Somatic approaches change lives. But when asked how or why, practitioners often struggle to articulate their insights. Common explanations range from neuroplasticity, self-image and brain maps to the autonomic nervous system, hormones, and fascial remodeling. But do these really reflect our current scientific understanding of mind and body? More importantly, how do they fit together into a coherent picture?  

In this webinar, we will examine these questions (and more) by diving into the exciting world of modern neuroscience. Taught by two somatic practitioners who are also PhD-level neuroscientists, this course builds a bridge between embodied experience and conceptual understanding. While the course offers many practical takeaways, its deeper value lies in the idea that expertise comes from understanding a subject from multiple different perspectives.  

This course emphasizes accessibility and relevance for somatic movement practitioners. Each week we will cover one of the following topics in the context of Somatics: perception, attention, emotion, body representation, brain states, movement/posture/tone, and how these relate to the mind and emotions. A more detailed syllabus is provided below. In addition to pre-recorded lectures, we will hold weekly discussions to integrate course material with lived experience.  

No prior background in science is necessary as the course will provide the necessary background. Participants will work through course content before the week’s live session. This entails watching approximately 1 hour of pre-recorded video lecture, writing a short essay to bridge practice and experience to the course content, and answering a multiple-choice quiz to reinforce important concepts. There is also optional reading for those who want to go deeper on particular topics.  

Engaging discussion in the live classes will help you process and relate to the course material. However, if you can’t attend, recordings of the live sessions will be available to watch after each class.

LEARNING GOALS INCLUDE:

• Becoming a better educator by learning to communicate the science of Somatics.
• Deepening your practice by building an appreciation for the underlying neurophysiology.
• Building confidence in your practice by understanding its effects on the body and mind.