Are you experiencing neck and shoulder pain, low back ache, sciatica, muscle tension, insomnia, headaches, or general stiffness that you assume is just a part of aging? If you have these or other signs of musculoskeletal discomfort, Hanna Somatic Education may be the perfect practice for you. It trains your mind and body to move freely, without pain. Many of us don’t realize the degree to which learned muscular patterns of contraction (in response to stress or injury) can cause chronic pain, stiffness, achiness, and fatigue. Our brains forget how to sense our bodily experience. If we discover how to release contractions, we can overcome this motor sensory amnesia, restore freedom of movement, and keep our bodies healthy for years to come.  I like to think of Somatic Education as “micro-mini” Viniyoga because there are so many similarities between the two practices:

  • In Hanna Somatic Education, movements are slow, gentle, and tailored to your particular needs. You will never be asked to do any movement that causes pain;

  • Hanna Somatic Education puts you in control: you have the capacity to heal yourself and release neuromuscular pain through observation, awareness, and diligent practice;

  • The movement sequences you learn will help you to sense your body as balanced and whole, not as an assemblage of broken parts—the practice encourages “right relationship” between bones, joints, connective tissue, and muscles;

  • Hanna Somatic Education can improve posture, coordination, mobility, and strength, thus serving as a support for all your activities of daily living and the pastimes you enjoy, whether that’s running, hiking, swimming, cycling, dancing, yoga, or just taking a leisurely stroll;

  • The movements hone your attention and foster connection to easeful breathing. Many of my students describe their Hanna Somatic practice as a “moving meditation.”

As a certified Hanna Somatic Educator® and instructor of somatic exercises, I can help you identify and release the chronic contraction that may be the root cause of your pain.  Developing a more accurate sense of your body and relearning muscle control can have a profound impact on your activities of daily living and on your mind. Freedom of movement opens you up to pathways and discoveries you didn’t even know were possible. Hanna Somatic Education, like Ayurveda and Yoga, helps us tap into our innate wisdom to heal and flourish. 

The Process:

  • Initial Intake: 1 ½ to 2 hour private session during which time we’ll discuss your current concerns and health history, followed by a physical assessment and an initial guided series of movements to release tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, and improve coordination and function. 

  • At the end of your first session, you’ll receive a short, self-care program of specific exercises to do daily at home that will help prevent any recurrence of problems. Consistent daily practice  is the key to moving without pain.

  • Follow ups: I recommend committing to several sessions and then re-evaluating your progress. Remember, the goal is to empower you to practice on your own to stay pain-free.

"Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding, the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated as birdwings."

--Rumi