What is Somatic Bodywork?
Somatic Bodywork teaches you awareness in order to gain control of the amount of tension in your muscles. It is an educational process that helps you to sense and then release your own muscular tension. Somatic education works with the brain to help you understand how you have created dominant neural pathways that create chronic contraction of the muscles. You will learn to re-enforce different neural pathways that will allow you to use the same muscles with less contraction (and thereby less pain) and more ease and fluidity.
Muscles are designed to contract yet they cannot contract unless they get a message from the brain, and the brain has 2 "switches", conscious and subconscious. Our muscles are mostly governed by our subconscious mind. The brain controls the amount of tension in the muscles and when the muscles get tight enough they pull the bones out of alignment. Somatics teaches you to have conscious control over your muscles contractions and move out of your subconscious holding patterns.
Many people keep their muscles contracted even when they are not using them for a particular function. This is like keeping your car running when you are sleeping. It is not a great idea for anyone concerned. Chronically contracted muscles are really just brain habits that were learned and therefore can be unlearned. Also muscles contract in response to our thoughts. For example if you are lying in bed sleeping and you hear the alarm go off and the first thought you think is OMG WHAT TIME IS IT?? I AM GOING TO BE LATE!! You haven't even moved at all yet your jaw, low back and shoulders will all tighten.
As we age we tend to lock into habits in our neural pathways. Also our bodies lock into holding patterns of leaning or arching or hunching. These are essentially neural habits that can be easily reprogrammed with a simple form of bio feedback that you learn in each session. When the body is holding these patterns it takes alot of energy to do so and after a few somatic sessions you will find that you have less pain and stiffness, more mobility as well as you sleep easier and feel much calmer.
What will happen in a Somatic Education Session?
First I will examine how you are standing and see what patterns you are locked into. Often there is a twist to one side or a leaning on one leg, or even chronically contracted waist muscles, there are so many possibilities and I assess everyone individually.
Next you will lie on the table fully clothed and I begin to help you to experience how you are holding and then guide you through some very simple, easy to follow biofeedback exercises that help you to notice and then release the tight muscles.
Finally I teach you what you need to do at home in order to re-enforce the new neural habits. Typically I give 3 home care exercises to help you establish a new pattern. Most people notice changes at the end of the first session.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on how long you have been in pain and what type of patterns you are locked in to. You will notice a shift in the first session and if you do the daily program I give you ( about 15 minutes a day), you will quickly notice a difference. Typically I see people for 3-6 sessions, yet even one session with follow up home care can truly make a huge difference in your life.
