SOMATIC BODYWORK is a modern approach to well-being that uses touch, movement, awareness of breath, relaxation techniques and full body holding to help create a safe container for the receiver to relax more deeply and to stimulate the natural regenerative powers of the body allowing symptoms of disease to possibly lessen and vitality to grow. 

In the spirit of the Zen Shiatsu pioneer, Shizuto Masunaga, who has inspired SOMATIC BODYWORK, the practitioner is dedicated to “BEING WITH a person rather than doing something to a person”. All of the techniques and forms applied in a session arise from a place of the practitioner listening and responding to what is happening in the body and breath of the receiver. In essence, SOMATIC BODYWORKERS listen with their hands and hearts and respond from a place of openness and good practice.

A dedicated SOMATIC BODYWORK session is generally from 60 - 90 minutes in length. Both practitioner and receiver wear loose, comfortable clothing and the practice is given on a large futon or soft floor space with cushions and a blanket. The receiver may feel grounding contact, full body stretches and joint mobility, acupressure point activation, myo-fasical unwinding and release, energy body balancing, holding of the cranium to listen to the fluid aspects of the body and other simple massage methods.

Many yoga teachers, physiotherapists, psychotherapists and people in movement, healing, artistic and educational professions are finding ways to utilize the SOMATIC BODYWORK approach within their own modalities in unique and creative ways.

SOMATIC BODYWORK has been developed by ATEEKA from her 20+ years of experience in the movement and healing arts. This approach has been influenced from various healing and movement modalities such as Zen Shiatsu, Biodynamic Craniosacral, Tantsu (Tantric Shiatsu), Watsu, Thai Massage, Myofascial Release & Unwinding, Continuum Movement, Contact Improv, Somatic studies, Yoga and mindfulness meditation.

Touch is fundamental to human communication, bonding and well-being.

Research and scientific studies have shown that safe, gentle grounding and affective touch has a very positive and health-promoting effect on us . . . physiologically, mentally and emotionally. SOMATIC BODYWORK is unique in that not only the receiver may experience the benefits of human contact but also the giver.

Studies have shown touch and bodywork benefits to include:

reduces stress levels and relieve tension

reduces pain and promotes muscle relaxation

supports enhanced immune functioning

decrease cortisol levels - the “stress” hormone

increase oxytocin levels - the “bonding” hormone

activate endorphins - the “pain-killing” hormones

improve circulation and mobility

support healthy social bonding and connection

enhance body awareness, proprioception and self-acceptance

A SOMATIC APPROACH TO BODYWORK FOR MODERN TIMES

Somatic Bodywork Practitioner Training with Ateeka is rooted in the awareness that bodies heal themselves. Somatic Bodywork Practitioners have a role of supporting another (client or student) to realize one’s most adaptable and creative possibilities for integrated physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

A 250 hour training curriculum offers an in-depth experiential process in which participants learn the healing significance of full body holding, contact, movement, breath and sound to deepen their own somatic awareness and apply it directly to an innovative and sensitive bodywork application.

No matter what the state of the receiver, our primary objective is to bring to light that which IS already healthy. The investigative, exploratory process of the Somatic Bodywork Practitioner Training emphasizes direct experience and how to apply it's multitude of techniques and "non-techniques" for its intrinsic life affirming, feeling-sense, non-verbal communication and deep listening through movement and stillness.

Each of the training modules has 5 aspects:

1. Technique: A complete study and practice of somatic presence, full body holding, cradling, transitions, contact techniques, meridians, acupressure points, sound and energetic work used in a Somatic Bodywork Professional session.

2. Somatic Education: Techniques to recognize repetitive movement, breath, thought and behavioral patterns in your client during a Somatic Bodywork session and tools and home practice exercises to empower your clients healing process.

3. Integral Anatomy: Experiential study into the integrative functionality of human anatomy, especially anatomical systems and how they relate and support one another.

4. Mindfulness: Embodied instruction in Mindfulness techniques will be taught and suggestions for developing a home practice that will support your Somatic Bodywork practice will be introduced. By quieting the mind and opening to the present moment, a Somatic Bodywork session becomes a deep meditative and healing experience for both client and practitioner.

A mindful attention to "being with a person, rather than doing something to a person" through neutrality and presence, the practitioner welcomes a deeper connection and healing potential for each session.

5. Personal Development: By honestly coming in contact with one’s inner self, in all its bright and dark aspects, we become clearer and more neutral containers for our client’s healing process. This course offers many opportunities to dive deep into the shadows, discover and ultimately express your “inner gold” (ever-evolving life potential) through the process of giving and receiving Somatic Bodywork.

Somatic Bodywork Practitioner Training is an ideal continuation of professional skills for bodyworkers, massage therapists, Watsu practitioners, yoga teachers, movement specialists, dance/somatic practitioners, healthcare professionals, physiotherapists, personal coaches, psychologists, counselors, creative arts teachers. Somatic Bodywork is a meditative practice that enhances well-being, connection and awareness in a wide scope of fields.

This training is also open to those who are curious about movement, health, creativity and meditative presence for their own personal enrichment.

Somatic Bodywork Practitioner Training is facilitated by SOMATIC AWARENESS INSTITUTE, The institute offers a multi-dimensional terrestrial and aquatic bodywork instruction dedicated to the training of YogaSomatics and Somatic Bodywork Practitioners, focusing on somatic education. The classes of Somatic Awareness Institute are taught by institute director, ATEEKA, and occasionally a visit from one of our international team of guest teachers as a way to expand somatic movement, education and the awareness of Somatics worldwide.

 Dwelling in the fluid means to dwell in a state of creation, of becomingness, of possibility.

YogaSOMATICS in and with the water . . . invites the fluid, changeable, responsive nature of water and flow into personal and teaching practice. 

Our immersion practices are in warm water (34 - 36 C)  pools, hot springs and varied temperature natural water sources around the world.  We work individually and in partners to become intimate with the "soul of the waters".  As we immerse ourselves into the way of the waters, we also invoke its regenerative movements in our own bodies.  We become aware of ourselves as fluid beings. Our movements harmonize with the movements of the water and the meeting becomes a "water sutra".

What is a Water Sutra?

A water sutra is an appearing and disappearing thread of Knowing . . . that rises up to be experienced in one’s own body and consciousness through the movements of the element of water, and dissolves back into the mutable space of water.

In ancient times, sutras, or aphorisms of eternal knowledge have been written and recorded as words in sacred texts.   

Now, we rest into appearing and dissolving movements of water as our teachers . . . supportive, free, ever-changing yet eternal.

Like a ripple in a pond, we recognize the movement of a water sutra when we see it, feel it . . . and it melts back into the source it came from, yet leaving its watermark on our awareness.

A water sutra is mutable.

A water sutra is containing.

A water sutra is taking shape of its environment.

A water sutra is reflective.

A water sutra is flow.

A water sutra is stillness.

We simply can Know ourselves when experienced through the movements and qualities of water.