SOMATIC EDUCATION AND THERAPY
The field of Somatic Movement Education and Therapy represents a variety of approaches to the process of awakening awareness of the human body, or soma, in movement. For further information, please visit the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association: www.ismeta.org
As a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist® and Somatic Educator, Sonja uses the folowing somatic modalities to help people prevent or recover from injuries, repattern their movement skills, enhance their performance capacity and find greater ease, wellbeing and personal growth in all aspects of their life.
Body-Mind Centering® is an embodied approach to movement, body and consciousness; a somatic education and therapy modality developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen. It is an experiential study based on the embodiment and application of anatomical, physiological, psychophysical and developmental principles, utilizing movement, touch, voice and mindfullness. www.bodymindcentering.com
Feldenkrais Method® developed by Feldenkrais is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning. It brings people in touch with their great capacity for learning and the awareness they need to change habits that lead to tension, stress, fatigue and pain. Through verbally led movement sequences “Awareness through Movement®” and a gentle individual hands-on form of tactile, kinesthetic communication “Functional Integration®”, we learn how we can improve our capabilities to function in our daily lives. www.feldenkrais.com
Jahara Acquatic Therapy® is an aquatic therapy method founded in body awareness, healthy body mechanics and the gentle power of warm water. This therapy not only increases mobility, flexibility and range of motion of joints and muscles, it also deeply relaxes the nervous system, allowing more ease of breath and energy flow in the body. Jahara's gradual, slow, continuous circular movements together with the warm water, bring about an overall sense of well-being and expansion. www.jahara.com
Anyone can benefit greatly from somatic education and therapy. People with chronic or acute pain, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and stroke have been helped by this work. Musicians, actors, dancers and artists have reported enhanced creativity and performance. Those struggling with perceptual, learning and emotional difficulties can find improvement. Spiritual challenges can resolve themselves.
For more information on group classes or to schedule an individual appointment, please call Sonja at 415.661.1852
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“In order to effect change, we start at the beginning and build gradually, successively and consciously to stimulate the development that occurs naturally when there are no restrictions. Then we redirect and recreate the process of effortless learning through acceptance, desire, curiosity, comfort and love.”
Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
“I have used Body Mind Centering in my piano playing and teaching for the past 30 years. Body awareness is a crucial element in my art; it is the tool through which I can realize my musical intentions. Without it, I would be prone to injury; with it, I have access to a treasure-cove of artistic possibilities. I like to work with the body systems as a stimulus for generating new interpretations, and I have especially enjoyed Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen’s work connecting the scapula to the fingers. Amazingly, that work correlates beautifully with Chopin’s ideas about piano playing. Being grounded in my body allows me to be expressive in my soul.”
Monica Jakuc Leverett
Elsie Irwin Sweeney Professor Emerita of Music
Smith College, Northampton, MA
"It is rare to find someone so skilled in Aquatic and Somatic Movement Therapies. Without this kind of treatment, my son Keith would possibly face a life on prescription muscle relaxants and surgeries."
Gail Kingston, Parent
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