Hanna
somatic
Education
Reawaken
the Mind’s
Ability
to Control
Movement,
Flexibility,
and Health‘0 you have clients who
have tried everything to
get rid of pain, stiff mus-
cles, and deereased range of
motion in their joints? Have they
tried everything from stretching to
engthening, undergone treat
ment after treatment, and finally a
doctor has recommended medica
tion to free them from the pain
‘they've felt for years?
Intuitively, as a practitioner, you
“know there is a hetter way for
your clients to regain their former
selves. Regardless of how they
hhave come upon their pain or stiff
ness from injuries, past or current
health issues, or stress-related
traumas, SomaticEducation
Regardless of how
they have come upon
their pain or stiffness
from injuries, past or
current health issues,
or stress-related
traumas, Hanna
Somatic Education
may be the answer
for them.
produce certain movement patterns
to maintain a contemporary external
environment, Bones will heal and all
of the soft tissues will repair them
selves over time, but the altered
movement patterns will remain.
HSE addresses “stuck” movement
patterns in an attempt to reinstate
a sense of well-being.
What is Hanna Somatic
Education?
pon first view, HSE looks like
any other discipline within the
somatic realm. The client lies com:
fortably on a table with loose-fitting
clothes to facilitate easy movements,
A practitioner of HSE (called Hanna
Somatic Educators) sits or stands by
(HSE) may be the answer.
‘of injury, trauma, or change in health status, that the
central nervous system is involved. The extent of the
‘involvement depends on the type and severity of the
‘injury. Whel
whether it is bone, tendon, ligament, cartilage or a
disruption of feedback
turbance of nervous
sory
1 environ
as the client is given gentle and var-
ied sensory feedback through touch
and verbal encouragement as they
explore certain movement patterns. These movement
patterns have been previously identified by the educator
in a postural intake or screening. The movements are
specific, natural, gentle, safe, and pain-free to allow thi
client to maintain complete control. At this point, sim
larities to other somatic modalit
HSE is “brain” work
cough thei
of mov
As human beings progress
ives, they develop very specific patterns
ent based on necessity, In movement they use
their skeletons as support for the muscles to propel them
forward, or in any other direction they choose, The cen:
tral nervous system supplies the plannit
heme, and nervous impulses to guide and direct the
s. The brain then sorts through informatio sent68
SOMATICS (50 ma’
tiks) n. pl. (construed as
singular) 1. The art and
science of the interrela-
tional process between
awareness, biological
function and environ-
ment, all three factors
being understood as a
synergistic whole: The
field of somatics. 2. The
study of the soma, soma
being the biological body
of functions by which
and through which
awareness and environ-
ment are mediated. It is
understood that the
word “soma” designates
any living organism, ani-
mal or plant. It is also
understood that all such
somas have, to some
degree, the capacity for
awareness (sensorium)
of the environment and
intentional action
(motorium) in the envi-
ronment. 3. In common
usage, somatics relates
to somas of the human
species, whose sensoria
and motoria are relative-
ly free from the deter-
mination of genetically
fixed behavior patterns,
thus allowing learning to
determine the interrela-
tional process between
awareness, biological
function and environ-
ment. [Greek, somatikos,
soma, somat — body.
French, Somatique,]
—Thomas Hanna
When th
pens, the brai
motor program and applie
ryday task
pain, stiffiness, ot loss of
ss has been termed Sensi
(sma) by
nd is specifically d
HSE lessons,
in a de
nusculoskeletal system wo
Through this dialogue, m
outines are simplified t¢
i. The beaut
the client is actually a
nd must actively contri
session instead c
yecome an integral part ¢
son can add to the €
penefits, but can also
self-balanced
reflex” that
scular sys
efficien
and
letal
lop
jopmen:
holdin,
f HSE is that
warticipant
ate to the
SMA
MASSAGE & BODYWORK *
Photo | — Postural presentation
of the red light reflex.
by Erin Murdoch
Postural Evaluation with
Hanna Somatic Education
eflexive postived threat, and is pres- light refle
types of vertebrates, as on the bod
s some non-vertebrates, a posture no
id P junction of stiff muse
jon and survival with ar shallow brea
jcularly human: tion from incr
lex is very fast, ot scious bladder, ir
and controlled by th ed blood pressu
Ifa loud sound is made painful joi
(ie, a car backfiring on a The red |
ct, slamming of a door, etc.) the in specific muse
present when viewed will contract, the eyes will ery distinct pattern
nding. During a postural intak lose, the shoulders will rise up works with .
a client's som: wed from th foward the ears, and the head will groups using certain
both sides, and the rear h t forward. The neural assist the client inn
ing the client in many ways can impulse will continue through thi and more com{o!
w for the identification of tight nervous system to the abdominal _motion in movemer
may pe asked to move while producing a bend at the Green Light Reflex
i to allow the practi- that pulls the rib eage down ani The green light refl
tioner to see if any particular postural stops, or slows, breathing. The fi) is a respor
muscular system bei
presentations or muscular holdit shoulders will roll forward, a bend
patterns are accentuated, Common forms in the ell nd the hands action, This ref
rough HSE are the red light, green ter. The impulses radiate down t juded our in
nt, and tra body to the legs, bending the ks has also baffled th
and pulling the toes upward. All of ans because of t
Red Light Reflex tremely fast nervous system ilties ast
The red light reflex is often the body with he green ligh
» as the “startle response and harder to be opposite of th
ape response” (see Phote jor or threat. tivity and necessity ¢
The red light refle
page 68). This particular reflex mazing amount of nerv
helps an animal escape or withdraw ivity involved in the red drawal, while the green Ii
70 MASSAGE & BODYWORK *Photo 5 — Using “means-where-by” to explore rotation of the
‘trunk upon the pelvis.
he first action to be mastered in Trauma Reflex
muscles of the back is t0 The trauma reflex (see Photo 4, at
id so the infant may see _left) deals directly with compensatory
what is in front of him. With this muscles that allow the body to fine
new realm of visual input, he begins tion following any type of injury to
to attain a ne eof balance and the musculoskeletal system. It is com:
jew horizon. The acquisition of |—__monly understood that when an
Phot t Poteet rere horizontal references and first injury occurs, there is an equal and
tation of the trauma reflex.
mpts at movements requirin opposite reaction that takes plac
nton the path within the human fram
toward standing on two feet and Generally, the body will contr
cd light reflex will use the flexc then we become fully developed, and, in some cases, rotate regions of
the body to pull the trunk forward feel as though we are able to he boo pw the neuromuscu:
hile the green light reflex contracts move through space and time with ar system to function while the
the extensor muscles on the posteri- little effort, and all of the past motor _ healing process occurs. Alll of these
or aspect of the body, pulling the learning may scem trivial. The con- processes of the trauma reflex arc
trunk more upright while lifting and tinued firing of the green light reflex _ responsible for protection, allowin,
arching the back (see Photo 3, p can be due to an increasing amount the body to heal itself over time
(0). HSE can help in gaining a of stress in one’s life, As we grov he trauma reflex is a compensa:
greater awareness and control of the from infancy to adulthood w tion of muscular patterns tha
neuromuscular system to avoid assume more responsibility, No} involve mostly the muscles on th
excessive overuse of the green light only do we need to take care of les of the body. This refle
reflex and decrease, control, and ourselves, but we have loved one becomes ident, for example
ssibly eliminate back pain 10 tend to, bills to pay, ete, As we in hho have injured an
Infants are very good at using go through our daily tasks, we f nkle or knee and have not bee
ir flexor muscles to move them the green light reflex, stimulate the effectively educated on how
elves about and cling to their moth sponse of action, and trigger the regain the ust body follow
or father for protection and nurtur- muscles that we need to move our _ing the injury. If an ankle or kne
ing. As development continues, the bodies forward and complete what is injured, they may assume a small
nfant needs to acquire the ability to ieed to do. In stressful times, imp in order to take the pressure
e around to get the things he we continually use the green light off the injured joint. This removal
weeds to learn and develop independ- reflex, no matter the cost of fatigue, of pressure is accomplished by a
ently. In order to progress and acquire or the sore muscles in our upper -ontraction or lifting of the hip on
hese things, he must be able to use and lower back, neck, shoulders the same side. Tightening of the hip
ie extensor muscles of the back nd buttock may lead to an internal rotation of —»
Ar + MASSAGE & BODYworRK 71in their own context. Learnini
about reactions to stress and trauma
an help clients deal with any signif
icant deficits in movement aware
ness, flexibility, and pains c
unknown origins
Any of these reflexes can occur
singularly, but most likely occur in
some sort of combination with one
another. HSE identifi
focols and offers suggesti
working with clients so they may
begin to help themselves become
more flexible and comfortable in
movement. Education provided by
the practitione
toward distinguishing when a partic
ular response is occurring and learn:
ides the client
ing to correct themselves with theit
Methods of Hanna
Somatic Education
‘o stimulate the motor learning
process, Hanna Soi
Educators use three d
of movement — “means-where-by
kinetic mirroring,” and pandicula
tion. They are also adept at provid
ing feedback through kinesthetic
touch
Means-Where-By
Early in his self-explor:
M. Alexander, the founder of the
Alexander Technique, began to use
movements to free muscular holding
patterns in his body. In a sense he
nents into smaller ones so that over
the same leg and increased muscular caused by the injury. HSE has very time he was eventually able to attain
contractions in the lower back. The specific techniques for helping the the more complex movement. Using
compensation continues into the lient to “unwind” these various _this process, he was able to c
opposite hip to anchor the body's compensatory rotations of the tively, kinesthetically, and proprio.
shift in its center of gravity. This human fr ceptively explore and make
example shows the continued infl ‘movements with an increased
ence of compensation on the entire. The Importance awareness
body as a self-correcting organism. _of Stress Reflexes HSE therapists use variations of
Without proper action, the pattern of these reflexes serve distinct movements, often without
will perpetuate throughout the rest purposes in life. Since habitua- intended goal in mind, to assist the
of the muscular system, so the body tion from constant use in particular client in gaining a greater awareness
-ontinues to function and relieve movement patterns is the simplest. _of a particular muscular system ot
the injured site, but it may initiate form of learning, the key is to assist movement pattern (see Photo 5.
other aches and pains not directly _clients in understanding the reflexes page 71). These particular patterns
74 MASSAGE & BODYWORK + L/MAhanna somatic
may he verbally guided or assisted with hands-on pro- brought together with the “means-where-by” so the client
prioceptive input n attain a particular movement free from pain and move
toward efficiency and neuromuscular control.
Kinetic Mirroring
Thomas Hanna’s instructor Moshe Feldenkrais used a Pandiculation
technique called “kinetic mirroring” to allow his clients _Of the three particular techniques employed by practi
to experience certain easy and gentle movements of the __tioners, Hanna’s contribution to the process was truly
muscles or muscular systems. markable. He added the unique aspect of HSE termed
{anna Somatic Educators use various postures or move-_ “pandiculation” to involve the client in the experience of
ment patterns to allow the client to gain a greater aware movement patterns, Pandiculation is broken down into
pvement, quiick
ness of how they can effectively turn off or release muscles three parts consisting of pandicula
having the skeletal or gravitational tension removed. , and a lock-in
Shortening muscles or muscle groups and allowing thei Defined, pandiculation means to stretch out the limbs, as
intagonists to experience an increase in length, hence the _if'to yawn when awakening from normal sleep. This simple
term “mirroring,” accomplishes this release of tension (see action, used hy all vertebrates upon rising from rest, allow
Photo 6, page 74). This kinesthetic information is then the sensory motor cortex of the brain to establish contact —»
1 * MASSAGE & BODYWoRK 75More Information
* Training in Hanna Somatic
Education is available exclu-
sively through the Novato
Institute for Research and
Education, 1516 Grant Ave.,
Suite 212, Novato, CA 94945,
415/892-0617, fax 415/892-
4388 or www.somaticed.com.
* The Association for Hanna
Somatic Education,
925 Golden Gate Drive,
Napa, CA 94558-9601
707/255-1259 or
www hannasomaties.com
with the muscular system and ready
the soma for activity, This gentle
motion of lengthening the body's
preparing them for work
1em into a direction of relax.
muscles ani
ation and efficient movement,
he pandicular movement process
involves the client's active participa
tion. To begin, the Hanna Somatic
Educator assists the client in comfort
able body positioning to be able to
access the desired muscles or muscu:
lar systems most efficiently. The client
is asked to contract the muscle while
the Hanna Somatie Educator provides
kinesthetic and proprioceptive feed:
k through the entire range of
ge 74
Using a quick release, the Hanna
1 helps the client
in stressing the new pattern and
ange of m
Feedback is maintained between
the client and the educator, with
tion without pain.
the client eventually movin
through a range of motion at a
comfortable, yet increased speed.
At
client is given the opportunity to
complete the motor feedback loop
with a “lock-in” maneuver. With the
client at the comfortable end posi
of motion, they
will be asked to engage the muscular
antagonist to utilize reciprocal inhi
bition and allow a renewed awan
ness of the overall pat
Pandiculation is a safe and effec
‘on of their rang
tive process for the client. Using
pandiculation, a practitioner can help
Jients to eventually make stro}
pain-free movements to increase the
brain's motor output and override
reflex patterns. It provides a direct
stimulus to the nervous system to
ange the information flow through
the brain's ps
76 MASSAGE & BODYWORK * APRIL/MAY 2004
Reaping the Benefits
not be accessing their fullest physical
potential, HSE is not a quick fix form
of therapy, or a medical solution; it isCopyright of Massage & Bodywork is the property of Associated Bodywork &
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