What is Somassage®
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.
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.
Somassage® is a 4-day workshop taught through the Soma Institute. It’s a 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. For more information on the course, click here.
