Essay On Somatic Pilates

Somatic Pilates

What is that I hear you ask?

It Pilates but not as you know it, the pace is slower with time to reflect and process, its a bit like interval training the changes happen during the rest periods. Its based on science, and has a slightly different focus let me explain. Somatic based exercise be that pilates or any other form helps to re-educates us - mind and body to move in more beneficial, energy saving way, which can help reduce pain and manage daily stress, great! .

The word Somatic comes from the Greek "somatikos" which means experienced and regulated from within (the body). The concept of somatics proposes that neither your body nor your mind is separate from the other; both are part of your living process. Is somatic pilates, really pilates?

Yes its based on the principles of Joseph Pilates' original method, the awareness principle of the Pilates method but taken to a

deeper level, blended with our new scientific understanding of how we learn movement and how our brain can trick our bodies into perceiving increase tension, danger and pain.

Here’s the science bit
The word Somatic was first coined by the philosopher Thomas Hanna (1928 - 1990) who was a student of Feldenkrais and inspired by the Alexander Technique, (both somatic practitioner without actually using the term).

Hanna devoted years to researching and exploring the links between our physical and psychological well-being, how we have the capacity to alter both behavioural and bodily health through awareness and control of the way in which our bodies move. He founded the Novato Institute of Somatic Research specifically to study the impacts of "movement awareness".

Somatic principle are used in many movement and exercise disciplines, from Dance, and tai chi, bodywork, some form of psychotherapy, or spiritual practices such as walking meditation. There were many early pioneers Mabel Todd and Lulu Sweigard are two who along with Feldenkrais and Pilates paved the way for Hanna to explore. Fundamentally they all had the same aims, improving body awareness, joint alignment while building strength from the inside.

What happens in a Somatic Pilates

Class
Like a regular Pilates classes we use floor based movements, you will learn and explore effective, safe and simple movements, to regain awareness, sensation, and motor control of muscles, which will help relax the tension patterns that are often the root cause of much musculoskeletal pain. Which with practice this repatterning or sensory motor training creates improved muscle function and enhanced awareness so the brain remembers how to relax and move muscles properly and efficiently.

Patients and clients report that they experience pain relief, muscle relaxation and overall feelings of well-being. Somatic pilates is suitable for, my groups classes are open to anyone over 18 yrs. Children, teenager and those with complex pain or mobility issues are better served in individual sessions. No previous pilates or exercise experience is required, its a guided exploration, like a guided mediation. Please note you need to be able to get on off the floor unaided to come to a group class.