Somatic Pilates - A different approach and evolution to Pilates.
One piece of us: but how do you experience it in movement and in your Pilates practice?
What is Somatic Pilates?
Somatic Pilates is a specialist form of Pilates that combines Somatic principles with the principles of Pilates. It works primarily with very deep presence and felt sense - it is about integrating and becoming at one with your body, developing something called embodiment and deeply listening to and respecting your body. It is holistic in approach and keeps the unique individual the centre. Somatic Pilates has a much deeper anatomical component for the client and teacher / practitioner and may harness different systems of the body deliberately to produce different effects. Its purpose is to produce full mind body integration. It does not intend to work with body as a separate 'thing’, but works with the body as an integrated whole, we both have a body and we are a body. When we work with our bodies and listen to them carefully we become much calmer and at peace with ourselves, and in that respect Somatic Pilates can be for some people a real tonic to everyday life, stresses and strains in every respect. So much can move us away from our bodies, and Somatic Pilates is a practice to put people back within themselves once more. We can move with greater freedom, we put less strain on our body, we develop greater felt sense and more confidence in our body because we have a different relationship with it.
How can you experience Somatic Pilates - Mat, Studio or both?
Somatic Pilates can be taught inside the Pilates Studio using the apparatus or on the mat as what is important is the process that you are involved in. It is the skill and embodiment of the teacher that is the difference guiding you safely into your body and as well as felt sense that definitely makes the difference.
How is Somatic Pilates different to a standard Mat Pilates class?
Somatic Pilates is different to your usual mat class because you are inside a process of working with yourself and your unique body. The way it is taught is different as well - your teacher is not instructing you to copy, but feel and embody your movement, always trying to guide you into that felt sense within the Studio apparatus or on the Mat.
Can Pilates generally be considered ‘Somatic”?
Pilates is a mind body discipline and Pilates himself sought to integrate mind and body. The word ‘somatic’ is commonly referring to as ‘of the living body’ and in that sense there are many forms of Pilates that have a somatic nature within them, at the moment it is currently very fashionable and useful in terms of marketing to use the word somatic. However, my form of Somatic Pilates builds from the teachings of Pilates and incorporates the teachings and processes of my somatic family and somatic pioneers that I have studied with. It involves acknowledging and working with the whole body mind and spirit in an integrated way, and also acknowledging, along Somatic lines that if we move one system in the body we can affect change across multiple areas. Somatic work and Somatic Pilates to me is a process, and in process we become more ourselves, more embodied in every aspect of our lives. The way Somatic Pilates is taught is different because its philosophy is different to Pilates. The nature of the teacher is very different as well as the teacher themselves is in an embodied state while they are working with you. There focus will be on your process and how you are moving and they will keep working on moving you into a more integrated state with your body and mind.
What are the benefits of Somatic Pilates?
The benefits of Somatic Pilates are a much deeper and more intimate relationship with your body, and with you. You are able to move better, because you have learnt how to move your body with less tension, more efficiency, you have more freedom and space within the body. When our body senses it can move without using force we too become calmer and more integrated in our minds and bodies. It can be used with those who are looking for competitive advantage in their sport, those with an injury or issue to ensure they are using their body optimally or those looking for greater levels of comfort or to enhance their practice in Pilates or experience it in a different way. But primarily it is about felt sense, and feeling our bodies in motion - it is very much the opposite of some the Instagram culture you see where Pilates is taking on more extreme forms and very often in a state of disembodiment. And very often I find my clients enter a very peaceful integrated state, and develop more confidence not only in their bodies but can then carry that forward to their lives as a whole.
What tips do you have for those interested in trying Somatic Pilates?
If you are interested in Somatic Pilates please make sure you are working with a professional that is qualified in both areas of Pilates and Somatics. Ideally your teacher should have a deep study of anatomy and physiology beyond that of a standard Pilates training as Somatic work and Somatic Pilates really does move the whole body and so it is important that those who teach you do understand what they are doing and are working from a place of authenticity within themselves. It is also important to seek out at the very least a trauma informed practitioner - that means that the person has had some training in trauma and has done some of their own work. It also means they are able to offer a space for movement that is supportive but offers very clear guidelines for moving the body safely, in relationship with others - because quite often we are moving as a community! At the very least you are moving in community with your teacher! It also means that they will help create an environment where you and others can be comfortable, and not do anything that can alarm your body as you move. I’d like to stress that Somatic Pilates is not Somatic Therapy which is the space to work with individual trauma in the body deliberately to process emotions that are held inside the body. Somatic Pilates is movement and an evolution of this wonderful movement system. There are many posts I see on social media that cause me deep concern where I observe claims of a movement being the thing to process a stored emotion out of your body - to release it - or a body and person /group being taken beyond a place they need to be taken that can hurt both the physical body or the psyche. Somatic Pilates is a different branch of the Pilates family that really develops your embodiment journey within Pilates, your journey of you! It is a process, and every day is different - so be prepared to be open minded, to explore and enjoy the journey.
Our body is such a deep and special place to experience, to take joy and pleasure in, and to integrate with our minds. So much is possible, when we are present. So much is possible when we stop fighting with our bodies and become more integrated. It’s good to be back home, with our bodies and ourselves!