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| Photo: Arthur Borden |
Somatic Movement Therapy Training (SMTT), developed by Dr. Martha Eddy, looks at the body as an entire organism and seeks to enhance the fundamental patterns that connect the body center and its various parts. Doing so rediscovers the physical wisdom that the body contains in order to be able to move efficiently and creatively. This centers the mind in the body and creates the possibility of living a cheerful, fulfilling life.
In the womb, the human body grows radially out from the umbilical chord, the center of nourishment and connection to the mother. As we grow and move, we develop patterns that reinforce the connections between the various parts of the body and its center, which have been formed over millions of years of evolution. These patterns enable the body to move efficiently, creatively, and vibrantly, expressing the unobstructed life force contained within. When that can happen, the integration of body and mind creates the possibility of flexible expression and the mind possesses the capability of sustained focus that brings accomplishment.
Sometimes, due to circumstances or congenital problems, the natural development is obstructed or distorted and the patterns that do develop are attempts to compensate for those deviations. The body movement is no longer efficient, creative, or vibrant; it is out of balance. Because of this inefficiency, the body experiences stress and even pain. The mind distances itself from the body in an attempt to coordinate the body to make up for that loss of balance. Moods swing up and down and sustained focus is difficult.
Somatic Movement Training Therapy draws extensively from the work of Body-Mind CenteringÆ, Laban Movement Analysis, Bartenieff Fundamentals, and the Alexander Technique. This training focuses on the use of hands-on repatterning and verbal instruction to guide improved self awareness and foster optimal physical, emotional, and cognitive performance.Ý SMTT practitioners use their skills to help teach clients to recognize and move toward correcting psychophysical problems and stress-related emotional conditions that may restrict functional and/or expressive aspects of clients' lives. Ý
Annelies Smith, who is a registered somatic Movement Therapy Training practitioner, established her practice in Burlington since 1998.
To find out more about Dr. Eddy's Somatic Movement Therapy Training, click on SMTT
To find out more about Somatic Movement Training , click on Body-Mind Centering Association with this link or email to BMCA@YahooGroups.com.
Annelies Smith