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 sent68 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 postived 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 71in 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/MAhanna 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 75More 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 isCopyright of Massage & Bodywork is the property of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.