Soma Bodywork
What is Soma?
Soma Structural Integration® is a form of holistic deep tissue bodywork along with gentle movement re-education that assists in freeing the body's tensions, compensation patterns, and restrictions resulting in mind and body re-connection. You are invited to actively participate together with your Soma Practitioner to access your body's unique innate healing wisdom in order to return to a balanced and integrated state of optimal functioning and re-alignment in gravity. The Soma Structural Integration® journey unwinds that which is not working in order to create expansive space for opportunity, freedom, rejuvenation, and the healthy return to living joyfully in the body!
Ways to experience Soma:
- The 11 Session Soma Series
- Somassage®
- Soma Treatment Session
Soma Structural Integration® Series
11 Session Soma Series (or stand-alone sessions)
The most effective way to experience Soma is through the 11 session series but can also be beneficial as a stand-alone session. The series utilizes a systematic approach to realigning and rebalancing the structure of the body by helping to free up restrictions in the fascial (a type of connective tissue) system resulting in a better relationship to gravity's effects. Each session progressively builds upon the last with the goal of harmonizing and balancing the whole body. The combination of slow and steady deep tissue therapy, gentle movement exercises, and reflective journaling in between sessions all contribute to the unfolding, expansion, and connection of mind, body, and spirit.
Session 1 ~ Freeing the Breath
- Area of Focus: Free the superficial tissues of the ribcage, lengthen the lower back.
- Benefits: Better breathing, feeling more space and mobility in the torso, better posture, feeling lighter and a greater sense of wellbeing. Can be a stand-alone treatment session.
Session 2 ~ Grounding the Feet and Legs - Foundation
- Area of Focus: Free the tissues of the legs and feet.
- Benefits: Improved ankle and foot stability, feeling more grounded and in touch with reality, increased flexibility and sensation in feet. Can be a stand-alone treatment session.
Session 3 ~ Freeing the Sidelines
- Area of Focus: Lengthen the sides of the body, free the tissues of the lower back/pelvis, ribcage, and shoulder girdle.
- Benefits: Deeper expanded breathing, more energy, and better ability to relax.
Sessions 4-6 ~ The Core
- Area of Focus: Adjust and lengthen the vertical center line, or "core", of the body. Free the tissues of the pelvis from above, below, front, and back.
- Benefits: Better balance, coordination, and freedom of movement. Efficient use of energy for walking and movement.
Session 7 ~ The Head, Neck, and Jaw
- Area of Focus: Free the tissues of the head, neck, face, and jaw. Includes Intraoral/intranasal work.
- Benefits: More softened and relaxed appearance of the face, with increased feelings of self-reliance and personal power. Good for headaches and TMJ issues. Can be a stand-alone treatment session.
Sessions 8-9 ~ Integration of Upper Body and Lower Body
- Area of Focus: Integrate the whole body in a new and more efficient manner.
- Benefits: Less stress, more awareness, and increased energy as the body's structure becomes better aligned with gravity.
Session 10 ~ Arms and Shoulders
- Area of Focus: Free and integrate the tissues of the arms and shoulder girdle.
- Benefits: A lighter experience in the arms, greater ease through the shoulders, an experience of more connection through the entire torso. Can be a stand-alone treatment session.
Session 11 ~ Final Integration - Joints
- Area of Focus: Further integration of the whole body, creating space and lubrication in joints.
- Benefits: Feeling whole body balance, integration, connection, and better ease of movement.
Somassage®
A Full Body Soma Massage
This session combines Soma principals and deep tissue massage techniques for overall relaxation and restoration of energy. It is a wonderful introduction to Soma Structural Integration® for clients interested in experiencing Soma bodywork without committing to the full 11 session Soma series.
It is also a great tune-up or maintenance session for clients who have completed the series.
Soma Treatment
Support for Specific Areas or Issues
Using Soma Structural Integration® techniques, this session addresses specific areas of focus for acute or chronic injuries, pain issues, or general overall stress relief. Treatment work can result in immediate relief but is not as effective or long lasting as the Soma series for deeper and more chronic issues.
This session can be used for maintenance after the completion of the 11 session Soma series.