, fatigue and injury.
It increases self-awareness and improves the benefits of any rehabilitation program including physical therapy exercises, fitness exercises, and yoga, for individuals that are post-injury, post-surgery or postpartum.
Can a somatic movement practice benefit individuals in other ways?
Somatic movement practice works at the level of the nervous system which controls how we move, think and feel. It can have a much greater impact on an individual beyond just improving movement.
It can also reduce anxiety and the impact of stress, improve breath capacity and quality of sleep to name a few.
Foundations of Yoga
3-week series led by Adrienne Carroll
October 4, 11, 18 or November 1, 8, 15
Wednesdays, 6:00pm - 7:00pm