Karen continues recalibrating the 8 basic movement lessons in the book Somatics, by Thomas Hanna. In this class she focuses on the second lesson, pp. 106-109, controlling the flexor muscles of the stomach. She continues to brilliantly update some of the language, content, and choice of movement examples based on her experience working with clients and teaching classes. She always begins in standing with an assessment, starting with feet and a comparison of weight bearing between the right and left foot and proceeds up through the body. She also guided us through an assessment in sitting regarding weight bearing with the sits bones, feet on the floor, and our relationship to uprightness. She spent some time having us be aware of where we position our eyes in relationship to spinal and trunk movement, especially flexion and extension. Most of the rest of the class was guided with us lying on the floor. Karen is very precise in her instructions which helps us to pay attention to how we are organizing ourselves. Her guidance often leads us to challenge our expectations which may confront our comfort levels. She uses the technique of "motor planning" which helps us think through how we are going to move ourselves before we actually move. This is a valuable skill to practice and is widely used in the sports world for improving performance. She thoroughly led us through variations of the complimentary oppositional trunk and spine movements involving flexion and extension and how that affects our entire body.

3/1/25: Zoom Class: Recalibration of Lesson 2 from "Somatics" by T. Hanna, Guest Teacher Karen Meyer

Disclaimer: These recordings are for educational purposes only.  Please do all somatic movements comfortably, slowly, and without pain or force. Please consult appropriate medical or health care providers if you have any concerns about whether the movements are suitable for you, especially if you are dealing with an illness or injury, are pregnant, or have other health, balance or mobility issues.

3/1/25: Zoom Class: Recalibration of Lesson 2 from "Somatics" by T. Hanna, Guest Teacher Karen Meyer

Susan Koenig