Somatic Movement Beginner’s Course
Our Somatic Movement beginner’s course will give you a grounding in the approach, including the basis of the theory underpinning the practice, and experiencing a range of Somatics movements.
The foundation of the course is 4 practical sessions, of approximately 1 hour each.
In addition, you will have access to a range of supportive materials, including short recordings to enhance your learning and practice.
There are 3 ways to access our beginner’s course (scroll down to the ‘Options’ descriptions for further details):
Content
All versions of the course provide the following:
Option 1: The online, pre-recorded course
Get all of the resources as described above, to access in your own time, at your own pace.
Investment: £30.
Option 2: The live, online course
All of the above resources, plus the 4 beginner’s classes delivered live, online.
(For dates of upcoming courses, please visit the calendar page on the website.)
Time in class for sharing experiences/asking questions.
Investment: £40 / £45 / £50 (chooose your price).
Option 3: The live, in-person course
All of the above resources, plus the 4 beginner’s classes delivered live, online.
(For dates of upcoming courses, please visit the calendar page on the website.)
Time in class for sharing experiences/asking questions.
Investment: £50.
You can also sign up to my newsletter to be kept informed of upcoming course dates.
What you will learn
Pre-requisites:
None.
Requirements:
Recorded course: preferably a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted; room to lie on the floor (carpet or exercise mat) and spread arms and legs out; ability to get down to/up from the floor to do the practice (this can be using a chair etc for support if needed); ability to lie on your back (this could be propped with cushions if needs be); intention to create space to practise between sessions (optional, but recommended!).
Live, online course: preferably a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted; room to lie on the floor (carpet or exercise mat) and spread arms and legs out; Zoom (free download); ability to position the camera so I can see most or all of your body when you are lying on the floor (or at the very least your torso) (optional, but recommended!); ability to get down to/up from the floor to do the practice (this can be using a chair etc for support if needed); ability to lie on your back (this could be propped with cushions if needs be); intention to create space to practise between sessions (optional, but recommended!).
Live, in-person course: ability to get down to/up from the floor to do the practice (this can be using a chair etc for support if needed); ability to lie on your back (this could be propped with cushions if needs be); intention to create space to practise between sessions (optional, but recommended!).
Please get in touch if you are unsure about any of these requirements.
Please note, this group course gives a basic grounding in the approach, and enables you to continue to practise for yourself at home, or to join our ongoing membership after the course - to address specific or complex issues, please get in touch to enquire about 1:1 sessions.
Somatic Movement
Somatic Movement is a gentle modality, originally developed by Thomas Hanna, which retrains your nervous system to overcome chronic pain caused by trauma, stress, injury or habits. It is a slow, conscious form of physical movement, and is suitable for all abilities. It is also a wonderful way to become more aware of your internal sensations, which is essential for learning new patterns. For more information about what Somatics is and how it works, you can visit this page, or of course you can contact us if you have questions.
Benefits of Somatics:
Reducing chronic pain
Improving posture
Increasing body awareness
Retraining movement patterns
Settling the nervous system
Improving breathing patterns
Increasing sense of grounding and relaxation
Ability to move more freely
Increasing ability to attend effectively to the body’s needs
Lowering the chance of recurring injuries
Re-educating the nervous system in better stillness and movement patterns
Reducing stress and anxiety
Improving range of movement
Alleviating or preventing many functional conditions
Preventing joint degeneration
Learning an empowering practice
About Emilie
I am certified to deliver Somatic Movement education classes, in the tradition of Thomas Hanna. I am a Somatic Movement Center® Certified Exercise Instructor (level 3) (through Sarah Warren’s Somatic Movement Center training), and a certified Essential Somatics Movement Teacher (through Martha Peterson’s Essential Somatics training).
“Thank you so much Emilie, I loved it! I never expected to feel so relaxed afterwards. I really enjoyed listening to your recording last night to practice. I’m loving how much concentration and focus it needs to I work out how to do the pandiculation. It’s enough to engage my mind so I’m not away with thinking/worrying and the combination of this and the deep connection with the body seem to allow my system to relax which is really rare. I’m excited to see the effect of the practice on pain and flexibility too.”
“This week I noticed a new internal sensation when I get angry (I feel a tight band of muscles constrict around my upper chest, under my arms). I was quite surprised to feel it! This is great because I can make a mental note to watch for that sensation as a trigger that it’s time to be more intentionally mindful and step away if needed.”
“Thank you Emilie, it’s just been a real revelation, and such a door opening on a whole new sort of physical, mental healing opportunity, so I’m so grateful, just thanks so so much, it’s been brilliant.”
“I’ve really enjoyed connecting with you all and I feel a lot of optimism about the power of CS [Clinical Somatics] to help with ongoing pain and also with my work around calming my nervous system! Thank you for your work in bringing this information to the world.”
“I think your descriptions are so clear - that’s what I’m impressed by, I don’t have to look at you or see what you’re doing, it’s so easy to follow you.”
“You have obviously put so much thought and effort into the course and it really paid off, I felt in very safe hands. I’ve learnt so much, in such a short space of time, but I never felt hurried. Thanks again, it was a great experience.”
“I’ve really noticed a difference, like just that Standing Awareness, and how I might use it in normal things I’m doing - I realise I am checking with my body more. And that’s one of the things I really wanted to get from this, that’s great - even if it’s just a small step forward it feels really positive.”
“I went into the course feeling hopeful. I trust Emilie’s opinion and value her expertise and experience. I wasn’t disappointed! Although life has gotten in the way of me really using the Clinical Somatics exercises regularly, I still felt a huge shift in various ways as a result of participating in the class. I probably only practiced 8 times in 6 weeks. Each time I felt centred, grounded and more connected in to my own feelings and experience. My awareness of my body has really developed. Particularly my awareness of my posture, which is slowly improving. I’ve also found that I’m more able to notice sensations that might be a hint for me to step back from hard situations right at that moment - which has been very helpful! Emilie is a great facilitator, very knowledgeable and trauma informed, with a real focus on participants honouring our own needs and experience. Thank you Emilie, I’m so glad I did the course and I look forward to getting a regular practice going soon and reaping the benefits :) "
“Thank you so much for these past 6 weeks or so. I found the classes to be exactly what I needed to make me stop and take the time to tune in to my body. The exercises seem simple yet there is so much to them and I appreciate the awareness I have been developing to the nuances of the way my body moves. It is like making friends with a stranger, a stranger I often perceive as scary… yet she’s not! I can feel the difference this is making to being able to connect with myself. It’s hard to put into words. You are an awesome instructor/facilitator. I always felt like no question was a stupid question and I felt really safe in your hands. I have been recommending you and will continue to do so. I feel like your classes are a beautiful entry point for parents who are disconnected from themselves and resistant to body awareness. Love that you’re doing this!”