Download What is Somatics? Prime Somatics is a movement based therapy

What is Somatics?
Prime Somatics is a movement based therapy that asks us to observe from within those areas of our body
where we feel freedom of movement and those areas where we feel restricted due to chronic tension.
Working from the center of the body – the core – we begin to release the large muscles through a
sequence of gentle movements. These movements are based on a series of patterns that are seen in the
body. These patterns are strong reflexes that are “hard-wired” into the sensory-motor nervous system and
have evolved over time.
Sensory Motor Amnesia
Somatics treats Sensory Motor Amnesia –
a condition in which muscles have become chronically contracted and are not able to relax because the
brain has surrendered control of the muscle to the subconscious mind. Not only have we forgotten how to
release these muscles, often we are not even aware that the contractions exist.
How Did I Get Sensory Motor Amnesia?
We are born with the inherent ability to control our muscles – to both relax and contract them.
Circumstances, such as injury, surgery, or stress can cause us to surrender control of certain muscles to
the sub-cortex or sub-conscious mind. We don’t notice this at first, because we are busy living our lives.
It is usually not until pain appears and begins to interfere with our activities that we start to pay attention.
Structure vs. Function
By the time our pain causes us to seek treatment, often the problem is viewed as a structural issue
requiring surgery or long term management with pain medications or other means.
Many people have different structures.
This might be one leg shorter than the other, an extra vertebra in their lumbar spine, or even a missing
limb. Although these structural differences may affect how their body functions – everyone can use
Somatics to maximize their potential.
Often, the real issue is functional – that is, the pain is caused by the way we are using our muscles (or not
using our muscles). It is very difficult to change structure, but with Somatics, you can change function in
a matter of minutes.
How Do We Change Function?
We do this by voluntarily engaging the contracted muscle and then slowly releasing it. More importantly we do this with the full attention of our conscious mind or cortex. This allows us to take back control of
the muscle and deepen the sensory-motor pathway that lets us relax a muscle when it is not being used.
Only you can make these changes by being engaged in the process.
Why is Somatics Different?
Traditional therapies often begin with strengthening (which layers tension over already contracted
muscles) or stretching (which activates stretch reflex – a natural reflex that results in heightened tension
levels). Somatics uses other natural mechanisms of the central nervous system to voluntarily release
muscles from within. Somatics can help everyone attain a new freedom in their bodies and function at
their best.