Somatic Movement Education

Somatic movements are a means of releasing muscle tension caused by stress, injury or trauma and restoring freedom throughout the body. Using small, subtle and intentional movements, Somatic movements bring the brain’s attention to patterns of unconscious bodily tension and teach the muscles to regain full function. Moving from center to periphery, the movements restore length and balance throughout the body. 

Upcoming Classes & Workshops

In-person 1:1 and small group classes will be held at

697 Valley St, Suite 2b, Maplewood, NJ

For workshops, please refer to locations listed on the event booking page.

What is especially moving to me is the link between Somatic movements and the Executive Functioning Coaching I do, wherein an individual's ability to self-regulate is foundational. The brain's ability to relearn new and more efficient patterns of organization and streamlined functioning have innumerable implications in our lives. For me, the combination of these two approaches makes absolute sense and enables me to weave together significant and inextricably connected parts of my lived experience. 

-Michele

“By the end of the session, I felt my posture impacted positively and had a greater awareness of how I was holding my body, particularly while walking.”

— Daniela

Three women doing somatic movements on a hardwood floor, with one woman sitting on the floor smiling and observing two women moving.

FAQs

  • Clinical Somatic Education is a movement practice developed by Thomas Hanna, a philosopher and somatics educator. The work explores three basic reflexes or habitual patterns of holding.

    The Red Light Reflex is associated with aging bodies, with retreating, with “flight.” This reflex involves shortening or slumping the front of the body, jutting the chin forward, tightening in the front of the hips.

    The Green Light Reflex is associated with a call to action, with “fight.” This reflex involves tightening the back of the body, opening the front of the rib cage at “attention,” tucking the chin to the chest, and gripping in the lower back.

    The Trauma Reflex is associated with avoiding or “freezing.” This reflex involves a twisting and rotation to compensate for a one-sided injury or it may be the result of repeated movements like holding a child on one hip.

    In all instances, somatics brings the brain’s conscious attention to these unconscious patterns of tension in order to regain balance, to reduce tension and to ease pain.

  • Patterns of unconscious tension are addressed using a method called “pandiculation,” a three-part process in which specific muscles are contracted, released slowly and then allowed to rest. We pandiculate to do more of what the brain already knows, in order to unlearn the habit. The result is restored muscle function, freedom of movement as well as the reduction of pain.

  • Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA) is the result of habituated muscle contractions. Our brains forget how to release the contraction. Resultant and gradual postural imbalances impact our ability to move freely and can cause pain. We address Sensory Motor Amnesia by pandiculating.

  • Somatics is a meditative movement practice, a self-regulatory practice. What is most important is the first-hand experience of the person doing the movements. Self-sensing is the means to making intentional shifts, in this case by using small, intentional and focused movements that release tension, that help regain full muscle function and that lead to an overall sense of ease and freedom.

  • Chronic pain can be caused by prolonged muscular contractions. Somatics can reteach the brain to bring contractions under our conscious control. Once we can access the contractions consciously, we can teach the muscles to release. As muscles regain full function, pain is reduced.

  • Come to classes wearing loose, comfortable clothes that you can move in.

    If taking a class online, have a yoga mat or blanket for your practice. It’s also a good idea to have small pillows or additional blankets available, just in case, and to ensure comfort throughout the class. When specified, chairs will also be used in some classes.