S O M A- E M B O D I M E N T T R A I N I N G
Embodiment through Touch & Movement for Transforming Emotional Trauma.
By Sonia Gomes, Ph.D & Marcelo Muniz
Embodiment is an essential aspect to be addressed by anyone working with Trauma Healing. We define Embodiment as a conscious perception of our body´s presence. We find it in coherence and fluidity, tracking through the sensations in the continuous process of movement. This allows the person to express his/her authentic capacities and at the same time, enjoy graciousness of gesture and optimum tonus in our encounters with our fellow human beings. A deeper quality of Embodiment can be achieved through Touch and Movement Education. With this procedure, the practitioner may be able to stimulate an Internal Release that will promote a new Functional manifestation. From that, new possibilities of self-expression giving better function towards health can emerge.
As we deal with Trauma, we start to notice the inherent complexities intertwining, between Body, Mind & Brain. These often create restrictions, which become reflected in a freezing or narrowing of the Inner and Outer Spaces, consequently diminishing the Life Force Energy.
SOMA approach acknowledges that Traumatic experiences can cause blocks in which remain stuck in the body in many levels, thereby reducing the body’s capacity for Embodiment, Orientation, Integration and Perception. In order to complete Traumatic Resolution we first need to work with the following: the perceptual system and the gravitational organization. Education in orientation is required. At this stage we will incorporate continuity and movement fluidity, tracking and embodiment explorations in order to expand perception and to address biological rhythms for self-regulation.
Participants will practice specific
protocols of touch skills, movement and tracking exercises in order to:
1) Expand Perception; 2) Restore Mobility; 3) Unblock Traumatic restrictions of movement related symptoms in order to re-establish equilibrium.
SOMA- Embodiment work has been developed through years of accumulated professional experience and practice by Sonia Gomes Silva and Marcelo Muniz. SOMA owes a debt of gratitude to the insights and conceptual frameworks created by four great masters: Peter A. Levine, Dr. Ida Rolf, Stephen Porges, and Hubert Godard. What is unique about our work is how it combines the remarkable approaches of our forerunners with the new pieces we have developed from our own findings and research in relation to releasing emotional trauma from the body.
The SOMA training consists of a 3 day SOMA 1 introduction workshop, followed by 2 six day workshops namely SOMA 2 and SOMA 3. The prerequisite for attendance of the SOMA training is completion of at least the Somatic Experiencing Beginners level training.