Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do I get as an Online Class Member?

A: Depends on if you want a general or specific approach.

Press Here to Take a Look at the General Approach.

Press Here to Take a Look at the Specific Approach.

Q: What are the Somatics Exercise classes all about?

A:  You are going to learn how to effectively manage and eliminate your physical pain by having a unique set of tools which you can use at any time.

Once the pain is gone, you’ll have the tools which will foster your self-care so you can prevent or reverse your accidental pains in the future.  You’ll know what to do for yourself.

Q: What will the classes cover?

A:  You’ll learn how to … change your brain so you can…

• Readily decrease your accumulated stress…
• Move much easier & gain greater range of motion without trying…
• Improve your balance and agility…
• Watch yourself get stronger and more coordinated…
• Protect yourself from injury and know what to do when it occurs so you can get right back into the game…

Q: Will these exercises help with my neck, back, hips, knees, etc.?

A: Well, yes that’s the point.  You’re going to explore various parts of your body and the entire body so you’ll know how you can improve your self as time goes moves on.

Q: How long is each class?

A: The classes vary from 45 minutes to an hour .

Q: How do I receive the classes?

A:  You will receive your classes in a private membership area where you’ll download them for future use.  They will easily transfer to your computer or Ipod/mp3 player.

Q: When do I have to do the class?

A: That’s up to you. Just like driving to a weekly class, with your membership you won’t have to drive and you can play the class as often as you’d like. Save gas, save time, increase your learning and get the results you want at the pace that works best for you.

Q: How do I sign up?

A: Please contact me.

Q: Can anyone do the movements?

A: Yes, Somatics Exercise are for all abilities and generally suitable for ages 12 and up, though younger children have enjoyed the movements, though the slow pace may not suit them. If you’re injured or incapacitated, you’ll be able to join in since one of the options is just to do the movements either in your mind’s eye, visually, or just moving toward the hint of the directions you will be guided in.  So even if you don’t want to do the movements, you can just lie there and listen and you’ll receive the benefits.

Q: How difficult are the movements?

A: The movements are simple, natural, easy movements and in time you will learn how to coordinate all your limbs so you move as easily as you ever have, and most likely, better than you ever have.

YOU CAN ALWAYS TRY THE 3 Simple Steps.

Q: Why are the movements done so slowly?

A: You are intending to elicit a response from your motor cortex. It’s job is to inhibit unwanted muscle contractions. If you release slowly out of the movement pattern, then your motor cortex will handle the job of resetting the length of your muscle, in which you will feel more comfy.

Q: Should I push through the pain or stiffness?

A: NO, always stay under the level of discomfort. If you do not, you may elicit the stretch reflex.

Q: What is the stretch reflex?

A: This reflex sets your limbs for instance to a certain range of movement. This can be reset through the pandicular mechanism of moving somatically. If you push or exert force, then your brain will recontract around the area that you tried to stretch. In effect, you will become tighter. This is why the old school way of stretching is slowly and laboriously moving into the past. Yep, I said it. Stretch no more, pandiculate instead and you will move more naturally and with greater ease.

Q: When I move it seems difficult, what can I do?

A: Always take care of yourself. You may have to prop yourself with more support, ie a towel, mat, something which gives a little. Then if the movement is still difficult you can just lie there and imagine yourself doing the movement. In fact, you’ll get the same results whether you imagine or do the movements. If you do both, then you’ll get greater results. In time, and sometimes even after your 1st attempt, the movement will already become easier, IF you stay well within your comfort zone, this may take some time to get this part of it, but once you do, you’ll gain greater and easier range of movement. It’ll seem to simple to believe. You’ll discover “how” using your motor cortex effectively will be to your benefit.

Q: I don’t know if I am doing the movements right.  Is there a right way?

A: Let’s say there is an optimal way and a less than optimal way. Each of us are built differently so we really can’t copy another’s movement, however, you are in a process of learning to move from within, that’s why these movements are done slowly so you can develop your proprioceptive sense about a particular direction you are moving towards and away from. The more optimal way is not to set off the stretch reflex, to force, to overdo, over try the movement. You’ll get better results if you stay under force, overdoing, and over trying.

Q: Is it ok to force a movement?

A: No. Until you get the hang of moving somatically, that is with great control. You’ll set yourself up for further tightening.

Q: When I release, my movements hesitate, jerk, or misfire in some weird way. Is this ok?

A: Yes. Your practicing on improving your control via your motor cortex. It will see the fits and starts and correct them by you becoming aware of them in the first place-way cool, eh. After it has reprogrammed itself, it’ll send this info down to your cerebellum which does the smooth, quick movements your begging to do. And you will move in a more coordinated fashion.

Q: It feels as if I’m stretching when I do my somatic movements.   Is this the right way?

A: Hmm, the right way, there is no right or wrong way, HOWEVER, there is an optimal way and remember, you are contracting an area, which means another area is lengthening, which you may feel as a stretch. Always notice where you are contracting, you may not even sense this for some time and that’s ok. As you gain in your somatic understanding, you will sense the areas of contractions and lengthening simultaneously.

Q: What if I fall asleep during the movement sequence?

A: It’s been known to happen. Enjoy your nap and when you come to yourself, then just move again. You won’t miss anything if you don’t do a specific movement. If you totally fade out, there you have it. As you do the movements more optimally, you will become very relaxed and so naps, nod outs, fade outs, will happen.

Q: I seem to yawn a lot during and after the movements. Is this normal?

A: Yes, that’s using your motor cortex. Your intentions to move with awareness will cause you to create relaxation chemicals, hence you’ll relax yourself with the somatic patterns you practice.

CHECK OUT HOW MARVELOUS YOUR BRAIN REALLY IS

 

 

 

Q:  Anything else?  Please ask me or post your comments below.