Somatics, a must for all of us: An antidote to modern life ?
Somatics is trendy right now. It is popping up a lot on social media. Originated from the Feldenkreis, it offers a safe, efficient and profound way to release tension from within and recalibrate tight muscles by retraining the nervous system and re-patterning the body-mind . It is great to release chronic tension, stress or trauma and leaves us with a true sense of wellbeing.
Somatics allows us to change physical habitual patterns via sensory-motor control education. There is a profound invitation to relax, befriend ourselves, attune to the breath, explore how we relate to the ground and the subtle relationships between different part of the body.
Somatics invites us to move with full-body awareness, focusing on our feelings within. It develops interoceptive awareness or the capacity to listen to and feel your body. We learn to become quieter, mindful and work at a deeper level to release deep seated tension.
How could Somatics help you or maybe someone you know and what are the benefits ?
It keeps your body young and at ease. If you have had injuries or surgery, it is a great way to regain control over your body. It is also a great to just relax and peel off the layers of stress.
I have had so many wonderful testimonials over the years from different clients, who all loved it. I always had a passion for health and wellbeing and found Somatics to be a great complement to yoga. I simply love it. I see positive results 99% of the time after just one session although a course of 5 or 6 is recommended for long lasting results. It is a great way to open, rebalance and relax the whole body and mind. Perfect for everyday life or to improve your sport or yoga practice.
I love this method, and how it helps to release tension in areas of the body (neck, shoulders, back, hips etc.) leaving you feeling so relaxed by the end of the session. It is like peeling the layers of an onion. The difference before and after is simply amazing. Somatics aims at bringing the body back to its natural state in a gentle and safe manner. It leaves you feeling spacious and at ease.
I like to think of it as NLP for the body. It is so powerful and offers you the tools to feel good again. By re-establishing communication between the muscles and the brain via the central nervous system, we switch from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic nervous system. Although it may look simple, the work is challenging enough at times and is very profound.
During my yoga teacher training back in 2016, I attended a workshop entitled “Releasing tension from within”. There was something different about this. I felt so good afterwards that I consequently signed up for a few personal sessions. In 2017, I qualified as a yoga teacher and decided to treat myself. I signed up for a 5-day yoga Somatics workshop in Madrid on spinal integration. This was a true revelation and my love for Somatics was born. I was hooked !
In 2018, I qualified as a Somatics Exercise Coach. I travelled to Dublin to study 3 different modules over a year. I subsequently attended additional courses in London. I learnt the principles of Somatics, the different stress responses and how they influence posture, alignment and movement patterns, the somatic movement approach to re-patterning the body-mind. During my training, I learnt and practiced a whole range of specific exercises to help recalibrate the body from top to toe; upper body, lower body, front body, side body, back body.
In our later modules, we looked more specifically at exercises to recalibrate and improve muscle function and posture in the lower body such as pelvis, hips, psoas, legs, feet… I learnt how our centre determines how the whole body coordinates and balances itself. I studied the connection between the lower and upper body. I discovered how this can have a huge impact on our sense of alignment, posture and relation to gravity, even within one session. It brought me more ease and freedom in standing, walking, and squatting. I felt such a sense of lightness and peace.
Often, our most profound experiences take place when we get out of our head and settle deeply into our body. The somatic level of awareness offers a gateway to a profound level of reality, which lies beyond our habitual level of perception. The ability to listen to the internal feedback and subtle sensations of the body is referred to interoception. This offers a wide range of benefits. When you learn to pay attention to these internal signals, you not only enhance your emotional intelligence but begin to carry this wisdom into your health habits and daily life.
All movements are performed slowly and to the rhythm of the breath. I believe working with the breath is primordial as it brings body and mind together. I always start all my private sessions and classes with breathwork. It improves our breathing patterns, calms our nervous system and regenerates ourselves. We reconnect with ourselves, let go, create space, melt tensions away.
It is a beautiful mindful practice, which can transform the way you feel in your body and mind. When I first introduced some of this practice into my yoga classes, the students’ feedback was fantastic. All my private clients feel a difference and a significant change their sessions. They experience more ease and freedom in their body and mind. Tension is released. Posture improves. They feel calmer and happier in themselves. I always love to see their smiles as they leave.
Here are a few of some of my clients' testimonials:
“Somatics yoga class with Isabelle was very different from any yoga class I have done before, a combination of slow movements, breath and body awareness. At the end of the session, I feel relaxed, grounded and more in tune with my body sensations”.
"Feeling much more relaxed, mellow... The body feels longer, flatter, heavier, more relaxed and more spacious... I like learning how to breathe and connecting with my body. A good counterbalance to my busy life."
“I feel stretched, taller and my body feels more relaxed. The breathing exercises help me connect with my body and I can't wait for the class on neck and shoulders relaxation next week! Thank you, Isabelle”
“I arrived in class and last week with terrible headache and very sore back after just an hour went home feeling great no pain. Excellent ! Also looking forward to my weekly class. Highly recommended”.
"My ongoing shoulder stiffness is noticeably decreasing and the movement is getting a lot easier.
“The class has really helped with a sense of inner calm and relaxation”.
“Relaxation is much more achievable, and I always have a great sleep after a class.”
“I enjoyed the class today and felt I had improved a little from last week, especially as I’ve been sitting at the pc and feeling stiff. I pull muscles very easily and am always an anxious person but did feel good after the class! Thank you”.
“For me however the most enjoyment comes from the fact that the classes are small and you are always on hand to correct, encourage and improve my efforts throughout the hour.”
“Who would have thought that something that does you good could be so much fun!”
“I just wanted to drop you a quick message about the somatic course on Sunday afternoon with Isabelle. I wasn’t sure about it at first, as it wasn’t what I was expecting - and I was extremely tired and kept falling asleep! – but I really enjoyed it in the end and most importantly, my back pain / strained muscle pain in my side, which has been bothering me terribly for months and months (since at least springtime) has since vanished. It was at its worst on Saturday morning and now has gone. Amazing. I would love to do it monthly/quarterly to reset my body – or whatever it did! – if you were thinking of running it again. “
“The exercises were gentle and simple but the results were extraordinary. When I stood up at the end, I literally felt I had been given a new body. I moved effortlessly and felt grounded and confident. Better physically and emotionally. This work is amazing and should be available on the NHS.”
I run weekly classes in Wadhurst, Frant, Fordcombe and online. A blend of breathwork, yoga, Somatics, Pilates to feel good. I also offer workshops and 1:1. All welcome ! Just get in touch...
Group classes, Private tuitions and workshops available. For more info, benefits and testimonials on Yoga, Somatics, Classes, Events etc. pls visit www.yogawithbelle.co.uk
Comments