What is SomaYoga?

SomaYoga was developed by Ann Maxwell and Molly McManus in Minnesota as a form of therapeutic yoga that is accessible to anyone. Part of what makes SomaYoga unique is the inclusion of the theory and physical practices of somatics, as popularized by Thomas Hanna.

What is Somatic Movement?

The term somatic stems from the root word soma: Greek word for “body,” and the suffix, atic: “of the nature of the thing specified.” Somatics can thus be interpreted as: observing the nature of the body. Thomas Hanna, a movement therapist and philosopher, is credited with popularizing this term after exploring other forms of mindful movement, including Feldenkrais, and eventually devising his own system. He and his wife, Eleanor Hanna, authored several publications on their exploration of mind-body control, neural connections, biofeedback and more. Hanna’s research into mindful movement spawned the creation of intentional controlled and conscious movements meant to reestablish the mind-body connection and restore and balance the body. Among the physical practices employed are deliberate and gentle muscle contractions, known as pandiculations, to reconnect mind to muscle and bring balance back to the body.

What do you mean by “balance the body”?

Our bodies seek the path of least resistance and when a muscle is already strong, whether it be from overuse or compensating for another weak or damaged muscle, the body continues to rely on it to take on more work. Over time this means that muscle continues to take on more and more, while the other muscles continue to weaken. This can result in muscles pulling on ligaments and joints and literally making the body off balance. Teaching chronically contracted muscles to relax allows other muscles to participate and bring balance back to the body.

Why do we need to “re-educate” the body?

The human body is extremely efficient. The brain assumes that these overtaxed muscles know what they’re doing and lets them do their thing so it can focus instead on wherever we consciously deem to be more important—like work, relationships, perhaps reading up on Somatics😊. This might result in the brain “forgetting” about the muscle. The great news is that we have control over where we direct our attention. When you consciously move a muscle with intention, you reaffirm your control of the muscle and tune in the brain so it can receive more information, like, “Hey, I’m really tired of carrying all this weight” and react by letting the muscle relax and allow other muscles to take on more work.

But I have so much on my mind & it’s hard for me to focus without my mind wandering. How can I control the muscles when I can’t even control my mind?

Me too! Most of us have wandering minds. Our brains are constantly looking out for us: alerting us to danger, finding food and protection, connecting us with our pack. Just like the body doing it’s best to be as efficient as possible, the conscious mind is eager to help us and is constantly processing information meant to help us survive. It is so constant that we often don’t even notice it until we try to stop it. That is where yoga comes in!

You are probably familiar with the physical practice of yoga; the poses you see in yoga classes are called asanas. But did you know that asanas are only one part of yoga? Yoga is a wisdom tradition consisting of eight parts, or “limbs.” A significant aspect of yoga is on training and disciplining the mind through observation, awareness, and meditation. This is all about practice. Just like we continuously need to eat to replenish energy stores, we continuously practice yoga to replenish our mind-body connection. You wouldn’t just eat a good meal and feel full for life. Likewise, yoga is ongoing fuel for the mind, body, and spirit.

What if I am afraid of tapping into parts of the body that are in pain or that store trauma?

You aren’t alone. It’s natural to feel fear about feeling pain or discomfort. Know that you are never required to get into any physical position; you are in complete control of your experience and can pull back and just imagine the movement and still get benefits! Plus, this practice helps you to tune in to other parts of the body that are often quiet. By training your mind to listen to other parts of the body, you indirectly train your mind to stop focusing on the discomfort. For example, if you keep thinking “I don’t want to feel my back pain,” aren’t you still thinking about back pain? However, if you instead give your full attention to another part of your body, you are directing your attention elsewhere and might find that over time that you are not only more in tune with your body, but also thinking about pain much less.

Is SomaYoga just for people with chronic conditions?

Nope, SomaYoga is for everyone! Experienced yogis can benefit from SomaYoga by experiencing a pose through both a different physical and theoretical lens. We often get used to a routine and stop thinking about it. Kind of like riding a bike—you can focus on staying on your path rather than concentrate on each pedal stroke. Those who practice yoga regularly will sometimes hear the name of a pose and make their way into it without thinking. That gives space for that conscious mind to start sneaking in and has you thinking about your future to-do list or repeat that conversation from the past in your head instead. SomaYoga gives you the opportunity to listen to your body differently, but also to rethink about the purpose or the significance of a pose. For example, if you practice frequently, how often have you even thought about a camel in ustrasana (camel pose), or an eagle in garudasana (eagle pose)?

Another way SomaYoga is useful is that it teaches us patience. For many that prefer more intense versions of yoga or exercise, SomaYoga can feel…well, boring. The mind might wander, you might be wanting to get that invigorating sensation of a pose that you are used to, or you might get frustrated if you aren’t getting much feedback from your body. Although you might not get that same sense of self-accomplishment that comes from achieving that fancy looking arm balance, or leave the class feeling like you got a good workout—you are reaping benefits that can be applied to all aspects of your life; including make it safer for you to practice more intense forms of physical exertion in the long run.

By practicing the traditions of yoga with the conscious movement of somatics, we can begin to reconnect our mind to body, finding new pathways to awareness and learning about all aspects of ourselves along the way. Whether you are new to yoga or a long-time lover of the practice, it is worth giving SomaYoga a try! For more information, check out the helpful links below and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up-to-date with my schedule and try out a class. Need more info? Email me or sign up for your free consultation.

I look forward to practicing with you,

Amandalee

Helpful links:

SomaYoga Institute

Yoga North International SomaYoga Institute