finally, a WAY TO GET RID OF PAIN FOR GOOD SO YOU CAN LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT
combat chronic pain and tension, improve your posture, move with more suppleness and ease
Do you have pain that just won't go away - even though you've tried everything?
Like many people with chronic pain & tightness, are you perhaps lacking a helpful diagnosis or clear medical explanation of why you're in pain (even though you know something's really wrong)?
And, as with so many clients who come to me, do you find the frustrating inability to resolve your pain makes the pain itself even worse? Perhaps making you feel angry, hopeless, and worried nothing can be done?
Like most of my clients, you may also suffer with posture or flexibility issues.
And none of the medications, therapies or other approaches you've tried have ever fully explained, or really helped your pain and other symptoms.
Maybe you’ve been told your symptoms are “medically unexplained“?
Maybe you have pain that's still there even though the injury or trauma that caused it has healed, so doctors can't really explain why the pain hasn't gone away?
As with so many people I see, have you been told “it’s just your age”? Made to feel there’s nothing that can be done to help you in any meaningful way?
If your experience is anything like mine and my clients', you might have found various therapies and medications (or even surgery) that help in the short term, but nothing that's created lasting relief, or resolved your pain...
You might feel optimistic about trying a new approach.
Or, perhaps by now you feel like giving up, because you’ve “tried everything,” and nothing's really helped?
BUT YOU CAN GET RID OF YOUR PAIN. You can improve your posture & suppleness. And you can move through life with greater comfort in your body, and in yourself.
I believe this because I got out of chronic pain after years of suffering, and because I see my clients have similar, life-changing experiences, time after time.
Using my learning about the real causes of pain, and my professional experience working with emotions, Clinical Somatic Education, and the importance of the nervous system and neuroscience to understand pain, posture, & flexibility, I’ve created the only program you need to help you find the ‘missing link’ to ease your pain & live the life you want – free from pain.
Take control of your brain,
your pain,
and your future
The approach I teach can be effective in helping with - and has helped very many clients who've come to me with - a wide range of complaints, conditions, and concerns. Including (but not limited to):
Back pain
Tension headaches
Neck pain, shoulder pain
Shallow breathing
Sleeplessness
Chronic muscle tension
Sciatica, SI joint pain
Scoliosis (structural or functional)
Hip pain, leg pain
TMJ/TMD pain
Relief for arthritic pains
Relief from bursitis pain
Stress, Anxiety
RSI, carpal tunnel, wrist pain
Posture, gait
Flexibility & mobility
Stroke recovery
Moving with more ease
Fibromyalgia, ME, 'MUS' and more
Hip pain, leg pain
Knee pain, foot pain
Leg-length discrepancy
Recovery from whiplash
Thoracic outlet syndrome
John took my online classes and finally found effective relief from back pain...
*Just a note to clarify: I don't use photos in any client testimonials, to preserve privacy for those who don't want their image shared online
Most people think the problem's with a misdiagnosis, a failure to find the real cause of their pain, or not having their pain taken seriously enough.
My clients often believe this, & maybe you do too? (I know I did, before I found Hanna Somatics!)
Maybe, like them, you're frustrated that because of this, you're not being offered the right treatment? You may feel you're missing out on the drugs, therapy, or surgery that could fix your problem.
And you're disappointed that what you have been offered, hasn't worked...
Perhaps, even worse, you've started to believe (as I did, after years of struggling to find relief) that there's something so wrong, so broken in you, that nothing can help...?
BUT THE REAL ISSUE IS THAT MOST PEOPLE (including doctors) DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT CHRONIC PAIN IS, AND HOW IT'S CAUSED
... and if you don't understand a problem, you're never gonna fix it, don't you think?
Our culture tells us all sorts of myths about pain, where it comes from, and how to deal with it.
As a result, most of us just don’t appreciate what pain actually is and what creates it - nor what causes problems with posture & flexibility.
Maybe you've tried or still take painkillers, and don't understand why they don't really work, even while believing they would, if only you could find the right one?
We tend to buy into the story, all too often, that you’re like a machine that can be diagnosed & fixed by someone else. That if you’re in pain, the broken part of you will show up on an MRI or in a blood test. And then, with the right diagnosis, the ‘cause’ can be treated.
But the truth is, human beings just aren’t built that way...
I don't have to tell you, right, that we’re not machines! We're not even much like a computer, are we?
As you know, humans are far more complex than that!
For instance: The same 'abnormalities' and 'defects' of the spine will show up on the MRI scan of someone in their 30s who doesn't have back pain, as on an MRI scan of someone in their 30s who does suffer from terrible chronic back pain.
And, someone with chronic back pain may NOT have any abnormalities on their scan!
What does this mean? These so-called defects or abnormalities - a slipped or herniated disc, a torn ligament - only very rarely cause stiffness or pain. And they're not abnormal: changes like these are normal in everyone over 20!
Spine surgeons now recognise this. But it's hard to make those of us in pain (and those trying to help us) understand that obvious 'defects' in our bodies that show up on scans and in bloodwork, most often aren't the cause of chronic pain and posture problems...
The good news: As well as being complex, we humans are pretty amazing, right?
So... where can you find the most important resources you need to get rid of chronic pain & tension? To help you move with more ease?
Those resources are in you already – in your brain, your nervous system, and your inbuilt human capacity to create change in those powerful parts of yourself.
And those resources are what Clinical Somatic Education activates, through very specific movement and awareness techniques designed to gently but effectively change the way your brain and nervous system communicate. With exercises that literally get rid of bad habits 'stuck' in your body that cause your pain, and create new, pain-free habits instead... and that is what I teach in the SoMA Program.
This approach to pain, called Clinical Somatic Education, is not about "positive thinking" (because that alone won't get rid of chronic pain - however hard you try).
It's also very different from other practices that use the term "somatic", even though they sometimes have shared roots.
How is Clinical Somatic Education different from other 'somatics'?
It's based on neuroscience, and the insights of Thomas Hanna. Together, these show that we humans have evolved to go into very specific, full-body patterns in response to stress.
When we get "stuck" in these patterns (due to habituation, ongong stress, or trauma), this causes pain, tightness, and other problems.
So, Hanna figured out, the way to get rid of the pain that "getting stuck" causes, is to engage our conscious brain to take back control when our bodies, our nervous systems, are having trouble coping, and getting stuck in these "stress reflex" patterns...
Thomas Hanna, the philosopher who created Clinical Somatic Education in the 1980s, was a Feldenkrais practitioner for many years: it's Hanna who added a neurophysiological understanding to the somatic approaches he was taught.
Hanna's work, and the work of all Clinical Somatic Educators in his direct tradition (like me!),
(1) uses a very specific technique to lower muscle tension at the nervous system level, and
(2) focuses on three specific stress patterns in humans (related to fight/flight/freeze)
This blending of neuroscientific and somatic specificity is what creates a focused, efficient, and long-lasting approach to pain and tension, that really works.
Neuroscience shows that YOU are the one who can truly transform your life. That you CAN literally ease yourself away from pain, by making changes in your nervous system...
BUT HOW?
By using specific movements plus conscious awareness of what you're sensing and doing as you move, so that you send new information to your brain & nervous system.
WHY CAN'T SOMEONE ELSE FIX ME?
The movements that only you can make, from the inside, are the only truly effective way to overcome and make lasting change to the stress & "bad habits" literally stuck in your body, causing your pain. This can't be fixed "from the outside," by someone else.
Dawn rediscovered movement in her shoulders, and so relieved tension...
It’s proven that trauma & chronic stress can have a significant physiological impact on the brain, especially in childhood. And trauma, chronic stress and everyday stresses & strains have a big impact on you, all through your life.
But by activating your nervous system’s natural capacity for healing, you can get rid of pain, posture problems, waning flexibility, & more...
You can create new, more helpful pathways in your brain, to get rid of pain "from the inside."
To effectively re-wire your brain to move with greater ease, though, you have to change what your brain sees as your "normal" level of pain; to do that, you need to know
Specific ways that human bodies respond to stress,
What specific movements can get you out of those patterns of chronic muscle tightness, and
How to apply this information to YOUR pain, to YOUR body...
That's what Clinical Somatic Education does. That's why it works.
And that's why I teach it in my program to help people in pain.
Julie relieved her scoliosis pain and experienced comfort while lying on the floor... for the first time!
DO YOU WANT STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE through the movement & awareness practices that can make real, positive changes in your nervous system and your body, so you can live the pain-free life you crave?
Of course you do, right?!
So, let me introduce you to...
The SoMA PROGRAM
When you join the SoMA Program, you get online access to everything you need to transform yourself from the inside, step by step, so you can move through life with greater suppleness & ease, be more comfortable in your own skin, & get rid of pain
The SoMA Program uses a unique approach - one grounded in neuroscience, and that works with how you function, and your inbuilt capacity to create nervous system change from the inside, through movement.
This is very different from approaching you as a rigid structure, like a machine that can be "fixed" from the outside.
The SoMA Program shows you that stretching, strengthening, and therapies or treatments done TO you by someone else are NOT what will get you out of pain, nor will they improve your posture and mobility or flexibility (at least not in the long term).
Instead, movement and flow created by you - in your nervous system, as well as in your muscles and joints - is what will enable you to move with greater ease, more fluidity, and out of pain.
Focusing on the single technique for getting rid of pain and improving ease of movement that humans evolved to use, the SoMA Program's techniques, lessons, and classes all work with your body, never against it.
That way, your nervous system's "on board" with what's happening, making you more able to create real change in yourself. Working "from the insde" makes you much better able to take full advantage of the positive transformations that neuroplasticity makes possible!
The SoMA Program is something you can use in different ways, depending on your needs and interests.
You can use it to address "just" your back pain, your stooping posture, your scoliosis. And it will provide relief. But you can also take things deeper, if you want to...
In the SoMA Program you get classes & materials that empower you to:
* Get to know yourself better – including the good and "bad" habits of posture, breathing & tension you’ve developed in response to stresses in your life, and how to replace your unhelpful habits with more beneficial ones.
* Identify and override your habitual patterns of movement that cause (and worsen) your pain or tension.
* Create new, more helpful movement patterns that enable you to move with greater ease & efficiency - which in turn help you enjoy everyday activities more (from gardening and yoga, to swimming or playing a sport!)
* Challenge unhelpful, negative thoughts you might have about yourself and your pain, posture, flexibility, and mobility.
* Welcome a more positive, more realistic view of yourself and how you can move away from pain and into greater suppleness & ease.
Let me outline what you get when you sign up . . .
The SoMA Program Modules
Inside each of the six core SoMA Pogram Modules you'll find two core movement classes plus multiple shorter video & audio lessons that support what the full-length classes cover.
Each Module ALSO includes further materials to support your understanding of how Clinical Somatic Education works, information on other relevant techniques to support your movement away from pain, and space for you to make notes for yourself.
In each Module you get, just for example, video lessons providing variations of movements you've learned, troubleshooting tips, relaxation and sensing classes, written materials and audio classes about Clinical Somatic Education concepts and terms, and more besides!
You also get invaluable practical advice and short classes specifically designed to help you develop your movement learning to apply to your life, and your needs (including as your needs change over time).
Much more effective than stretching for aches, pains, and bad habits that build up working at a desk all day...
Like most people suffering from posture and flexibility issues, and ongoing pain (as I once did) you could spend years - decades, even - trying multiple treatments and practices to get out of pain, and to move with more ease. You may well experience relief from some of those. You may not.
By now, I probably don't have to tell you, right? It’s very unlikely that techniques and treatments that work on you from the outside will ever truly address chronic pain, nor get rid of most everyday aches and pains, and posture, flexibility, and mobility issues. Especially in the long term.
So... let's consider the investment for this approach, compared to your other options.
Think about it...
How much do monthly or weekly massage sessions cost? Or Pilates classes, perhaps, or another kind of therapy?
Regular visits to healthcare professionals, for treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy...?
How much do you spend on painkillers, other medications, even equipment to help you?
How many hundreds, even thousands of pounds or dollars have you spent (and might you spend in the future), to feel some relief?
Are the things you've spent all that money and time and hope on, getting rid of your chronic pain? Improving your posture? Helping with flexibility, mobility, and stress levels? Is it cost-effective?
How's that working out for you..?
If it's not working out, I hear you. I've been there - and so have many of my clients. And it's not a good place to be.
There are other ‘somatic’ practices out there - Feldenkrais; some forms of yoga; the Somatic Experiencing that I draw upon in the SoMA Program, to name just a few. (There are also practices that use the label 'somatic' in different ways.)
However, Clinical Somatic Education is the most focused, and the most effective 'somatic' approach, when it comes to reducing pain, easing tension, and overcoming problems with posture, mobility, and flexibility.
Why do I make that claim? Because, uniquely, Clincial Somatic Education works with the one specific technique we need to release muscle tension from the inside, and with the three, specific full-body patterns of tension that Thomas Hanna identified as causing so much human pain.
This also makes Clinical Somatic Education the most cost-effective approach!
WHAT'S THE INVESTMENT, to GET RID OF PAIN & LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT?
Even though Clincial Somatics IS cost-effective, a workshop, class series, weekend course or similar in Hanna Somatics (and Feldenkrais, yoga, & more) typically costs anywhere between £40 and £500 or more, while one-to-one clinical sessions typically cost from £50 to £130+ per session... Or if you sign up for a monthly or annual membership for classes, it'll cost you at least £35 to £60 per month (so, around £400 to £750 per year)... whether or not you attend classes regularly.
You may learn 1 or 2 movements per class, and maybe 4 or 5 in a weekend workshop. Often the movements you learn will be the same, at different events (and that's ok, because we always go back to fundamentals: but... it's not ideal). The same applies to free videos online: you won't ever get the full picture - nor how to tweak the movements you do learn, for your needs...
In contrast, the SoMA Program builds on what you’ve already learned as it adds to your knowledge one Module after the other. So you're always learning new movements, and new variations of the fundamentals, more often, and in a structured sequence that makes sense.
Once you join the SoMA Program, you don't have to find, pay for, and attend multiple workshops, series of classes, or memberships, and juggle your schedule around them. And you don't have to then "join the dots" for yourself.
You really do get to learn at your own pace: each and every class is available whenever you need it - including recordings of live classes (so you'll never "miss out"). And all the supporting materials to make sure you get the most out of each class, are also available whenever you need them.
I designed the SoMA Program this way to maximise its effectiveness, and to make it an excellent investment of your time, as well as great value.
When it comes down to it, NONE of the other options provides the full picture that the SoMA Program does.
Register for the SoMA Program and you get:
Classes and short lessons teaching all the fundamental movements, with a structured development across 12 core classes (Value £250+)
Multiple troubleshooting lessons, and lessons focusing on specific movements and variations, and more (Value £500+ and growing)
Multiple additional full-length and shorter classes, plus classes for relaxation & sensing (Value £300 and growing)
Live twice-monthly Q&A/workshop sessions (Value £240+ per quarter) plus a private Facebook group to get feedback on your practice and queries (priceless!)
Short classes and further materials providing guidance on developing your home practice (Value £200 and growing = priceless!)
Information, practices, and classes drawn from polyvagal theory (gut-brain connection), Somatic Experiencing®, and developments in neuroscience (Value £250+)
...and more!
ALL THIS has a value of well over £1,750
(that's over US$2,350)
The self-paced, self-study SoMA Program is priced at just
£99 x 4 months
Or pay in full & save: the full SoMA Program for £355
(that's approx. US$135 x 3 or US$484)
This is already exceptionally good value! (Why? Because I'm committed to making this amazing practice widely accessible)
And there's more!
You get fantastic BONUS content, too!
BONUS no. 1
LIFETIME ACCESS to the SoMA Program!
This means you really can learn at the pace that suits you, AND benefit from the ever-growing library of classes & other new materials. AND you can revisit the classes that help you the most, whenever you need them! (Priceless)
BONUS no. 2
LIVE CLASSES INCLUDED for your first 4 months!
Usually an optional extra investment, my gift to you of live classes gets you the opportunity for live feedback and being part of a group. Extra valuable if a live class commitment will keep you motivated! (Some of you will know exactly what I'm talking about, right? ;) (Value £120)
BONUS no. 3
An EXTRA SPECIAL Founding Member Bonus!
You get to request a short class, daily sequence 'playlist', or troubleshooting lesson to help with your area of pain or troublesome condition. I will create new content from YOUR requests, which'll be added to the SoMA Program modules. (Value £40+)
Here's a quick outline of what you get when you sign up!
(There are very limited spots available currently for SoMA Plus: send me an email or text to let me know if you're interested; we can arrange a Zoom call to discuss it.)
PLEASE NOTE: To ensure you can experience what changes the SoMA Program can make for you - and to allow it to work (without working against it) - you are STRONGLY encouraged to stop other treatments and practices (such as yoga, PT, massage, pilates, chiropractic) - and/or any pain medication (where possible) for at least a few weeks (unless doing so would go against medical directives), while you start learning the techniques and movements in the SoMA Program.
This does NOT mean you're expected or encouraged to "give up" any therapies or practices you love or find beneficial, after you've spent a few weeks focusing on Somatics! What it does, though, is give you the opportunity you need to experience and assess the effects of Somatics on you.
Some people do give up other practices and focus on Somatics. But many more use their regular Somatics practice and awareness to increase not just their comfort in everyday life, but their ability to benefit more from therapies such as massage, Bowen, and more, and to enjoy and "perform" better in activities from yoga, walking and dancing to running, cycling and lifting weights!
My GUARANTEE to You
When you regsiter for the SoMA Program, you'll be amazed at how soon you start feeling changes - even small ones - that give you greater ease in your body, some release of tension. I might be a noticable improvement in your breathing, your posture, or your mobility. If that doesn’t happen for you after completing Module 1, in the first 30 DAYS of your registration (or by 31 March 2022, whichever is longer) even when you've shown up for live sessions and not continued a therapy or other practice that counteracts CSE in that time, then you can ask for your money back.
As long as you commit some time and focus to following the guidance in the SoMA Program, I'm entirely confident it will work for you. That's why I can make this guarantee.
If you've felt no release of tension or greater ease after learning to pandiculate, or some overall benefit to your posture, mobility, or level of pain, after 30 days of practising what's taught in Module 1, I just ask you to send a 15-minute video of you practising some fundamentals from Module 1 to show me it's not working for you. If you still can't create any change after input from me, you'll get your money back.
This is a "do the work" guarantee (hence, I ask for a video). Why? Because for the SoMA Program to work, YOU need to commit some time and focus to doing the basics. I don't want to work with anyone who purchases online courses, gives them a go for a few days, and then requests a refund!
The SoMA Program is for you if you're committed to working gently to ease yourself away from pain - at your own pace, & with my guidance and support. (I'll absolutely help if it's really not working for you - we can work together to find out why.) If you practice what's taught in Module 1 (and more), helpful results are guaranteed!
STILL WONDERING IF the SoMA PROGRAM'S RIGHT FOR YOU?
THIS PROGRAM IS A GREAT FIT FOR YOU IF...
You want to learn how to combat pain without popping painkillers, & without resorting to surgery - but either haven't been given any other options, or none of them have really worked
You're frustrated that aches & pains, stiffness & tension, interfere with doing the things you love - from hillwalking to gardening, and playing with your grandkids to practising yoga... You want to find a way to get back your enjoyment & ability to do those things again (or, perhaps, to help maintain your current practice)
You suffer from a specific problem - maybe back pain, sciatica, RSI, tension headaches, or planta fasciitis - & despite having a diagnosis or "name" for your condition, nothing you try really seems to help, or not for more than few days, & despite the feeling you've "tried everything"
You feel stiff & tense much of the time, & your flexibility - your mobility, even - is declining. This might be, you think, from an injury, a trauma, or just "your age"
Whether or not it's painful, you're worried about your posture - you're stooping, slouching, or just don't feel "right" or comfortable in your own skin
You suffer from an exhausting condition such as fibro or ME, & are searching for how to address the pain, brain fog, & utter exhaustion you experience
You're trying to recover after an injury or surgery, & want to make the best recovery possible - even after your bone & tissue heals
You want to explore ways to be more in control of how you move, to keep pain away, & to move with freedom & ease; you're looking to smash the myth of ageing & live your life to the full!
You know the importance of self-care, & want to learn more about the myths about pain, posture and stretching, to keep yourself mobile & free from pain now & into the future
But... THIS PROGRAM IS NOT A GREAT FIT FOR YOU IF
You're content to carry on dealing with your pain by popping painkillers, using regular massage/physio/chiropractic or other treatments for a temporary fix, or having surgery or other intervention - and you believe that will work for you, or are willing to give it a try rather than commit to a movement practice
You're not ready for change: it may be you feel your pain is a big part of your identity, and you're happy being where you are: if you follow this program, you do need to be ready for real change!
You're determined to maintain another treatment regime despite starting this program. Remember: unless it would go against medical advice to do so, you should be willing to stop other practices and treatments (such as stretching regimes, yoga, chiropractic, physio) and pain medications (where possible) for at least a couple of weeks when starting this program. This is both to enable it to work effectively, and to enable you to experience what's happening!
You're not willing to put in the time and commitment to make changes in yourself: it does take commitment of time and focus to create change. And even though the time you spend on the SoMA Program can be as little as an hour a month, plus 10 or 20 minutes a few times a week, the neurophysiological bases of the practice does require active engagement to create change in your brain and nervous system. Clinical Somatic Education is not something that is done to you - it's something you're guided to do for yourself
Lastly: There are some, limited but specific health conditions that will affect whether or not the SoMA Program is the best fit for you. In particular:
Remember that if your pain is acute (so, likely from a clearly diagnosed source such as cancer, a recently broken and unhealed bone or unhealed wound), Clinical Somatics cannot address it directly (even though what you learn may well be of benefit for you in managing your pain, and at times when the acute pain is not an issue).
There are some conditions (such as MS and Parkinsons) that simply cannot be eradicated by Clinical Somatics, because of the specific neurological deficits involved in such conditions. Many people with such conditions, though, do find this practice helps them.
Get in touch if this applies to you and we can talk about your needs and expectations.
So, you have a choice to make...
Option 1:
You can choose to DO NOTHING
Doing nothing simply means that nothing will really change for you. You can continue hoping pain meds, or physical therapies, or even surgery, will give you the relief you crave - even though keeping on doing what hasn't worked for you, when you now better understand why it can't address pain, isn't likely to create change... That's your choice to make.
Option 2:
Start GETTING RID of your PAIN!
If you understand that to create change - to get rid of pain, tension, posture and mobility issues, and more - YOU need to create change from within, then the choice is perhaps easier to make. If you now realise WHY it is that trying more of what you've tried already is unlikely to help, then choosing the SoMA Program is perhaps obvious!
Your Instructor:
Samantha Holland, PhD.
I'm a Clinical Somatic Educator & Essential Somatics® Movement Teacher with an eclectic academic background in philosophy, cultural studies, and anthrozoology. Before training as a psychotherapist I was a practising barrister then did voluntary work overseas for several years. I changed my path quite radically, on discovering Hanna Somatics and Clinical Somatic Education. This amazing approach to pain and movement resolved my 10+ years of chronic neck, wrist, and hip pain, and also changed my elderly mother's life for the better, in her last few years.
I'm passionate about Clinical Somatic Education because it works! And its bases in philosophy and neuroscience make perfect sense.
I'm also passionate about teaching and problem-solving (as you can probably tell from my previous roles in life!).
This is why I love teaching Clinical Somatic Education. It's so much more than "movements" & "exercises". Seeing my clients combat their own pain & problems fills me with joy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN I DO THIS PROGRAM IF I HAVE AN INJURY?
Listen to your body, and follow the advice of your healthcare providers. In particular, if you have a broken bone, or are not ‘cleared for movement’ after an injury, you’ll want to wait till the bone’s healed - and you’re ‘cleared for movement’ - before starting this Program.
However, other than that, you can start this Program even if you have an injury or pain - after all, you may well be signing up BECAUSE you are in pain, so it’s no good if you’re then told to wait till your pain’s eased!
You are in charge of what you do, and taking care of yourself. You can absolutely work with tight muscles (one of the main aims of the Program is to ease them) and sore spots, and discomfort. You can work with areas where you feel pain. But in all cases, you should ease up, back off, or just plain stop doing a movement if you feel pain (or increased pain, in an area where you already had pain). Note that you can always start this Program by imagining, or ‘visualising’, yourself doing the movements: this will still help you, and is a technique I’ve used with clients who start out in severe pain or who have very low mobility. Imagining yourself making a movement lights up the same parts of your brain and nervous system as actually making the movement - so your nervous system will benefit, even if to start with you don’t actually move!
HOW MUCH IMPROVEMENT SHOULD I EXPECT?
Very obviously, this will differ from person to person, as you each bring different levels and types of pain, and different experiences, to the Program. But within a month or two - assuming you go through Module 1 in that time, and show up for a class or a Q&A, you should experience enough change (or, the realisation that you can create change) to feel you can expect further positive change, and to have those changes make your life that little bit easier at least.
One or two months is not long to address problems and pain that may well have been with you for months, years, or decades. But it is time to get started on a journey to getting rid of pain and improving posture and mobility - and for many, positive changes do come within just a few classes, and the first class starts to make things happen!
WHAT KINDS OF PAIN, PROBLEMS & CONDITIONS CAN THE SoMA PROGRAM HELP?
As well as aches and pains, chronic pain, and problems with posture, flexibility and mobility, there are a lot of specific, named 'conditions' that Clinical Somatic Education, and so the SoMA Program, have a lot of success with - including, but not limited to back pain, neck pain, hip pain, knee pain, foot pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, RSI, carpal tunnel, thoracic outlet syndrome, tennis elbow; ME, fibromyalgia, general 'chronic pain' conditions and many so-called 'medically unexplained symptoms' (MUS); pain from bursitis, arthritic pains, tension headaches, TMJ/TMD issues, sleeplessness/insomnia, sciatica, SI joint pain, scoliosis, leg-length discrepancy, stress, anxiety and depression, shallow breathing, recovery from injuries, limps, surgeries and old injuries, stroke recovery, recovery from whiplash injuries, and more.
ARE THERE CONDITIONS THAT THE PROGRAM CAN'T HELP?
There are. Some diseases (cancer is perhaps the most obvious) and acute pain (open wounds, broken bones, etc.) cannot be helped directly by Clinical Somatic Education (CSE).
The specific neurological causes of conditions such as MS and Parkinsons mean CSE cannot get rid of them - although it can be very helpful for some clients, especially in helping them make use of the motor control they do have.
Conditions such as true arthritis, bursitis, and AS cannot be "got rid of" by CSE. It can, however, help alleviate some of the pain stemming from these conditions, and improve your capacity for movement and control. (It's also worth noting that in my experience and that of many other Clinical Somatic Educators, often a diagnosis of arthritis, structural scoliosis, and more is not borne out in practice. What do I mean? Well, there are clients who practice Hanna Somatics movements and "get rid" of pain despite such a diagnosis. In those cases we can only assume that their pain & symptoms were such that the diagnosis made sense to the medical professionals, but there must've been another cause of the pain, that was functional in nature (i.e., chronically tight muscles), which could be relieved by Clincial Somatic Education.)
If you have a condition such as MS or Parkinsons, feel free to get in touch and we can discuss whether the SoMA Program might help you, or not (and whether there are other more appropriate options - such as putting you in touch with a Clinical Somatic Educator geographically close to you, as in-person, hands-on work might be beneficial where entirely self-guided online work might not).
HOW DO I ACCESS THE PROGRAM?
When you register, you will get taken directly to the course portal and you will be able to set up a password for access to the Program. You should then be able to access all the Module videos, audios, PDFs and other materials from any device you have with Internet access, such as a mobile, tablet, desktop, or laptop.
HOW WILL I ACCESS THE LIVE CLASSES, AND THE Q&A/WORKSHOP SESSIONS?
You will receive emails with Zoom links for the Q&A/workshop sessions, and for the live classes (if you choose to attend them).
Zoom is a simple, free system that allows you access to my virtual 'Zoom room' where you can use your device audio and camera to join in group classes and discussions. You just have to click on the link in my email to attend: if you've not used Zoom before it will ask you to download a (safe) app, which you will need to do to gain access. Please make sure you've downloaded the app so you can get to class 5 or 10 minutes early.
IF I'M A BEGINNER, &/OR IF I'M IN PAIN, WILL I BE ABLE TO DO THE CLASSES?
Yes! The SoMA Program is designed to work for people with no previous experience of this approach (as well as those who do know something about it), and it's designed to be accessible by people in chronic pain.
Most of the full-length classes are done lying down, and if you need to, you can do them lying on a fairly firm mattress. Also (and I speak to this inside the Program), because of the neurological nature of the work, listening to a class and imagining or visualising yourself moving is an effective place to start if your pain, or mobility issues make it harder to do more than that. Similarly, micro movements are great, too (and both those methods are also a good idea to try for anyone who tries to over-effort, or push themselves!)
The classes and practices I teach use a very gentle approach, and a very personal one. What's easy for some is not for others. What's manageable for some, is not for others. And I am well aware of this. Many adaptations of movements are possible, as is the use of simple props (like a folded towel) to make you comfortable. (Much of this is covered in the 'welcome' section of the program, and you can of course attend live Q&As or ask questions by email or in the Facebook about e.g. a particular adaptation.)
Note that whatever your starting point, as you develop your practice, previous positions, movement and lessons you couldn't do, will very likley become possible and far easier for you. And the SoMA Program enables you to go at whatever pace works for you, so you're not struggling to 'keep up'.
I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE OF CLINICAL SOMATIC EDUCATION, HANNA SOMATICS, & ESSENTIAL SOMATICS: IS THIS PROGRAM FOR ME?
Yes, I think so! This practice is an ongoing process, and we can all learn from each other. Just because you know the fundamentals (the four or five 'key' movements of Hanna Somatics) doesn't mean you can't learn new things about them every single time you do them for yourself, with a new teacher, or with an 'old' teacher! Also consider that the SoMA Program uses different terminology and approaches to the naming and understanding of the 3 Reflexes from a more trauma-informed perspective, and draws on the insights of polyvagal theory and more.
So, there will be movements or adaptations or variations that are new to you, classes that are new, ways of approaching the work that might well be new, and also sensing, relaxation and other classes that might also be new or bring a different perspective. See what you think!
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE LIVE CLASSES?
No! These are optional. The SoMA Program is designed to work as a standalone online program, so all you need is in there. That said, if you find being part of a small group helps with motivation, and if you're having real difficulty with the movements, attending is a great idea. The same applies for the live Q&A/workshop sessions.
Most live classes (technology willing) will be recorded and included in the SoMA Program library.
WILL I GET INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION & FEEDBACK IN THE SoMA PROGRAM?
In the Facebook group, you can ask questions and I will be active in there. There are also the live Q&A sessions where you can ask for my feedback, and the live classes are small groups where some individual attention is possible. Other than that, remember that one of your sign-up bonuses is to get an individual short class/movement playlist.
The SoMA Program provides guidance on how to personalize your own practice, of course. I'm open to considering requests for additional short lessons that can be added to the program, too - so you're always free to contact me to make a request that might help your own practice.
Note that if you sign up for SoMA PLUS, you will of course get individual attention. If this is really important to you, do consider signing up for that Program with the personalised lessons and attention it includes.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO SPEND ON THE PROGRAM?
There is no set amount of time you need, or have to spend on the program. People have very different schedules and capacity to make the space to do this kind of work. You need to figure out what will work for you.
If you can't commit at least an hour or 90 minutes once a month, plus some time each week (say two or three half-hour slots weekly), then you might find it hard to make much progress. This is because even though you might 'learn' some useful movements, and feel benefits when you do the class or lesson, your brain and nervous system do need more frequent stimulation to change, to be able to actually make change! So factor this in - and try to commit to spending an hour/90 minutes on the program once a week or once every two weeks, with 5, 10 or 30 minutes a day, a few days each week (ideally, every day), to get the most out of the program and your own ability to re-train your brain.
But even if you do a few hours one week, then life gets in the way and you leave it and don't get back to it for a month, then the same thing happens? It's not ideal, and it's unlikley you'll make big changes. BUT it's still worth it, as you still stand a chance of creating significant change, and also if you commit some time to understanding what works for you, then as little as 5 or 10 minutes 4 or 5 days a week can make a difference to your daily life.
Because you get lifetime access to the SoMA Program, you won't "lose money" (as you would with a membership or missed classes, for instance) if you slack of for few weeks or even months: it's still there for you!
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO GET THROUGH THE SoMA PROGRAM?
As long as you need! The program’s structured in 6 modules that you can take at your own pace.
You have LIFETIME ACCESS to the SoMA Program that you can through at you own pace and review, revisit and apply your new learning to at any time.
However long you spend going through it, you can then start exploring all the additional classes, workshops and more - including those that will have built up in the time you spent going through the Modules; and then you might want to re-take most of the Modules over again.
I always encourage students to go back and revisit earlier classes and lessons: the experience of the "same" lesson can be quite different on a different day, and at a different stage of your life and learning!
Really getting to grips with pandiculation and how to best use the clinical somatic education movements to their full potential for YOUR soma, is a lifetime practice: it’s not something you’ll "master" just by completing all the Modules and bonus lessons. But the SoMA Program provides you with the fundamentals - and a lot more, so you can ground your practice and build it to get more and more from somatic movements and awareness for your lifetime.
Paying for the SoMA Program: Your payment is for the full program. It is not a monthly membership, subscription, or similar. If you choose to take advantage of making four smaller payments, you will need to make all four payments (there is no subscription/membership to cancel, and you will have had access to the full program). Please ask if you have any questions!
Medical Disclaimer
All the material in the SoMA Program is intended for educational purposes only. The content of the SoMA Program is not (nor is a substitute for) medical including mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Samantha Holland, PhD, ESMT, CSE, BFRP is not a medical doctor: she will educate you about how you can take care of yourself somatically, but you are responsible for monitoring your own health and choosing movements that are beneficial to you, and not pushing into pain. If you have specific questions or concerns about any medical matter, or think you may be suffering from a medical condition, you should consult your doctor or healthcare provider. You should not rely on any information or guidance the SoMA Program or Samantha Holland provides you with as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or healthcare provider.
Your Privacy
I never sell or otherwise share your personal information with anyone else. I use your personal details only for the purposes of providing you sevices you have paid for and requested, and for sending you information from time to time about the SoMA Program and/or other courses or materials I believe might be of interest to you. If you choose to join the SoMA Program's pivate Facebook group, it's up to you what information you share: you're advised not to share any sensitive information in the group and to guard against identity theft and other potential concerns just as you would anywhere online.
My full Privacy Policy is on my website, along with my Terms & Conditions.
Carolyn got rid of her sciatica, and improved her everyday life by walking and sitting with greater ease - even on long journeys!
A quick recap of what you get when you register...
12 core classes to structure your learning, with multiple clinical-informed short lessons to inform your practice
Additional classes & workshops you can access at any time (from a growing library)
Audio, visual & written materials about Clinical Somatic Education and related areas of movement and awareness practice
Classes focusing on relaxation, breathing, sensing, vagus nerve health, and more
Short sample classes and plenty other guidance including movements that work well for specific complaints (such as back pain, carpal tunnel, sciatica, scoliosis), to help you develop the best regular practice for your needs and your schedule...
... and much more besides, including your fantastic bonuses!
