The Beauty of Somatic Awareness

What's in a Name?

Introduction

All content and Links are atop the page

Don't worry if you're completely new to somatic learning; you will find it only requires your attention and willingness to explore. It's been shown that having shorter periods of input, with frequent pauses, speeds the learning process and enhances the quality. Thus, content will be presented in that manner, along with all the information needed to help you. If you're already an advanced learner, or perhaps a practitioner yourself. I welcome and encourage you to revisit where you may have started years ago. In addition to exploring something again with a new perspective, we're reminded that there's no limit to the level of refinement possible within each exploration.

Welcome to Cognizant Soma, where you'll find tutorials and guidance to help you reach your goal of improved health, mobility, and overall physical and mental well-being. Together, we'll do so through the process of neuro-somatic learning. Sounds as if we're over-reaching a bit? I assure you, we're not. There are many such accounts, but this site is about "doing", "acquiring", and "becoming". If you'd like inspirational stories and accounts, just click on the "Stedawi" site (Links). Here, we will focus on you exploring and discovering for yourself, in a safe and friendly environment, on your own time, and in your own surroundings.

This introduction has somewhat described the Feldenkrais Method, but all somatic learning techniques form around similar concepts, despite individual differences. This process is, in my opinion, the most natural and accessible gateway to Neuro-Plasticity available today! The possibilities are lying there in wait, and the only reason you can't imagine them being real is that you don't yet have the tools to open those doors. Regardless, you will still advance toward a healthier, happier, upgraded version of yourself. As I mentioned earlier...awareness begets awareness, like the gathering tumbleweed, thus creating greater understanding with each gathered bit, and that is the beauty of somatic awareness!

Somatic learning is organic, meaning it is learned from within rather than by inputting knowledge from others. It is knowledge, or understanding, that stays with you and is always available, like learning to swim or ride a bike. It begins with bits of awareness, which accumulate to create understanding, thus inviting greater awareness, which creates more understanding, which invites more awareness...you get the picture. At some point, you find that you're different, even if you're not sure why! So let's condense this a bit more, in terms of describing the process. First comes observation, Next comes exploration with sensing that fully engages your focus and attention. Note that Perceptions are often called upon, but know that perceptions can sometimes be way off the mark! So let me repeat...it's the "focused attention" that is the driving force!

No learning format should proceed without some degree of perspective. Life is now a constant stream, offering choices, even promises, that often seem to have no real substance or value. Together, we can do better. A wide range of potential benefits, unique to each of us, is within reach if we can get beyond that "start-up phase" where so many stop to look for the "next thing" to try. Why? Well, because it hasn't offered instant results. Successful investors, athletes, performing artists, business owners, researchers, and students in any curriculum have all embraced delayed gratification. A meaningful return involves some form of investment. In this case, that investment is your time and attention!

Well, I think "Cognizant" speaks for itself, but you can decide between "conscious", "fully informed", "Aware"...or such. "Soma," however, is a different matter because it has various meanings across different cultures and fields of study. We will defer to the original concept of "whole body", "living body", or "whole person". Just to be clear, we will include the mind, meaning the functioning brain, complete with thoughts and emotions. I use the terms "somaticist" and "neuro-somaticist often, when referring to a somatic practitioner or educator. Note that they are not to be confused with "somatist" or "somatism"...philosophical terms for materialism or corporeal body only, without the mind.

Whether you're sensing a movement, position, body part, breath, or emotion, each serves as the object of your attention, but it is the focused attention itself that is the driving force. The ensuing effects on neural pathways, networks, and cognition are what create the pattern changes.