Stephen Williams
B.A. M.A. LMT GCFP
Honolulu, HI USA
and thanks Dad, for everything !
I use the term 'Somaticist' (not to be confused with 'Somatist') to best describe those who work in the field of Somatic Awareness. With the amount of attention I give to behavioral and cognitive aspects, 'NeuroSomaticist' often seems the more appropriate term.
My work with neurosomatics began obscurely when I chose to integrate elements of post-graduate neuro-psychology coursework into my practice as a Shiatsu Therapist. Truthfully, most clients weren't the least bit interested in somatic awareness. They simply wanted their sore back or stiff neck fixed while they chatted or dozed off. But the few who came aboard helped grow my understanding of what was possible.
In 2007, a bike accident left me with a painful limp that ended my physical activities for 18 months. Desperate to regain myself, I applied a somatic approach to walking, but oddly enough, found that jogging caused less discomfort. Thus, in August of 2008, I returned to running—sorry, "jogging" after a 40-year absence. When I mentioned the thought of someday running Boston to some runners, they laughed! With strict qualifying times, the Boston Marathon often remains on one's "bucket list" for a lifetime. Having once been a runner, their response burned in me all the way home—I registered for the December Honolulu marathon the moment I walked in the door. The qualifying time was achieved, and I returned to Boston 5 more times, finishing 2nd in 2012. While exposing my clients to somatics had been the 'Proof of Concept phase, I was now the field test subject for the 'Proof of Work' phase. Sadly, I never again saw the runners who had laughed at me, but the real upside to these events lies in a story on the "Stedawi" site (links).
As work demands changed, the nature of my 'Observational Field Tests' also changed as I moved from the roads to the track. In 2015, I gifted my father a second U.S. national title fifty years after the local newspaper published a photo of him lifting his son, the starting quarterback for the 1960 Pop Warner World Champions in football. The game was radiocast live from L.A. to the fans back east, I had chatted with Walt Disney in his office, and been kissed by film star and teen heartthrob, Annette Funicello. Does it get any better for a 12-year-old? Now it had all come full circle with a USA gold medal for his 100th birthday. Not long after, I viewed a post by someone in Berlin whose somatic analysis of top runners seemed to match my own in every respect. Curious, I reached out, only to discover that I had seen her somatic methodology profiled years earlier. I had brushed it off, but had I read further, I would have seen how closely it resembled what I had been doing, and how remarkable the creator had been. He had literally been a pioneer in neuro-plasticity, as much so as Paul Bach-y-Rita had been, just differing in approach. So a shout-out to Jae Gruenke for having given me a reason to take another look at Moshe Feldenkrais's work in somatics
sdw
Thanks for visiting,
About Me—A Personalized Introduction
NeuroSomatic Educator / Practitioner /Author
In 2017, I returned to the master's U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Baton Rouge, with the dream of winning two national titles. That dream was realized, and more. The occasion had been the perfect "Field Test" for the work I was doing. In those few years, starting with 'unable to walk' and ending with a #3 World Ranking, I discovered what was possible simply by practicing what I was teaching, but the benefits went far beyond just physical. I overhauled my entire practice, fully embracing NeuroSomatic learning and breath. It was clear what it had done for me, and I saw what it was doing for my clients. There were holdouts, and I respected that. Still, I'm sad to this day, seeing the condition some of them are presently in and knowing what could have been—if only! The sports accolades were nice, but no nicer than the gratitude expressed by clients I've been able to help. In 2018, I chose to enter the Feldenkrais Professional Training program, extended to six years by the pandemic. I added an Advanced Breathing Instructor certification during that period. Many of us faced hardships during that time; I chose to embrace mine as opportunities, and do so still. As for the work itself, the physical and physiological benefits became obvious. But it's the profound links to recent neuroscience discoveries that now fascinate me the most. The path that leads to functional somatic awareness (breath included) does not end there—it has, in fact, set me upon the newest, most fascinating, and most challenging journey I've ever undertaken. Perhaps I'll share some of it here.
