McTimoney Chiropractor

Somatic Exercise Ealing

Somatic Movement Classes in London

Somatic Movement, or Somatic Exercise, offers a gentle, mindful approach to self-care, improving physical and mental well-being. By developing sensory awareness through gentle movement, somatic exercise helps release tension, enhance posture, and foster a stronger mind-body connection.

Emphasising gentle, mindful movement and cultivating a deeper connection to bodily sensations, Somatic Movement enables you to let go of habitual tension and experience a renewed sense of physical well-being.

Book a FREE Call
Somatic Movement Classes in London

Learn somatic exercise techniques

Somatic Movement Classes Conveniently Located for People in Ealing

Somatic Movement is for everyone, no matter your age or fitness level. It offers amazing benefits like stress relief, increased well-being, a sense of grounding, and improved overall movement. Whether you want to move more easily in your daily life, deepen your yoga practice, or enhance your performance in more demanding activities, Somatic Movement can help you.

I offer sessions online, in the comfortable space of my clinic in Angel, or, weather permitting, outdoors in one of the lovely parks in Islington or nearby. All easily accessible from Ealing.

Somatic means the sense of connection between your mind and your body – how you experience yourself physically. My movement sessions use principles from Hanna Somatics, the Feldenkrais Method, and motor imagery. We focus on slow, gentle movements that help you release stress and tension, improving your range of motion and reducing pain. We’ll create a personalised practice to support your healing and recovery.

Conveniently Located for Clients from Ealing

I am based Islington, North London, easily accessible from Ealing and anywhere in London, making it a perfect destination for those seeking expert care.

Situated on Highbury Crescent, our location is well-connected via the London Underground and just a short distance from Highbury & Islington station.

Wherever in London you're travelling from, multiple public transport links make your journey from Ealing straightforward and hassle-free.

What is Somatic Exercise?

You may already know about some Somatic Movement approaches, including the Alexander Technique, the Feldenkrais Method, and Hanna Somatics. Somatic Movement is similar to other movement practices, like Yoga or Pilates, but with a different goal. Instead of focusing on strength or flexibility, we aim to identify and release patterns of chronic tension that develop due to everyday stress and physical challenges.

Somatic Movement exercises retrain your brain to release habitual tension patterns in your body. They involve simple movements that engage your nervous system. It’s like teaching your brain how to move more efficiently. Somatic Movement exercises are slow, deliberate, and performed with minimal effort. The goal is not to push beyond one's limits, but to gently explore the body's range of motion and release tension.

My unique approach to Somatic Movement combines principles from Hanna Somatics, the Feldenkrais Method, and motor imagery. You’ll learn to assess your current state and make gentle adjustments to let go of stiffness and expand your range of movement.

Benefits of Somatic Exercise

Somatic therapist in London

What are the Benefits of Somatic Exercise

Somatic exercise benefits a wide range of people, from athletes and office workers to those recovering from injuries. Here are some key benefits.

  • Promotes relaxed posture: Gently unwind your body for easier movement and comfort in everyday activities.
  • Improves focus: Addresses tension caused by repetitive movements or sedentary postures
  • Increases flexibility and range of motion: Somatic Movement can help to restore flexibility and range of motion.
  • Self-Empowerment: Developing a Somatic Movement practice empowers you with a powerful self-care tool, positively impacting your well-being and recovery from pain or injury.
  • Enhances body awareness: Practising Somatic Movement cultivates a deeper understanding of your body and its sensations.
  • Reduces stress: Somatic Movement is a mindful, self-care practice that helps to manage stress and anxiety.

Somatic exercises offer powerful stress reduction tools by encouraging a focus on internal experience through gentle, mindful movement.  Through somatic techniques, you learn to release tension, enhance body awareness, and restore balance to both mind and body.

New Person Consultation

Book a Consultation

An Initial Consultation prepares the groundwork for us working together. I believe in building a strong connection with my clients. This helps me understand your unique needs and how I can best support you. As a healthcare professional, I need to gather some information about your health history to ensure I can provide safe and effective care. An initial consultation helps us both determine if I’m the best person to help you achieve your goals.

Book a Consultation
How Does Somatic Exercise Work?

How Does Somatic Exercise Work?

Thomas Hanna, the creator of Hanna Somatics, proposed that many chronic pain conditions and physical limitations stem from what he called Sensory-Motor Amnesia (SMA). He theorized that SMA develops when the brain loses awareness of specific muscles, resulting in habitual contraction. While Hanna believed this was due to a loss of awareness, current understanding suggests that the brain uses tension protectively - like a safety barrier. This becomes an ingrained and unconscious pattern over time. These patterns can be triggered by various factors such as stress, injury, repetitive movements, and emotional experiences.

Somatic Exercise uses gentle, deliberate movements called "pandiculations."  These involve contracting a muscle group, slowly releasing the contraction, and noticing the resulting relaxation. This process helps to re-educate the brain and nervous system to remove those habitual safety barriers. The focus is not on forcing a stretch, but rather on gently exploring the range of motion and noticing the sensations within the body.

Find Out More
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Exercise?

Somatic exercise techniques benefit many people

Who Can Benefit from Somatic Exercise?

Whether you’re an athlete, a desk worker, or someone recovering from injury, somatic exercise can help. We welcome individuals from all walks of life who want to:

  • Address tension from repetitive movements or poor posture
  • Improve flexibility and range of motion
  • Manage chronic pain
  • Cultivate mindful movement practices

Somatic exercise offers powerful tools for stress reduction by guiding individuals to focus on their internal experience through gentle, mindful movement. Using somatic therapy techniques, participants learn to release tension, improve physical awareness, and restore balance to both mind and body.

What people say about Marie Ayres

Marie is professional, warm, and well-informed, as a skilled practitioner. I have seen many McTimoney Chiropractors over twenty years and have every confidence in Marie’s gentle and effective approach. Mark Greenaway-Robbins

I had severe pain in my shoulder and the top of my arm about 6 years ago and was due to have surgery. I attended a few sessions with Marie and the pain disappeared within weeks. No surgery needed. I now attend every few months to avoid the problem returning. So far so good….. Bernadette Kane

This lady is fantastic. Hurt my back badly, could barely stand straight. She sorted it out and could always relieve the tension in my neck. Highly recommend Marie Ayres. Naomi, Fleet

New Person Consultation

Book a Consultation

An Initial Consultation prepares the groundwork for us working together. I believe in building a strong connection with my clients. This helps me understand your unique needs and how I can best support you. As a healthcare professional, I need to gather some information about your health history to ensure I can provide safe and effective care. An initial consultation helps us both determine if I’m the best person to help you achieve your goals.

Book a Consultation