Frequently asked questions

You can begin learning to release tension and improving your movement almost immediately. To change a deeply ingrained postural habit (for example shoulder tension) can take a little longer, which is why you will be prescribed movement exercises to complete at home to accelerate your progress. Developing subtle physical awareness happens quickly but will continue to deepen over time.

After taking a case history in which we find out what your wants and needs are from the session, you will be assessed in various movements and postures. We will then work with a mixture of instruction and hands-on movement to begin teaching you a new way of moving. The sessions are designed around certain protocols, such as breathing, walking and stress reflexes.

The protocols work by focusing on the body as a whole, and so a specific area of tension for example the shoulders, may in fact have it's roots in abdominal tension or lack of support through the legs. We will not be sticking rigidly within these protocols if not necessary, and your specific 'issues' will be taken into account during treatment.

There are a series of 6 classes which progressively work through the body through Thomas Hanna's Myth of Ageing program. It is most effective to take these classes in order as the later classes build on the fundamental movements of the initial ones. The classes can contain many variations, and so after the series if you wish you can return and continue to deepen your physical awareness and movement.

No, in fact pain or even slight discomfort during movement is a distraction from the goal of somatics, which is to develop a comfortable and integrated way of using the body. Pain in movement is a sign that the movement is either physically or psychologically threatening to you. In somatics we don't seek to push through any pain barriers, but learn how to expand the comfortable areas naturally and safely.

Somatics is very easy to do, but to be honest many people find slow mindful movement so different from the way that they are used to using their bodies that they may struggle with it initially. Somatics is about doing less rather than more, which for many of us does not come easily. However, if you can learn to develop your trust in your body (and in the movements), you will quickly see the benefits of doing this.

Yes. The book "Somatics" by Thomas Hanna explains the whys and hows of somatics, and provides a program at the end for you to practice at home. It can be used as a stand alone text or to accompany classes and sessions.