It’s all about pandiculation…
This is not physical exercise as we normally think of it, this is sensory motor training. Training designed to help you function better so you are able to participate with more ease and comfort in all the activities of your daily work and lifestyle and to do this late into your life.
“Somatic movement is deeply relaxing, meditative and has helped with my sleep. I love the sense of connection I feel with my body and the presence I feel with my mind” Tanner May.
“Your body hears everything you mind says.”
Classes run for 60 minutes and are a blend of Yoga and Hanna Somatics. In Hanna Somatics, you move slowly with the breath and with a focussed awareness on various parts of the body. You will feel comfortable, deeply relaxed and a sense of moving with ease after a session. Regular daily practice is encouraged between to commit movement patterns to muscle memory.
In a nutshell, it’s about:
Teaching you how chronic muscular tension and the stress reflexes that are the root cause of many of your aches and pains, stiffness, immobility and fatigue.
Experiencing how to sense and then release your tight muscles.
Getting back control of your body allowing you to function better.
Using a safe gentle technique to effectively release muscular tension.
Calming down your nervous system.
Moving away from the dominant sympathetic state of fight, flight and freeze that is so prevalent in our modern lifestyles.
About Hanna Somatics:
Studying Thomas Hanna’s work allowed me to delve into a deeper understanding of the intricate human mind and body, referred to as the SOMA. Hanna emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being within the concept of SOMA. The term "Soma" originates from the Greek word for the body, encompassing the soul, mind, and psyche.
Hanna Somatic movement is rooted in neurology and has greatly influenced my approach to yoga, inviting a deeper awareness. My yoga classes are inquiry based, in as much as a curiosity and attention is encouraged as we move in to and within postures.
The constant tension in our muscles is often responsible for the various discomforts we encounter, such as aches, fatigue, and limited mobility. However, through Somatic Movement Education, we can actively engage our nervous system to retrain the brain and facilitate the relaxation of these chronically tight muscles. This process enables the body to regain its natural ability to move freely, effortlessly, and with enhanced comfort.
All activities in our lives require movement, and our brain, serving as the control center, directs and coordinates all of these movements. When we engage in any form of movement, our muscles contract to facilitate it, and once the movement is completed, these muscles should fully relax. Nevertheless, due to the pressures and demands of life, our muscles do not always revert back to their natural resting state.
Thomas Hanna refers to this phenomenon as Sensory Motor Amnesia, which affects every individual. As a result, we experience stiffness, discomfort, aches, and pain, along with reduced mobility and imbalances in our bodily systems. This drains our energy throughout the day, leaving us feeling fatigued.
Pandiculation is a special technique that involves performing simple movements to contract and release your muscles. It's crucial to pay attention to the sensations you experience during these movements. This awareness allows you to regain control over your muscles and improve the overall function of your body. By engaging your brain, you'll learn how to effectively release your muscles.
This isn't your typical physical exercise; it's sensory motor training. It's all about improving your functionality, so you can effortlessly engage in your daily work and lifestyle and do this late into your life.