Slow, gentle movements.

Based on the work of Thomas Hanna, Ph.D., a Somatics practice consists of gentle movement sequences and sensory awareness training that increases brain-muscle coordination and encourages tight muscles to relax.

Each movement is designed to address Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA), the negative effects of muscle memory. SMA describes the state in which we have lost sensation and voluntary control of a movement or posture—because it has become so deeply learned—through repetitive activity or in response to sustained stress or injury. The effect is that we are no longer aware of the tension we are holding in our bodies.

Somatic movements address SMA through pandiculation, a three-step process that includes 1) a contraction of muscles, 2) a slow, conscious release and 3) complete relaxation or rest. Pandiculation is a voluntary, focused process that re-patterns the brain and re-establishes control over the muscles so we can ultimately relax them.

Movement explorations, not exercises.

Thomas Hanna coined the term “somatics” to refer to the discipline of movement re-education—or somatic education—which seeks to foster internal awareness of one’s body. When practicing somatically through slow, conscious movements, we take time to notice, sense, and feel. We explore our body’s response to stress. As we regain sensorimotor awareness, we can begin to change what we are sensing. Somatic movements promotes skills that allow us to self-regulate and self-heal.

Common Questions

  • Somatic movement is different than stretching. Somatics is based on the process of pandiculation.

    Pandiculation

    Pandiculation involves voluntarily contracting of an area of the body and slowly, consciously releasing the contraction. The movement brings sensory awareness (mind-body connection) to the contraction and release of the muscles.

    Stretching

    When an isolated muscle is stretched, the sense receptors within that muscle send information to the spinal cord to indicate that the muscle has lengthened. The spinal cord in response sends a motor impulse to the muscle triggering a contraction (tightening) until you come out of the stretch.

    So, here’s the difference:

    Stretching is a passive approach that does not require you to consciously focus on contracting and releasing.

    Pandiculation is a slow, active movement that develops better sensorimotor control over the muscles so that we regain the ability to both contract AND relax our muscles.

  • Both methods are focused on the mind-body connection, but these are different types of therapies.

    Somatic therapy, also known as somatic experiencing therapy, is a treatment focusing on the mind-body connection, specifically how emotions appear within the body. In this therapy, patients discuss their problems as in other forms of mental wellness therapies. Rather than just talk about experiences, somatic therapists guide patients to focus on their underlying physical response.

    Somatic movement, the type of Somatics taught at Revival Somatics, is a method that is designed to re-establish the mind-body connection through slow, controlled movements. This process leads to greater awareness of where the body is involuntarily holding tension, known as Sensory Motor Amnesia. Greater awareness leads to greater control of the body, calming the nervous system and helping to release tension and relieve pain.

  • Everyone can benefit from Somatic education. whether you have a physical job or spend most of your day sitting at a desk. Somatics helps those suffering from residual chronic aches and pains from previous injuries sustained as the result of overuse, an injury or fall, surgery, or emotional trauma.

    Because Somatic movements re-establish awareness and control of muscles in the body, improving overall function, students can experience several benefits:

    • Relieve pain

    • Improve mobility, strength and coordination

    • Improve posture and appearance

    • Alleviate feelings of anxiety and stress

    • Calm the nervous system and lower blood pressure

  • Somatic movement is all about improving the connection of the mind and body through slow, focused movements. As we observe our internal sensations to these movements, we focus inward. As the movements release tension, we become more relaxed.

    If our back and chest are tight, and we feel like we can’t breathe easily, we naturally feel anxious. If our bodies feel relaxed and supple, our anxiety diminishes.

    Many of us struggle with seated meditation because our minds wander. Somatic movement is a very accessible meditation—giving us just enough to do to stay focused but requires so much of our attention that we have to temporarily let go of everything else.

  • The body is a system, meaning a muscle does not function independently. Somatic movements address tension from the center of the body and then moves out to the periphery (arms and legs). Your Somatic practice should begin with movements that address the muscles of the front, back and sides of the body before focusing on a specific area.