Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health [Paperback]

Thomas Hanna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2004

In the revolutionary Somatics, Thomas Hanna demonstrates that so many problems we accept as inevitable over time-chronic stiffness, bad back, chronic pain, fatigue, and even high blood pressure -need never occur if we maintain conscious control of nerve and muscle, a state which Hanna calls sensory-motor awareness. This gentle, lifelong program can help almost anyone maintain the pleasures of a supple, healthy body indefinitely, with only a five-minute routine once a day.

Editorial Reviews

Review

San Fernando Valley Sun, 1/28/10
“[A] favorite body scanning bible.”

About the Author

Thomas Hanna, Ph.D. , founder of the field of Somatics, is director of the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training in Novato, California. He is also editor of Somatics Magazine-Journal of the Mind/Body Arts and Sciences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (August 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738209570
• ISBN-13: 978-0738209579
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Aging > Exercise
  • #31 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Injuries & Rehabilitation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

155 of 156 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Use awareness to take control of your muscular health, April 23, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health (Paperback)

This book really changed my life. I used to suffer from shoulder tendinitis and other muscular ailments, but by using the material in this book I'm now 99% pain free. In addition, "Somatics" taught me about the causes and cures of muscular tension, "aging", and poor posture. By applying what I learned in "Somatics", my body has become much more supple and relaxed, making activities from walking to playing tennis to doing the dishes much more enjoyable.

But what is the catch? As Thomas Hanna explains, once you learn how your body really works, its up to you to learn how to improve its function. The bad news is that it takes time and persistance to effectively apply the knowledge in "Somatics" to your own body. The good news, however, is that by applying this knowledge you'll gain control over your own muscular (and thereby skeletal) health, now and for the rest of your life!

I also like this book because even though the material is fairly scientific, the book's occasional humor and its case study format make it an enjoyable read.

76 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delivers the goods in 10 easy minutes a day!, May 31, 2005

By 

Bonnie MacBird (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health (Paperback)

A wise Pilates/Feldenkrais teacher introduced me to this book. Using "Somatics" I personally found relief from chronic lower lumbar pain, and got help retraining my gait and balance after a severe ankle injury.The book is simple to understand with sections for various problems.

Somatics are a system of gentle movements - while breathing and mildly focusing (and sometimes simple "looking" in certain directions)- which through a combination of neuromuscular stimulation and the gentlest of stretches (no pain!) manages to to roll back years of stiffness, aid injury recovery, and significantly relieve some of the stresses of aging.

Somatics is based on sound science, and Feldenkrais, yoga, and Pilates are related. But Somatics exercises - movements really - are even gentler, and smarter, No equipment but a towel or mat is needed. Any level of fitness can benefit, even someone in a wheelchair or bedridden can do some of the movements.

If you have the patience and interest, I suggest reading the book and working through every single exercise presented, which is what I did coming back from traumatic injury. Some will "speak to you", and you'll incorporate them later into daily practice.

If you lack the patience or the time for this, the book is still valuable for its simple "CAT STRETCH" a five minute series of gentle movements which gently moves the whole body and seem to me like "the fountain of youth" . I do the cat stretch twice a day - on arising and before bed.

I could not recommend this book and Somatics in general more highly. Your back, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck will thank you!!!! And so will your friends when you pass this book along!

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brain reprogramming, January 2, 2002

By 

Daniel Vasquez "silverbug" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health (Paperback)

I am a massage therapist and use elements of Hanna's work daily.
Most people don't understand that their posture and how they use their body comes from how they have unwittingly programmed their
bodies. Their bodies are on "auto-pilot". Hanna makes this clear to the reader and then discusses how the reader can re-awaken their brain circuits and change their body programming, releasing
muscular tension, using the exercises in the back of the book. Granted that the wooden figures showing the exercises can be difficult to discern, it is worth your patience to work it out.
Your body will thank you. I have adapted many of the movements to my table work sessions and always assign one or two movements as homework. You can do much on your own. I have given away many copies of this book to clients who showed great interst in Hanna's work and in taking care of themselves.