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photo by S. Mishin
What is Somatic Integrative Bodywork and how is it different from massage?
Somatic Integrative Bodywork is a synthesis of experience-centered techniques and approaches which has evolved in the last 30 years and integrates body and mind using awareness and dialogue as major tools. Gentle manipulation of tissues and fluids combined with directing client's attention and breath to the area of discomfort are the beginning of our journey.
In a traditional massage session clients remain passive receiving the treatment and being worked on. In Somatic Bodywork the experience of the client is an important source of information. The active attention of the client is a primary instrument for producing change in the situation. By bringing awareness of the client to the place in the body where the stagnation or disconnection happened it is possible to change the way the bodymind operates and therefore initiate and support the healing process.
The way each person experiences pain and discomfort is very different, even though we all know and understand the words pain and discomfort. In Somatics we study those sensations and feelings as they had consciousness. Clients are encouraged to verbalize their sensations, move from them and observe what is happening there inviting the wisdom of the whole body to bring those areas back into the whole. Somatic practitioner may use other scientific information, but the subject's own experience is central.
Somatic practitioners are trained to access different tissues and organs in the body by applying different quality and rhythm of touch, imprinting rhythm and pressure patterns in the nervous system and stimulating different aspects of the body functioning. Often by contacting those aspects the body awakens those areas that were dormant and the process of self-healing gradually unfolds. It is important that these new experiences of the awaken parts will be supported by client's awareness. For the change to continue on a profound level integration with mind and feelings needs to happen.
After the experience is felt, processed and named the client is being informed if appropriate about other options for using the body in a way that would help with the issue.
Normally in Somatic Bodywork session clients begin on a padded floor remaining comfortably dressed to be ready to incorporate new sensations and discoveries into movement. This way we can work from stillness to movement. In some cases it is appropriate to combine work on the floor and table work but fully undressing is usually unnecessary.
About . Massage . Somatic Bodywork . Book appointment . Rates . Location . Links . Contact