What is Somassage®?
Somassage® is a wholistic bodywork system that utilizes an effective treatment technique based on the principles and theories of Soma Structural Integration. It is not just a technique, but a whole system of structural analysis, directional myofascial release and applied body mechanics.
By working with the whole person and addressing the relationships between all parts of the body, Somassage allows release of tension and increase in flexibility, while promoting enhanced performance and overall health and wellbeing. Somassage is a wonderful introduction to Soma Structural Integration for those considering a career as a Soma practitioner, regardless of their experience level. It is also an effective addition to the manual therapist’s established Structural Integration or massage practice.
How is Somassage® different than other forms of massage?
- 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. 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.
- 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 clearly seeing the structural compensation patterns of each client allows you to design your session to specifically treat their individual needs.
- 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 can be used as a standalone whole-body session or as a short series to address an injuries—it 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 Soma Structural Integration, it is also highly effective for people interested in experiencing Soma bodywork for the first time. This is a way to share a taste of the lasting impact that clients experience after completing the Soma 11-Series—though the effects of Somassage are not as long-lasting as the Series.
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.
Learn Somassage at the Soma Essentials Workshop, a 4-day course taught through the Soma Institute. It’s a hands-on workshop open to licensed practitioners as well as people completely new to bodywork and interested in becoming students of Soma Structural Integration.
