My Catalyst for Physical Change
We all know that exercise and being active is good for our mind, body, and soul. Yet I wasn’t moving much. I tried a personal trainer, Pilates class, and swimming. Nothing was fun, and nothing was budging my 40-something premenopausal weight. Frankly, I was ashamed to be seen out, and anything physical I tried was no longer done with the same ease and agility.
When COVID hit in 2020, life seemed to slow way down, and I found myself, like so many others, gaining bad habits and sensing the weight would reach beyond a point that could no longer be blamed on an aging, slow metabolism, or the start of menopause.
Turning point
My turning point came in 2021 when I painted my home office, and it felt so slow and clunky climbing up and down that ladder. However, I repeated almost like a rhythmic chant, “You need to do this for yourself; this office is your sacred space to do what you do best; make this space a portal for your creativity.” Shortly after, I looked at a few recent photos of myself (many of my life changes have come from photos that jolt me into objective awareness – for whatever reason, looking in the mirror doesn’t work) and thought to myself – it’s truly all within your control even if it takes years, you need to be intentional about finding a solution that is going to work for you.
In 2022, I signed up for a local exercise program that suits my – get-er-done – attitude. Exercise for me needs to be quick or not feel like exercise but rather a fun activity like swimming, dancing, ping-pong, and walking with my husband. This place offered the former 20 minutes a day, for as many days as I want (2 days per week suggested minimum). My husband and I began walking routinely since he worked from home (thank you, COVID). In the latter part of 2022, we got a puppy, so now she’s joined us on our walks, making it even more fun. Bonus: I’m getting out of my office chair more often to care for her.
I’m down 12 lbs., so my weight is finally going in the right direction. I know my transformation won’t be overnight (I keep in mind that getting this out of shape didn’t happen overnight). Still, I feel like I am turning a corner and am ready to add some additional MOVEMENT techniques to my life in 2023 since launching a private Facebook group, Creatively Cultivating Consciousness. I’ve been exploring ways to be more conscious about moving. I found something called Somatic Movement. Here is what I’ve learned from Sarah Warren, a Certified Clinical Somatic Educator, Registered Somatic Movement Educator, and owner of Somatic Movement Center.
What is somatic movement?
First, let’s start with the term “somatic.” This word is used a lot in the transformational health and wellness industry. It means “of or relating to the living body,” The term was coined by Thomas Louis Hanna a philosophy professor and movement theorist in 1976. He proposed that the most damaging health effects are caused by what he called sensory motor amnesia. He claimed that many common age-related ailments are not simply a matter of time but the result of poor movement habits.
A somatic movement is performed consciously to focus on the internal experience of the movement rather than the external appearance or result.
How does somatic movement work?
The human nervous system, which controls our posture and movement, must learn new things very slowly; thus, somatic movement is performed slowly. When practiced, a person can progressively speed up while maintaining form and control, reinforcing learned movement patterns. Somatic movements are performed consciously and are exploratory, with our complete conscious awareness and intention of the movement. It is different from doing sit-ups or pushups; it’s not about the quantity, it’s about the quality. In a general sense, any movement can be a somatic movement if it is performed slowly and consciously, focusing on the internal experience of the movement.
The somatic movement piqued my interest because it powerfully aligns with my passion for intentionality and will aid my health and wellness journey. I’ll be sharing my experience here and within the social media communities.
Until next time, and Always with Love and Light ~ Kami
