Somatic Movement Therapy
My Somatic Bodywork practice is a mind/body modality that encompasses a blending of many therapeutic approaches. At its roots, Somatics refers to the body, experienced from within, and encourages pyscho-physical healing through hands-on techniques, conscious movement practices (similar to yoga), and tools for greater awareness and alignment. My training as a Global Somatics™ Practitioner through Green River Dance for Global Somatics™ and based in the BodyMind Centering™ approach, is gentle yet profound – the body experiences physical, mental, emotional and spiritual integration through light cellular touch, deep embodied muscular pressure, sensing and toning bones, organs and fascia that interweave and compose the intricate body.
Assessing bodily alignment and engaging the breath and voice to find efficiency and balance may be one approach to finding release and healing. Attuning to the mindful state of each bodily system (i.e. bone, organ, fluid, fascia, ligamentous, fluid, endocrine, nervous, energy) can also inform our fluid alignment and movement. Allowing the body to move spontaneously, with awareness to alignment, breath, and body, frees tension and restrictions.
Developmental Movement Re-patterning for Infants, Children, and Adults
Combining this work with developmental movement re-patterning encourages a deeper level of growth. Developmental movement refers to the movement, perception and neurological responses that emerge and integrate from fetal development through the first year of life. The embodiment of these movements can be indicative of how effectively they were integrated at a young age. Adults as well as babies feeling bound in a mental, physical and/or emotional place may find healing and change through the movements of certain developmental patterns.
Prenatal and Postnatal
Pregnancy and Postpartum are very important times in a woman's life to practice self-care. I am a certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher and have completed "Special Populations: Pregnancy" through Centerpoint School of Massage and Shiatsu. Most sessions are focused on allowing the pregnant body to release, relax and find breath while passively resting on the massage table. Depending on the needs/desires of the client, I may incorporate applicable yoga poses or movement patterns into sessions with pregnant clients to release anxieties and reassure the natural trust we have for our bodies. Although I work with all pregnancies, women attempting VBACs (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) can find deep healing from past traumas and seek the opportunity for flexibility, strength and rest in their bodies, and ease in their emotions. A woman's body knows the path to birth. Affirming the body/mind connection and exploring the relationship between these two entities can be crucial for a safe and satisfying birth experience. Recovering from birth in the postpartum period is a sacred and important time for healing - emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
My postnatal clients find deep ease, rest and healing in their bodies through a newfound embodied connection with their very own self. I also focus on shoulder, neck and back pain caused from new positions in nursing and night wakings.
To learn more about somatic bodywork for pregnancy/birth, read my article "Somatic Bodywork for Pregnancy" in the Childbirth Collective's 10/14/13 blog post. Click here for the link.
Other Modalities
Along with the core principles of Somatics, I incorporate Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy (see below for more info), massage, alignment education, breath/voice awareness and Traditional Chinese Medicine into my sessions. I meet each client as a whole person – ready for change whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Clients often find relief ranging from musculoskeletal pain to emotional/mental overwhelm and stress.
Craniosacral Therapy
CST is a gentle hands-on modality that uses very light pressure to work with the craniosacral system - brain, spinal cord, dural tube, cerebralspinal fluid, and sacrum. Relief is found by navigating the nervous system and allowing the natural healing process to unfold.
I believe every body is perfect in its own imperfections – we all need to reengage with our ancient selves, our true natural bodies. It is here we find our center, a place we can grow limbs and reach out into our world with confidence, joy, and aptitude.
Sessions are facilitated with clothes on to enable free movement.
Resource Links
Global Somatics Process™
BodyMind Centering™
International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association, ISMETA
Assessing bodily alignment and engaging the breath and voice to find efficiency and balance may be one approach to finding release and healing. Attuning to the mindful state of each bodily system (i.e. bone, organ, fluid, fascia, ligamentous, fluid, endocrine, nervous, energy) can also inform our fluid alignment and movement. Allowing the body to move spontaneously, with awareness to alignment, breath, and body, frees tension and restrictions.
Developmental Movement Re-patterning for Infants, Children, and Adults
Combining this work with developmental movement re-patterning encourages a deeper level of growth. Developmental movement refers to the movement, perception and neurological responses that emerge and integrate from fetal development through the first year of life. The embodiment of these movements can be indicative of how effectively they were integrated at a young age. Adults as well as babies feeling bound in a mental, physical and/or emotional place may find healing and change through the movements of certain developmental patterns.
Prenatal and Postnatal
Pregnancy and Postpartum are very important times in a woman's life to practice self-care. I am a certified Prenatal Yoga Teacher and have completed "Special Populations: Pregnancy" through Centerpoint School of Massage and Shiatsu. Most sessions are focused on allowing the pregnant body to release, relax and find breath while passively resting on the massage table. Depending on the needs/desires of the client, I may incorporate applicable yoga poses or movement patterns into sessions with pregnant clients to release anxieties and reassure the natural trust we have for our bodies. Although I work with all pregnancies, women attempting VBACs (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) can find deep healing from past traumas and seek the opportunity for flexibility, strength and rest in their bodies, and ease in their emotions. A woman's body knows the path to birth. Affirming the body/mind connection and exploring the relationship between these two entities can be crucial for a safe and satisfying birth experience. Recovering from birth in the postpartum period is a sacred and important time for healing - emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
My postnatal clients find deep ease, rest and healing in their bodies through a newfound embodied connection with their very own self. I also focus on shoulder, neck and back pain caused from new positions in nursing and night wakings.
To learn more about somatic bodywork for pregnancy/birth, read my article "Somatic Bodywork for Pregnancy" in the Childbirth Collective's 10/14/13 blog post. Click here for the link.
Other Modalities
Along with the core principles of Somatics, I incorporate Reiki, Craniosacral Therapy (see below for more info), massage, alignment education, breath/voice awareness and Traditional Chinese Medicine into my sessions. I meet each client as a whole person – ready for change whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Clients often find relief ranging from musculoskeletal pain to emotional/mental overwhelm and stress.
Craniosacral Therapy
CST is a gentle hands-on modality that uses very light pressure to work with the craniosacral system - brain, spinal cord, dural tube, cerebralspinal fluid, and sacrum. Relief is found by navigating the nervous system and allowing the natural healing process to unfold.
I believe every body is perfect in its own imperfections – we all need to reengage with our ancient selves, our true natural bodies. It is here we find our center, a place we can grow limbs and reach out into our world with confidence, joy, and aptitude.
Sessions are facilitated with clothes on to enable free movement.
Resource Links
Global Somatics Process™
BodyMind Centering™
International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association, ISMETA
