Somatics

I have bought a half dozen copies of this book over the years and given a few away the rest just didn’t come back.
I had chronic debilitating back pain. I started to go to chiropractors because I couldn’t work around dangerous equipment on pain drugs. I was seeing him sometimes 3 times a week. Each visit cost as much as this book. Eventually after switching to a different chiropractor my back was X Rayed and the Chiropractor said that my back was structurally healthy. He suspected that it was being caused by problems that were muscular. Working on Ice in the winter was making my Chiropractor rich and me poor. .
I’d slip my back would go out. More dollars to the DR.

Long story from there to here but eventually ended up with this book.
Skipped to the back did what I thought were exercises no improvements.
Next I read the book followed it step by step end of pain. That quick. Within 3 months my chiropractic visits were down to 1 a month then 2 a year. Now maybe if I do something stupid a couple of visits then until I do something stupid again I don’t need to go. I have lent this book to numerous people. Some it helps some it doesn’t. Unfortunately it seldom comes home .

I gave a copy of this book to a friend who was rebuilding her house 10 yrs ago because she was about to be wheelchair bound. She is quite active now and though she spends a couple hour nightly in the hot tub, gets therapeutic massages and regular chiropractic care she is chair free. She figured it out first by reading this book. She did finish getting her house handicap accessible but so far she has not bought a chair. Might not be what you need cause we are all different .
I’m one of the lucky ones who this book addresses the particular issue I was having. The book is packed full of information that I have never gotten from a doctor and never knew to ask my chiropractor about. However you must read it front to back. Don’t figure you know enough to skip this or that.

Now I keep a copy on hand incase I over do Anything minor I am able to take care of with this book. Hope it works for U

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!

This book makes so much sense and is easy to understand. It is empowering, it gives you control over your body and the means of maintaining that. I have tried pilates and physio for back pain but they are not as effective as this. It is life changing.

Interessantissimo libro di esercizi di yoga somatico corredati da una bella carrellata di presentazione, approfondimento e studio di diversi casi affrontati da Hanna. Raccontando i casi che gli si sono presentati ha modo di esporre un ventaglio di tipologie di posture scorrette, le loro cause e soprattutto come curarle. Bello il modo in cui le tematiche sono affrontate: con andamento anche ironico e leggero. Lo sto ancora leggendo ma lo consiglio. Nota negativa per la bassa qualità dell’edizione, la copertina è fragile e si è rovinata in poco tempo. In generale poca qualità e accuratezza. Peccato! Questo libro meriterebbe una veste migliore.