Somatic Movement Therapy: A Body-Mind-Spirit Approach to Exercise

We're excited and pleased to announce that online Somatic Movement Therapy classes are starting at the CHI, taught by Mrs. Anna Crandlemire.  These classes use gentle movement with mindfulness as therapy for improving flexibility, posture and spinal alignment, and for pain reduction and nervous system regulation.  

‘Entry level’ class for anyone who has not been exercising, or who is dealing with chronic illness/pain

This first series of classes is an ‘entry level’ class for anyone who has not been exercising, or who is dealing with chronic illness/pain (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, etc.) or recovering from surgery (6 to 8 weeks post-surgery).  The only equipment needed is a sturdy chair and a comfortable, warm area to lie down (floor or firm mattress).

• In the first half of the class, we will do a grounding exercise, then warm up the muscles and joints and do gentle movements and stretches. 
• In the second half of the class, we will continue doing gentle movements while we lie on the floor or on a firm mattress. 

Throughout the class, Anna will guide participants in sensing the body and in ‘seeing’ the changes in body and mind that occur.  The movements are meditative and the overall effect is very calming for the nervous system.  You’ll be ready for a good night’s sleep at the end of class!

What does somatic mean?

These classes focus on sensing the body, paying attention to the ‘inner landscape’.  The term ‘somatic’ refers to the body, and more specifically the interior of the body. 

We can think of it also as ‘embodied movement’ where we are observing and sensing how the movement feels.  When we are in stillness, we can sense asymmetries (in shoulders/hips/feet etc) - which relate to imbalances in the muscles. This awareness greatly assists the body in its ability to self-correct and rebalance.  When we are more balanced in our muscles, our spine and skeleton is more balanced and we can move more efficiently and have less pain.

Our bodies have an enormous potential to heal and self-correct.  Learning how to partner with the body and assist it in its self-healing is a life long skill that we are trying to master.  In these classes, Anna seeks to help clients develop a closer mind-body connection so that they are more in tune with their body.  They complement her manual therapy sessions, and provide clients with tools that they can use at home for nervous system regulation and achieving better postural alignment and reducing pain.

Online Somatic Movement Therapy classes are being offered through the CHI starting Apr 10, 2025

Taught by Anna Crandlemire, these classes will be held over Zoom, on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.  There will be ten classes (April 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22; June 5, 12, 19). Note: no class on May 29.

Registration is either per class @ $15/class or per series (10 classes) @ $120.
The cost includes HST.

Attend a FREE Webinar Info Session: What is Somatic Movement Therapy?
Thursday, April 3rd, 7:30 - 8:30 pm