Somatic movements address all parts of your body and all systems in your body, physical, mental and emotional. This is why I love this practice as a wholistic practice because it brings us back to centre in all parts or our being.
Physical stress release
First and foremost somatic movement addresses the physical body; the physical tension patterns held in the physical body. This much seems obvious when we practice and indeed it is a practice dedicated to helping us out of physical pain. However, I believe there is so much more going on under the surface of physical pain and tension as our emotions and thoughts are intrinsically intertwined together. We are an entire being and illness in one part of ourselves manifests as illness in other parts.
The act of pandiculation, described here, which Hanna Somatic Education is based upon and which forms the background of my style of somatic movement classes, is designed to help muscles release held tension and re-set to their original length. Over time a person can become numb to, or 'forget', how to access certain areas of the body due to the stressors of life. Thomas Hanna called this Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA). This SMA leads to postural imbalances and eventually pain.
So re-awakening the neural-muscular pathways through pandiculation is the physical body's way to remembering parts of the body that have been forgotten and which may be holding us in postural imbalance, leading to dysfunctional movement patterns and pain.
Mental stress release
Mindful movements are calming for your mind because you have a single point of focus that is in this moment now. When you focus in the moment now, you take energy and focus away from the spiraling thoughts, the to-do list and any worry that you might be projecting into the future.
In this way, somatic movement as a mindful practice helps to clear your mind and gives you a space of rest and reset from thoughts.
What happens in one part of yourself will be mirrored in the other parts of yourself. The simple act of slowing down your movements is a way to slow your mind and calm your thoughts. It can be hard to go slow, so somatic pandiculation is an excellent practice.
During somatic movement practice you can easily find yourself in a meditative state. You may find clarity around problems or gain a different perspective on thoughts that have been going around inside of you.
Emotional stress release
Emotions are caused by thoughts and emotions flow through your body. When emotions aren't felt they are stored in the body. Distressing emotions that aren't processed will be stored in the muscles as trauma and tension. As you release held tension in your muscles, you allow the release of held trauma caused by distressing thoughts which causes unpleasant emotions. By allowing yourself a space of rest you allow your emotions to unwind and flow through you so that they may be acknowledged.
Although somatic movements are gentle and what I teach here does not encourage traumatic release, if you have had deep traumatic experiences make sure that you are well resourced to deal with anything that may be released by delving into held tension in your body. The end result is healing.
Again, as you slow down and find space between your thoughts and rushing actions, you allow space for emotions to be felt, releasing them and any physical restrictions they may be causing.
Somatic movement truly is a practice that works wonders for all parts of your being.