SMART BODY. INTRODUCTION

The first and most important aspect is what you bring to the session.

What are your concerns, requests, and expectations? I take a detailed history of your symptoms and issues, asking about past injuries or surgeries.

Before the session, consider the outcomes you want from somatics. Where do you experience pain, restricted movements, numbness, stiffness, or fatigue? Recall any injuries you've had throughout your life (accidents, bruises, fractures, surgeries, psychological trauma). What diagnoses do you have, and what treatments have you undergone? How do you approach health in your lifestyle (nutrition, daily mobility, walks, sports, hobbies, risk factors)?

Next, we move on to an assessment, identifying your dominant reflex patterns. Initially, this is done standing — you might notice one shoulder is higher or lower than the other, the pelvis may be tilted or slightly twisted, shoulders slouched or overly expanded, the back arched, or the head tilted in one direction. Palpation helps determine which muscle groups are excessively contracted.

Further diagnosis happens directly on the table. Much can be observed from how you lie down. Is your head aligned or tilted back? Is it leaning to one side? How do you breathe? Does your belly move more? Or your chest? Or perhaps your collarbones? Does one side of your chest expand more than the other? Are your shoulders spread flat or slightly raised above the table? Are your hands turned palms-up or rolled down to the floor? When you bend your knees and place your feet on the table, do your knees tend to collapse inward or fall outward? Does a gap remain between your lower back and the table, or does it lie flat?

All these observations indicate which muscles are holding habitual tension and cannot relax on their own without targeted work, which we will carry out during the somatic learning session.

Somatics instructors have a variety of techniques in their toolkit aimed at addressing sensory-motor amnesia—restoring control over muscles that have "forgotten" how to relax. As a result, habitual patterns of muscle tension begin to release: the lower back rests naturally on the table, shoulders open up, the head finds its natural position, the pelvis aligns, and movements become smoother and more harmonious. Sometimes this effect is immediate, while other times several sessions may be needed, depending on your initial state and your ability to learn.

A somatics session is a collaborative process of exploration and discovering new possibilities. Unlike conventional treatment, you are an active participant. Your attention and awareness are what lead to positive outcomes. And the best part? These results (with consistent practice) stay with you for life.

The approach is very gentle, smooth, and non-invasive, making it suitable for children and elderly individuals. At the end of the session, you’ll feel relaxed and move with greater ease and enjoyment.

Individual somatic work is highly effective, but the results will be futile if you don't reinforce them on your own.

At the end of each session, you will receive specific exercises tailored to your needs, which you will need to practice at home.

The improvements in your sensorimotor system will remain relevant only through regular repetition — reminders. Just 15–20 minutes a day is enough. If you find it difficult to motivate yourself to practice at home, you can join weekly group somatic classes.

I'm confident you will come to love and value these self-guided exercises when you experience how effortlessly your flexibility, balance, and overall coordination improve. Yes, a bit of patience and self-discipline will be required (especially at first, until it becomes a habit), but the reward will be light, graceful movements and good posture, enhanced self-awareness, and the ability to self-correct. It’s absolutely worth it!

Please bring comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement and clean socks to the class.