Somatics

The word somatic means “of, or relating to, the living body”.
According to Thomas Hanna, who first coined the phrase, “somatics” is the study of self from the perspective of one’s lived experience, encompassing the dimensions of body, psyche, and spirit.
A somatic movement, generally speaking, is one which is performed consciously with the intention of focusing on the internal experience of the movement rather than the external appearance or result of the movement.
The pioneers of somatics brought the West an alternative view of health and body, a view that emphasizes an intimate connection of movement, anatomical structure, intelligence and spiritual awareness.
These teachers encourage us to respect the living experience with respect and to appreciate the wisdom that emerges of "paying attention to" the processes of life and not from their "control" or "mastery".
In Somatics, people are encouraged to listen to their body's message, to fully embrace their breathing patterns, to go into their movement style and to be mindful of the insights that result from compassion with the physical sensations and the movement of the body.
Body awareness, anatomy, sensory and kinesthetic education and non-verbal communication are the basis of therapeutic insights, emotional clarity and helpful solutions.
Immense healing potential is activated through silent and compassionate trust in body processes without one trying to control them through pictures, affirmations or programming strategies.
On the somatic path sensation and feeling, breathing, posture and movement, touch and encounter are the decisive factors in the search for wisdom,meaning and spiritual growth.
From the beginning, the various branches of somatics had in common the emphasis on the systematic cultivation of non-verbal skills, in particular refined methods of touching (hands-on), breathing and movement training.

The field of Somatics represents a variety of approaches to the process of awakening awareness of the soma in movement.
Teachers guide individuals and groups into inner experiences of their bodies, deepening the clients’ understanding of themselves in motion.