SOMATICS-ISMS

Like most disciplines, Somatics has developed some principles and sayings unique to Somatics practice. Let’s explore some of the common phrases you may have heard me use during a Somatics class!

FROM THE PERIPHERY TO THE CENTER

Thomas Hanna, Ph.D. referred to our limbs (legs, arms) as the periphery. Our trunk / torso or center of the body is defined as the Soma. When we walk for example, it is not just our legs moving us forward. Our arms move as well and form a diagonal connection to the legs. When the right shoulder and arm move forward, the left pelvis, leg and foot move forward as well. The same diagonal connection occurs when the left foot moves forward. To allow for this diagonal connection, a small rotation in the waist occurs. The hips swing from side to side as they balance the weight shift. Walking is a full body motion and the movements of the periphery – arms and legs – flow through the Somatic Center.

Discomfort and pain occur when the movements are blocked and cannot freely flow through the Soma / center. The result is that walking becomes uncomfortable and requires more effort. The steps may no longer be in proportion to the leg length, requiring more steps to cover the distance. When the stride length is not proportionate to the leg length the hip flexor will not be able to fully extend. They remain contracted and shortened contributing to back pain. The arms may not swing effectively, wasting energy. The shoulders or hips might be locked, absorbing the movements of the legs like shock absorbers, creating stiffness and discomfort.

DO MORE OF WHAT THE BRAIN IS ALREADY DOING

This principle refers to the technique of pandiculation. As described in previous blogs a pandiculation is a small muscles contraction, followed by a slow intentional release and a resting period. The reason for chronically contracted muscles is that we have lost voluntary control over them, also referred to as Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA). However, if you do more of what your brain is already doing: contracting the muscles, you can initiate a muscle release phase. The contraction is the means whereby your brain regains voluntary control of the muscles. By slightly contracting an already contracted muscle even more, doing more of what your brain is already doing, you are now able to let go.

THE POWER OF DOING LESS

This movement practice goes against everything we were taught about exercising. Pushing through the pain or thinking “no pain no gain” will not yield results in Somatics. Think about your muscles as a rope with a few knots in them. If you apply force and pull on the rope the knots are getting even tighter. However, if you relax the rope - and in this case, release your muscles and allow them to soften – you will be able to pick the knot apart or release and lengthen the muscle.

Applying force like stretching or straining will keep your tight muscles tight. Somatics teaches how to release the chronically contracted muscles allowing for a new resting tone to be established. Therefore, it is important while practicing Somatics to make the movement small. Move slowly to sense when a muscle is starting to stretch or strain instead of softening. That is the power of doing less.