Somatic Movement is not easily defined nor has any definition found consensus within the ever expanding and growing field.

Wikipedia says, “The term is derived from the word “Somatic” (Greek “somatikos”, soma: “living, aware, bodily person”) which means, pertaining to the body, experienced and regulated from within. The concept of soma posits that neither body nor mind is separate from the other; both are part of a living process. Many of the approaches in the field of somatics address the body-mind split endemic in Western culture and body-mind integration is a common goal. Freedom from restrictions in body and mind is another goal, so that the individual functions and thrives with full potential with self-regulation and independence within the environment in which he or she lives. A fundamental principle is that growth, change, and transformation are always possible at any age.”

Now Pilates is considered to be Somatic Movement by some and not by others. It is the feeling of The Pilates Studio that the way in which movement is practiced is what defines it as Somatic or not, not the particular movement that is being practiced. Pilates can be practiced Somatically with awareness of all bodily functions and it can often address emotional processes as well, but only when that is the goal of the client.

The Pilates Center is lucky to have Katrina Hawley and Anneliese Mordhorst with extensive histories in Somatic Movement Practices and both with connections to the International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association (ISMETA) (www.ismeta.org) They are both a part of the ever continuing and progressing dialog and are happy to take any client on a Somatic Movement Journey using Pilates principles as a mechanism.