Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health

In his book Somatics, Thomas Hanna, Ph.D. tackles the medical assumption that pain and degeneration are the inevitable result of the aging process. Not only that, he offers a simple plan to recover lost flexibility, balance, and posture. His exercises, he assures us, will bring us back into connection with our lost mobility while reducing pain and discomfort. It almost sounds too good to be true. But is it? Most people suffer from pain and discomfort at some point in their lives. When this follows an injury, it is easy to watch the play of cause and effect. This can allow us some feeling of control during our healing process as we regain lost function and strength. When we don't know why we hurt, we can feel like victims of our own bodies. When we ask our doctors for help, they offer drugs for pain, and tell us to buck up and accept our lot. We are growing older, after all. What else should we expect? Everyone knows that bodies wear out eventually. Hanna challenges this idea. He points out that although this is true for many people today, there are also many circumstances in which people maintain function and vitality right up to the very end. Gerontologists call this "successful aging." Rather than dismiss such cases as oddities, Hanna thinks we should embrace them as possibilities, and learn how to make our own lives turn out like theirs. Five case studies are reviewed in the course of the book. In each case, through guided movements, flexibility is restored and pain is alleviated. Several of the cases are quite extraordinary; one woman regained the use of her frozen shoulder after just one treatment, despite almost two unsuccessful years of conventional treatment. Another case involved a man who had not been able to straighten his knee for almost two years. He rediscovered how to control what he had once given up as lost. Although Somatics is full of information for the professional, it is very accessible to the lay reader as well. He uses clear language that anyone can understand. After describing commonly seen habits of movement, he gives us the keys to unlock our own blockages through simple exercises that almost anyone can do. These slow movements rebalance our structure by bringing awareness to the way we actually move our bodies, and teach us how to develop more balanced ways of moving. The final chapter includes his basic movement explorations. His exercises are simple, mild, and brief. He offers a series of lessons, in which the reader may explore different areas of the body. By encouraging the reader to reacquaint themselves with their movements, he invites us to take our own steps on this healing path. And if my brief explorations with this work are any guide, change really is possible. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to find a new sense of vitality, movement, and freedom in their body. And really, who isn't? see more of my reviews and shop on amazon at [...]

Great information in this book! Somatics is a real concept explained and with excercises--EXCELLENT!

Through this book Tom Hanna first presents a shocking but entirely welcome response to the widely held belief that the dis-eases associated with aging are inevitable: they are not only avoidable but reversible! Next, Hanna shares case studies from his clinical experience that evidence this. Throughout the main text Hanna's claims are proven more than credible by solid scientific support: by his references of clinical studies and common physiological (and psychoneuroimmunological) processes. The book ends with preparation for and full detail (including helpful photographs) of the Somatic Exercises Hanna set down in order that EVERY person could make the changes he detailed in the earlier sections of the book. These Exercises are not traditional strenuous aerobic exercises but a series of movements done gently and slowly with attention to the inner sensations that arise with the movements. It is this attention to one's internal sensory-motor process (with emphasis on the relaxation half of movement) that allows the profound improvements in posture, muscle control and general physiological-psychological ("Somatic") function. Learning through doing these sets of movements and then daily practicing the streamlined summary "Cat Stretch" 7-part sequence of maintenance movements will enable any person to unlearn their constricted habits of movement and behavior while opening to greater and greater increase of relaxation, flexibility, range of motion and freedom from pain. The widespread application of this information has the potential to significantly decrease the cost-per-person of healthcare and dramatically increase the well-being of every human being on the planet. Let's keep the news moving! For even more information and to make appointments for sessions with a practitioner like those described in the case studies in this book, the following Websites will prove very useful: [...] and [...].

For content, I give Hannah's book 5 stars. His essays are straightforward, the science behind his approach makes sense, and all of the exercises seem safe and well tested. For usability, however, give it a 3. Frankly, it is difficult to learn somatic exercises from a book unless you already know what you are doing. And the illustrations in this paperback are poor quality. I worked with this book for some time feeling no results because I was not doing the exercises correctly. That being said, I give Hannah's book a sum of 4 stars because there is an art and intelligence to somatics hard to find elsewhere, it's very affordable, and quite useful when accompanied by supplementary materials. I highly recommend purchasing the downloadable audio guides called "The Cat Stretches" by Hannah's student, Lawrence Gold, to accompany this book. It is so much easier to do the exercises correctly with a professional talking you through. You won't have to stop constantly to read, which allows you to move through the lessons faster with greater concentration. Most importantly, the audio lessons establish an effective pace for the exercises. Pacing is key to moving somatically, which is quite unlike typical stretching or strength training you will get from your physical therapist. Done correctly, somatic movement feels like the kind of "stretch" you might do with a great big yawn in bed when you wake up in the morning. There is stretching aspect, but not in the common sense of holding muscle in a lengthened position (the word "stretch" seems to be an obstacle for the somatic instructors to the point they will say "no stretching", which is more confusing than helpful). Equally important is the contracting aspect, through which the brain (re-)learns how to exert voluntary control over muscles that may be chronically tight due to stress or trauma, or weak due to lack of use. That's the gist of it. The cat stretch series developed by Thomas Hannah will balance out the body for better posture and improved walking. Once you learn the basic cat stretch program, you can find more specific exercises to your condition online from Hannah's students, Lawrence Gold and Martha Peterson, both of whom provide coaching (though I have done a coaching myself). You can even develop your own exercises. And you can find opportunities to move more somatically in other activities. I took my time to work through the lessons (abut 6 months) with the help of Lawrence Gold's audio coaching. Now I spend about 30-40 minutes a day doing somatic exercises. In time I expected to reduce my practice to 15 minutes. Normal people, who aren't dealing with a very old trauma response like I am, should be able to work through the lessons in 8-12 weeks, as suggested. FYI. Martha Peterson, who was also a student of Hannah, has updated Hannah's Somatics with much better illustrations. However, a book is still a book, with all the difficulties of having to stop frequently to read until you know the exercises, and the inability to articulate pacing in words. Peterson has some good video clips online to illustrate how this all works. She also offers a DVD, which could be useful in the way I found Gold's audio program useful. I don't have her video. But, for me, I am still partial to audio because it is very relaxing, and once you get going you won't be watching a video anyway. I have found very useful tips in Peterson's book. But, in either case, Hannah or Peterson, a book serves well as an introduction and reference, not an effective manual for beginners.

When I retired, I spent more time gardening than when I was working. My back started bothering me, so I came across this book. It has really helped me to develop core muscles to support my back. I purchased this book quite a while ago and still use the daily "cat stretch" to keep in shape.

I had chronic myofascial pain in the lower back and glute region. I essentially "cured" it using many plant supplements (lots of flavonoids, higher vitamin C, etc.) as well as various exercises including TRX core suspension exercises and all manner of Pilates reformer exercises (especially Pikes, crunches for psoas; just about any exercise / pose that works the hip flexors & core or the back (Running man / crunches / flamingo / inverted handstands on balls, etc.). However, I became interested in Somatics because I could sense some inability to fully relax due to chronic pain / pain sensitization. I sometimes still find myself inadvertently tensed up or in a bad posture and think Somatics could be helpful regarding becoming more aware of my body. In a sense, I work my version of Somatics concepts (especially the relaxation and sense where you have tension parts) into my own rehab exercise routine. That is, also do all these movements slow, with control, deep breathing and also with proper relaxation between reps (like Somatics says). I have to say that I thought the illustrations were OK, even with the wooden model. Once you know how to do the exercises you will perhaps not need to reread the instructions. Last, a comment about posture. A lot of Somatics focuses on proper posture. Pete Egoscue also has a very good book about "The Egoscue method of Health through motion" where he identifies 4 basic standing postures. One is ideal and the other 3 are dysfunctional (sometimes two are combined). Then he has particular exercises to correct the dysfunctional postures. People with Severe posture issues might want to try that as well as Somatics. The two are similar – but Hanna uses the green light / red light posture concept. I liked this book and the case studies and the explanations. Hanna has older versions of his work and you can also visit somaticed.com for more resources.

The information is well worth the read. I use it in my Pilates practice. BUT….The binding had several chapters upside down and out of order. I ordered but didn’t start reading for several months so I suppose I’m stuck. Flip through your book as soon as it arrives to made sure you don’t have a bad one.

A wise Pilates/Feldenkrais teacher introduced me to this book. Using "Somatics" I personally found relief from chronic lower lumbar pain, and got help retraining my gait and balance after a severe ankle injury.The book is simple to understand with sections for various problems. Somatics are a system of gentle movements - while breathing and mildly focusing (and sometimes simple "looking" in certain directions)- which through a combination of neuromuscular stimulation and the gentlest of stretches (no pain!) manages to to roll back years of stiffness, aid injury recovery, and significantly relieve some of the stresses of aging. Somatics is based on sound science, and Feldenkrais, yoga, and Pilates are related. But Somatics exercises - movements really - are even gentler, and smarter, No equipment but a towel or mat is needed. Any level of fitness can benefit, even someone in a wheelchair or bedridden can do some of the movements. If you have the patience and interest, I suggest reading the book and working through every single exercise presented, which is what I did coming back from traumatic injury. Some will "speak to you", and you'll incorporate them later into daily practice. If you lack the patience or the time for this, the book is still valuable for its simple "CAT STRETCH" a five minute series of gentle movements which gently moves the whole body and seem to me like "the fountain of youth" . I do the cat stretch twice a day - on arising and before bed. I could not recommend this book and Somatics in general more highly. Your back, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck will thank you!!!! And so will your friends when you pass this book along!

Interessantissimo libro di esercizi di yoga somatico corredati da una bella carrellata di presentazione, approfondimento e studio di diversi casi affrontati da Hanna. Raccontando i casi che gli si sono presentati ha modo di esporre un ventaglio di tipologie di posture scorrette, le loro cause e soprattutto come curarle. Bello il modo in cui le tematiche sono affrontate: con andamento anche ironico e leggero. Lo sto ancora leggendo ma lo consiglio. Nota negativa per la bassa qualità dell'edizione, la copertina è fragile e si è rovinata in poco tempo. In generale poca qualità e accuratezza. Peccato! Questo libro meriterebbe una veste migliore.

Very clear and concise idea on Somatics and how taking care of the currect movements can create health and longevity. Unlike a lot of books heavy on theory and about what is the bodily events, Thomas Hanna created a separate section with the Somatic Exercises! And this section is priceless!!!

Just the best book on Somatic Movement education. Easy read, very descriptive. Highly recommend

This book is a must for someone wishing to delve deeper into their fitness; the idea that fitness begins with our sensing of our bodies, first from the inside. It's about opening our bodies on the inside, to then be able to move freely, our outside bodies. Particularly if there are physical challenges due to mobility issues; this book is a complete guide to safe, effective total body movements to teach and bring about well-being. I have purchased this book for several other friends; we all agree it's a find and understandable and adaptable.

Livre reçu dans les délais et en très bon état, le sujet est inédit en France, l'analyse des problèmes de dos et que l'on écrit dû à l'age est pour moi très juste, j'ai fait les exercices proposés et cela a marché.