Somatics Institute

Presenter
Matthew van der Giessen has been an educator and practicing massage therapist for over 25 years. He has taught nationally, and has published numerous articles on massage therapy practice and education. He brings a strong belief in practical results to each of his classes, providing massage practitioners with solid tools for daily clinical practice.

Matthew's classes draw upon his many years of experience as an educator. Each class has a clearly organized structure that will help you understand each concept, then integrate it through practical application. Ideas are presented sequentially, each providing a solid foundation to the development of your skills.

Schedule and Locations

Monday evening
6 - 7:30 pm (1.5 hours)
Feb. 16 - March 22 (6 Classes)
Drop-in $18
Package $97
Healing Connections
10548 - 115 Street Edmonton Alberta

Wednesday mid-day
11:30 - 12:30 (1 hour)
Feb 3 - March 24 (8 Classes)
Drop-in $15
Package $108
Healing Connections
10548 - 115 Street Edmonton Alberta

Thursday mornings
10 - noon (2 hours)
Feb 4 - March 25 (8 Classes)
Drop-in $20
Package $144
Village Lifestyles
10429 - 79 Avenue, Edmonton Alberta

To Register
• Call Somatics Institute (780) 438-3757

• Email : admin@somaticsinstitute.com

Somatic Patterning
Movement Classes

Recover Freedom of Movement

Work with Your Body as a Partner in Everyday Life

Somatic Patterning classes teach you to:

1. Awaken the fundamental patterns of the spine, shoulders and hips that help free the natural movements of your body.

2. Recognize and release movement habits that contribute to chronic tension and discomfort.

The Essential Questions of Somatic Patterning

What is This? Open your awareness to all possible sources of sensory information including:
• Surfaces
• Movement
• Breath
• Moods

How Does It Want to Go? Give your body the fullest possibility to make movements that use all sensations available in the moment.

Where am I Using Unnecessary Effort? Watch for two kinds of tension:
• Working too hard
• Stopping movement that would like to be included

How Can I Inhabit This Movement Instead of "Doing" It?
• Be curious, explore
• Let the sensations soak in.
• Use the practices to make friends with your body.
• Feel yourself move as an organism that inhabits space.

Guidelines for Somatic Patterning
1. Use the orienting response. The orienting response takes us to beginner's mind. We create the best conditions for taking in the experience as it truly is while being present to the messages that come from our processing filters. The orienting response says, "What is this?" with as wide awareness as is possible.

2. Balance your awareness of internal and external sensory surfaces.

3. Let your body have it's response. The curiosity of the beginner's mind not only helps you be open to "what is", but you us to be moved to the fullest possible response.

When you interrupt the natural pattern of response to stimulus you experience tension. Tension takes two forms:
a) tension that is formed when you don't allow full response, and
b) tension formed from the creation of movement that isn't congruent with your body's authentic response.

When you apply Somatics principles in these essential ways, you enter into the ground of healing first discovered by the shaman. You learn to find the place of balance between internal ecosystem of the organism and the greater systems it is part of. In learning to dance this balance you bring the possibility of renewed balance to the worlds youwe engage with and opening the possibility that each "it" might become a "You".