Somatic movement is a neuromuscular re-education technique which teaches you to release and relax your muscles so that you can regain proper muscle function again. The movements are slow and gentle and promote sensory awareness to increase brain-muscle coordination. The exercises are performed consciously with the intention of focusing on the internal experience of the movement rather than the external appearance and are very helpful in improving body awareness.

Through a method of slowly contracting, releasing, lengthening and relaxing a muscle or group of muscles, you will re-educate your body to move in an efficient and pain-free way.

Based on the original teachings of Thomas Hanna, these exercises can change unhelpful learned muscular patterns. Some benefits of somatic movement methods are:

• A reduction of chronic pain

• Improvement in bodily function

• Recovery from common musculoskeletal conditions

• Increased flexibility and range of motion

• Reduction in muscular tension and awareness of unhealthy postural habits

• Heightened body awareness and reduction in stress and anxiety

Somatic movement is enormously beneficial for anyone:

• A perfect way to introduce yourself to exercise if you are new to fitness

• A useful tool to help improve the mind/body connection - beneficial for those who are already exercising in some way and want to improve their performance and focus

• The ideal way to aid recovery from injury or illness, including providing a bridge back to regular fitness levels

• Effective in helping clients prepare for class or cooldown

• The best choice for the aging client who is either finding regular exercise to be too aggressive/ineffective or the older client who is new to exercise

So what will you get on this course?

1. Manuals with information to introduce you to Somatic movement

2. 15 exercises to address every part of the body

3. A warm up "sensing" routine and a deep relaxation routine

4. The entire 1 hour class

5. Shorter class lesson plans