What is Somatic Movement?
Somatic movement is a type of movement therapy that focuses on internal bodily sensations and awareness. It is based on the idea that by becoming more aware of and connected to our bodies, we can release tension, improve posture, and move with greater ease and grace.
One of the key principles of somatic movement is that our bodies hold onto patterns of tension and stress, often without us even realizing it. These patterns can be caused by a variety of factors, such as physical injuries, emotional trauma, or chronic stress. Over time, these patterns can become deeply ingrained in our bodies, leading to pain, stiffness, and restricted movement.
This movement seeks to break these patterns by helping individuals become more aware of their bodies and how they move. Through a variety of exercises and movements, students tune into their internal bodily sensations and release tension and stress. This can lead to improved posture, greater flexibility, and a greater sense of physical and emotional well-being.
The Significance of Slow & Steady Somatic Movement
To get the most out of somatic movement, it’s best to perform it as slowly as possible. The human nervous system, which governs our posture and movement, learns new things at a snail’s pace. Over time, we can increase our speed while still maintaining form and control. If we move too quickly, we’re not learning anything new – we’re only strengthening previous patterns. The purpose of these movements is to release tension patterns in the SOMA, which comes from the Greek word meaning “The Body, living in wholeness”.?These movements are gentle, slow, and easy-going, and can be done while lying prone on the back or sitting. They are pleasurable and a key foundation for greater range of movement, agility, strength, joy, contentment, vital energy, and relaxation. Awakening the soma of the body can unlock one’s innate wisdom and lead to a more spontaneous and fluid life experience.
Key Insight into Somatic Movement
This movement is an exploratory process. While we may be performing a somatic movement to improve our posture or movement in a particular way, the focus should remain on the internal journey of the movement, rather than the end outcome.
Emphasizing Experience & Process for Optimal Learning
Many find it challenging to prioritize the experience and process over the end result. However, it’s about how our nervous system acquires new knowledge. Practicing movements as if it’s the first time we’re doing them, allows us to learn something new every time and makes the learning process efficient and effective. Unlike traditional exercises like sit ups and pushups, somatic movements prioritize quality over quantity.
Conscious Presence is Essential for Performing Somatic Movements
In order to properly execute a somatic movement, it is crucial that we perform it with complete internal focus and attention. Conscious attention is the cornerstone of the learning process; we cannot acquire new knowledge without being fully aware of our actions. To fully experience a somatic movement, complete internal focus and attention are necessary. The learning process requires conscious attention. Without awareness of what we’re doing, we cannot learn something new. In essence, any motion can be considered a somatic movement if it is executed with awareness, a slower pace, and the intent to concentrate on the internal sensations of the movement.
