These classes include the following elements to varying degrees

• Fundamental Somatic Movement Exercises devised by Thomas Hanna to help create balance within the basic muscles groups ( flexors/extensors/lateral flexors and rotators) .

• Integrative Whole Body Movements

• Qigong, and/or Yoga , and/or Pilates taught from a somatic perspective.

By performing the movements slowly you are able to observe the means by which you are doing what you are doing , thereby informing you whether you are doing what you intended to do or has your movement gone down an habitual or compensatory route. Chronically held tension can interfere with the fluidity and efficiency of our movement. By using Pandiculation techniques you can learn to gradually release chronic tension patterns from your system and have better quality movement.

Thomas Hanna refers to held stress responses known as “red light “, green light “ and the “trauma reflex”. These first of these correspond to the “stratle “ and “Landau” reflexes which formed the basis of our early movement patterns as babies. It is proposed that when we are exposed to prolonged or intense negative stress (physical or mental/emotional) we can revert back into the reflex patterns disrupting our natural flow of movement .

Some of the classes take a deeper dive and are slower paced to allow more time to explore and release tension as well as chance to ask questions. Others such as the Thursday morning class in Marcham blend in some other movement forms such as Qigong .