Somatics, (also known as Hanna Somatic Education) was developed by Thomas Hanna in 1976. It is a simple movement method that targets chronically tight muscles and is regarded as the missing link in long term muscular pain management. This mindful practice which is suitable for all abilities, especially those with limited range of movement, re-establishes the brain/muscle connection and helps to re-set (relax) muscle length.
Chronically tight muscles, leads to pain, poor posture and reduced range of movement.
Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA)
Muscles become chronically tight as a result of injury, surgery, lack of movement, repetitive movement as a result of work and hobbies and also in response to emotional and mental trauma. Whatever the cause, the brain becomes unaware that these muscles have become habitually tight and goes into autopilot and continues to function with muscles continually contracted, even when asleep! Other parts of the body begin to compensate and in addition to limited mobility and pain, the muscles become weak and the body fatigued as the nervous system is over-worked. Hanna referred to this as Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA).
How does it work?
A Somatic class re-educates the brain and re-establishes it’s connection to these muscles, through awareness in movement. This is not just about stretching. It is slow, methodical movements termed as “Pandiculation”. Think about how you yawn and stretch. (perhaps try it now) as you move you will feel one side of your body contract and other lengthen, generally when we yawn and stretch, we do so in a slow way, this is how we move in a Somatic class. Repeated simple movements practiced, supine, side- lying, prone, seated and standing create a feeling of spaciousness and ease, as well as more movement and when practised regularly may help reduce pain.
A typical class focuses first on relaxing the muscles in the centre of the body, (low back, waist and abdomen), which when tight, affects the peripheral parts (neck, head, shoulders, arms, hips and legs).
““I enjoyed your class and I have to say that, for the first time in years, you gave me hope with regard to my mobility after years and years of pain and seizing up. I was very emotional at the end of the session. The last class I attended was a physiotherapy class and it had me laid up for 3 weeks after. The orthopedic consultant I was under at the time was incensed with the clinic and told me not to go again.
Anyway, I want to thank you for the gift of the Somatics class last week and am very keen to continue””
Some examples of Sensory Motor Amnesia:
Chronic Back Pain
Hip Pain
Neck Shoulder Pain
TMJ/TMD
Sciatica
Plantarfascitis