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Developed based on the Soma Structural Integration® theories, Somassage® is a stand-alone, specialized form of bodywork that uses the fascial system, specific depth, and directionality to advance the client toward optimal efficiency, ease and wellness. It addresses the full-body organization of the fascial structure while recognizing the unique qualities of each individual. Open to all – those with absolutely no touch experience – as well as massage therapists, this extensively hands-on workshop gives you skills to work with ease while helping your clients feel great. Upon successful completion of the course, the practitioner will gain permission to use the Somassage® trademark and have the pre-requisite foundational knowledge to start our full Soma Structural Integration Certificate program, if they choose.
“Deeply inspiring, clear, and highly educational.”
—Brighton, 2022 Somassage® attendee and LMT
“I wish I had suggestions to be helpful, but this workshop was actually perfect for me. Even with no formal background in bodywork, I didn’t feel lost at all. Thank you for hosting such a thoughtfully designed workshop.”
—A.L, 2022 Somassage® attendee
“This was a great introduction. I felt like I learned a lot and opened new doors to be curious about. All the teachers were present and supportive. It was great!!”
—S.A., 2022 Somassage® attendee
Upcoming Somassage® Workshops:
Late Spring 2023 Soma Essentials: Somassage®
May 19-22, 2023 (Friday-Monday)
Puyallup, WA. Private Clinic Class- Not open to the Public.
Summer 2023 Soma Essentials: Somassage®
August 14-17, 2023 (Monday-Thursday)
Soma Institute: Langley, WA.
Register for August 2023 Somassage® here…
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Curriculum:
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- How to do a 1.5 hour full-body Somassage® Session
- The language of connective tissue
- Compression & suspension mechanics
- Gravitational effects on the body
- Holographic Body Reading – an effective structural analysis model
- Three Brain Model – unifying body and mind
- How to use Somassage® for treatment work—extremely effective
- Whole body mechanics: how to work with presence, ease and efficiency
- A body mechanics system that saves energy and prevents repetitive motion injury
- Somassage® theory and hands-on techniques
CE Hours: 32
Instructors:
Jesse Guerrero— L.M.T., Advanced Soma Practitioner, Instructor- Soma Institute
Kelsi Giswold— L.M.T., Advanced Soma Practitioner, Instructor- Soma Institute
Kimberly Lorton—L.M.T., Instructor- Soma Institute
Vanessa Wood—L.M.T., Instructor- Soma Institute
Class is from 9am to 6pm.
Cost: $655
This course meets Oregon and Washington state massage CEU requirements. For other states, please check your state requirements. This course is IASI approved.
Consider joining our mailing list and let us know you are interested in Somassage®; you’ll be first to know when we send out registration information since it often fills quickly.
What is Somassage®
“The Somassage® workshop has valuable information and techniques. The balance and organization that Somassage® brings has become a crucial part of treatment for many of my clients, who are noticing a much easier relationship with gravity and far less discomfort. The enthusiasm of the instructors and safe, open environment made it easy to learn.”
–L.P., Licensed Massage Therapist
Somassage® is an effective treatment session technique based upon principles of fascia and Soma Structural Integration®. It allows release of tension, increased flexibility, promotes relaxed energy, enhances performance and promotes holistic health and wellbeing.
Many manual therapists who have learned this technique say their clients love and regularly ask for Somassage®. Those same therapists also appreciate the ease that Somassage® gives them in their own bodies while they are working. It is not just a technique, but a whole system of structural analysis, directional myofascial release and applied body mechanics.
Somassage® utilizes a unique system of body reading that allows the practitioner to clearly see the structural compensation patterns of each client. This information is very useful in developing specific and effective treatments that provide the most benefit to the individual. Clients are taught active movements to aid in release and integration during the session. Active movement awakens awareness in a client and can help them find ease, flow and mobility in their body.
Somassage® can be used as a stand alone session, as a system of treatment work for injuries, or as client introduction of how they could feel continually after a series of Soma Structural Integration. Somassage® is especially effective for treating specific injuries while reinforcing a global awareness of mind-body integration. While Somassage® was developed for clients who have previously had Structural Integration, it is also highly effective for people interested in experiencing Soma bodywork for the first time.
“It’s amazing how well Somassage® works!”
A.H.— Student in 2018 workshop
Somassage® is different than other forms of massage.
The differences are:
- The Intent. We use a very different directionality and phrasing than traditional massage, which supports greater structural suspension and verticality.
- Client Participation. By participating in the session with specific movement, breath and focused presence clients achieve the highest benefit.
- The Results. Somassage® addresses the suspensory component inherent in the fascial structure of the body that supports easeful upright posture. This tends to energize the client rather than leaving one feeling drowsy as traditional massage often does.
- The Holographic Body Reading tool. This is Soma Structural Integration’s structural analysis system. This way of seeing allows you to design your session to specifically treat the individual needs of each client.
- The Focus on Bodymechanics. Somassage® includes a body mechanics system that saves the therapists energy and prevents repetitive motion injuries. Specific postural and stroke techniques are taught and refined to create ease in the therapists body.
- The Wholistic View. It is a complete discipline of healthcare that includes analysis, practice, mindfulness and self-care.
Somassage® is a wonderful introduction to Soma Structural Integration as well as an important addition to the manual therapists established Structural Integration or massage practice.
This hands-on workshop is for both licensed practitioners as well as people completely new to bodywork and interested in becoming students of Soma Structural Integration. With successful completion of the course, the licensed practitioner will have permission to use the Somassage® trademark.
What our students have to say about the course:
“Having the repetitious demos and then Somassage® practice hit the brain spot just right! It’s remarkable how day 1 I knew so little and by the end it all came together.”
—Heidi, 2022 Somassage® attendee“All the instructors are awesome! They made it so enjoyable. They walk their talk! It was 100% worth it.”
—G.E., 2018 student completely new to bodywork
Refund Policy—Covid Exposures or Illness:
- If an attendee is exposed or sick with Covid within 10 days of the workshop they will be asked to stay home and be issued a full refund (minus ~ $15 of Eventbrite registration fees).
- If an attendee becomes sick or exposed after they have begun attending, then their registration will be transferred to another, future Soma Essentials workshop, to be taken within 2 years.
Refund Policy—General Cancellations (Non Covid):
- Cancellation made greater than 30 days before the start of the course—90% of payment refund.
- Cancellations made between 30 days and 12 days before the start of the course—50% payment refund.
- Cancellation made between 12 and 0 days before the start of the course—no refund.
A minimum number of participants is required to hold the workshop, if the number is not met you will be notified and refunded 15- 30 days prior to the workshop.
Somassage® Participant Forms:
Please read, no need to print, the Soma Institute Privacy Policy, found here. The following forms must to be completed prior to attending the workshop:
