Somatic Exercise Classes
Gentle movements done slowly and consciously to release muscular pain.
What is Hanna Somatics?
Hanna Somatics uses gentle exercises to re-educate the neuromuscular system. Through slow, mindful movements, tight muscles are first gently contracted, then gradually released. A brief pause allows the brain to register the change, helping the muscles recognise a new sense of length and ease. In this way, Hanna Somatics helps reset muscle tension and restore more natural, comfortable movement.
I teach Hanna Somatics, created by Thomas Hanna. The word Somatics gets banded around at the moment and this leads to confusion.
Thomas Louis Hanna (November 21, 1928 - July 29, 1990) was a philosophy professor and movement theorist who coined the term Somatics in 1976. Hanna Somatics was created by Thomas Hanna, and you can read more about his work in Somatics: Reawakening the Mind's Control of Movement, Flexibility, and Health or on his Wikipedia page.
Ever noticed how your shoulders are lifted? Then you drop them because you noticed they were lifted but minutes later they are back by your ears again? That is because they are in autopilot. Through somatic exercises you can reset your tight shoulders. And you do this YOURSELF. You take control and ownership of your own body.
Somatic Exercise are gentle movements done slowly and consciously. Most of the exercises are done lying down, however we usually start standing. The classes are taught slowly. You may find it best to close your eyes and feel the movement from within your body. I will teach you through a sequence of movements which you will explore with curiosity. You will learn and discover which muscles you are habitually tensing and you will be able to release them, thus relieving muscular pain.
We close the class with a short 5-10 minute relaxation with blankets and eye pillows. This is an important part of the process where the brain has time to download.
How will I feel after?
You may feel a little bit spaced out after the class. You will feel relaxed and calm - the kind of feeling you get after a massage.
Even though it is gentle, you may feel something in your muscles the next day.
Is it just slow yoga?
No, it is a bit more technical than that. What we are doing is neuromuscular re-patterning. We are changing habitual movement patterns. If you can fully immerse yourself in the class and connect with your body, you will be able to release muscular pain yourself.
The next day or thereafter you might notice something that you haven't noticed about yourself; perhaps you unconsciously hold one shoulder up higher than the other; or you realise you are leaning to one side.
The classes are about discovery and are quite empowering.
"I'd never heard of Somatics before I tried the taster session whilst on Debbie's Pilates retreat. The movements are subtle but deeply penetrating at the same time. I really appreciate the hands on approach of the class with time to ask questions and discover your own limitations and strengths. I leave the class feeling calm and relaxed but having stretched myself at my pace. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone, it's a great way of understanding and addressing embedded bad habits we all develop over time in a safe and supported way."
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Experience Somatics?
Join a class or book a private session to begin easing tension and improving movement.