Sierra Somatics

03/03/2024

Great post, and so true to what I have been experiencing lately! Releasing the trauma reflex and the tension in my waist and back eases the discomfort I have been feeling in my right foot.
This work never astonishes to amaze me. So life-changing, and so accessible.

Can somatic movement help with plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition accompanied by heel pain and inflammation of the plantar fascia.

Most current “fixes” for this condition address the foot in isolation from the rest of the body: stretching, different shoes, ice, shock wave therapy and more.

Those suffering from plantar fasciitis generally show up with a habituated Trauma Reflex (one side of the body is tighter than the other; this muscular imbalance hikes and rotates one side of the pelvis) and tension on one side of the back.

When these reflexes become habituated the gait changes.

We walk like a car with one flat tyre, the legs function differently from right to left and one foot lands more forcefully and heavily on one side than the other.

This gait pattern contributes to heel pain and tight fascia.

The solution?

Learn to release the tight, shortened waist muscles on one side (as well as the co-contracted waist muscles on the other side), release the back muscles, and restore balance and symmetry through the pelvis.

When you do this, the legs and feet will be able to function more evenly and efficiently from right to left.

Give it a try and let us know the results in the comments👇🏼

12/12/2023

I haven't had brain space to create any new posts since having my baby, but I wanted to share a well written blog post by Essential Somatics regarding repetitive movements and injuries. I have so many baby-tending repetitive movements I do daily and if I am not self-sensing and self-regulating, I start to feel discomfort!

"Somatic Education, especially when learned at a young age, teaches increased awareness of muscles, movement and coordination. This knowledge can be applied to any sport or activity no matter the age.

"When we repeat an action again and again – whether it is pitching a baseball or sitting slumped over our computer answering emails – our muscles learn to tighten in a specific pattern. The body adapts itself to that movement or posture, however uncomfortable so that the next time you engage in that activity your body is ready!"

https://essentialsomatics.com/repetitive-stress-and-muscular-pain/?fbclid=IwAR3J1C75RvbN4rBix_CGDLOfotkaMof2D8lcxPIJNQu4rgOcfr7i8d6YYvs

Tell me, what movements or positions do YOU do repetitively? Right now a big one for me is breastfeeding!

Who doesn’t remember the mantra “no pain, no gain?” It was popular during the aerobics boom of the 70’s and 80’s and is still alive and well today. Unfortunately for younger athletes, adhering to such a belief could mean a lifetime of muscular pain. In Hanna Somatic Education, our mantra i...

11/08/2023

I love how my Somatics colleague writes about this. 💜❤️

Muscle tension and pain occurs when muscles are held in tension by a reflex. And as you have probably experienced when the doctor uses the rubber hammer on your joints at your annual visit, reflexes are largely outside of your control.

Somatic Movement does not try to fix a tension problem, a body problem, or a deficiency in your body. When you practice Somatic Movement, you are working directly with the sensory-motor loop of your nervous system. You create new sensation and new movement patterns interrupting the patterns that cause muscle tension and pain.

Somatic Movements work differently than body therapy. Somatic Movement is movement education, not therapy or treatment. Sensation created while moving wakens your awareness of muscles, movement directions, and sometimes entire areas of your body that were previously "blank" or non existent to your awareness and control. It feels invigorating and refreshing to awaken sensation and control to these areas because the muscles soften their tonus, they relax in gravity and get longer and you regain control.

26/07/2023

Hey Carolina friends and family:
I wanted to share this weekend workshop opportunity with you all with Essential Somatics.

Check out the 2-day Foundational Fundamentals Course in Winston Salem October 14 & 15!

When I took this course, it changed how I move, what I thought aging meant in terms of my mobility and how I feel every day, and gave me simple tools to relieve chronic tension. I’m talking about the kind of tension that accumulates from living your daily life! You don’t tend to notice it (unless you have pain) because it’s kind of like the frog in the boiling water.

I HIGHLY recommend this workshop as an investment in improving your movements, coordination, balance, AND even giving you better sleep and a lighter mood.

10/04/2023

Just thinking about how yoga is a somatic practice, but over time if you are not aware and paying attention to how your body is moving in your yoga practice, just like any other movement or sport, you can cause pain and discomfort in your body through repetitive movements in yoga.

Clinical Somatic Education has completely changed how I do yoga and how I use yoga to feel more relaxed and supple.

I love this post by Emerge Somatics with Gena Rho discussing this idea!

https://www.emergesomatics.com/post/yoga-is-somatic

Yoga is a somatic modality, as such, it is a powerful practice in facilitating change and awakening. In his book, The Heart of Yoga, T.K.V. Desikachar distills the definition of yoga this way There are many definitions and they all have one thing in common: the idea that something changes. This chan...

13/02/2023

Client Review:
🌙
“Working with Lisa has been a wonderful experience. She tailored a somatic program to my needs and helped me regain the connection between brain, muscle, tension and pain.

Lisa guided me through new movements, could feel muscles tensing that I was not aware of and brought this awareness to each movement. By touch and sight, she could see where I struggled, how each movement became refined and helped me connect brain to muscle."
🌙
-Sue A.,

19/01/2023

Pandiculating during my pregnancy has been a game changer for me.
As I enter my third trimester, my ribs have expanded and flared out to accommodate baby.
My ribcage right now is HUGE!
I feel out of breath more easily, and my diaphragm has less space to move. 🫁
My side bend movements feel so luxurious! By contracting into my side ribs, then slowly lengthening out of that, I regularly create space in my ribs.
This helps me breathe, sit, walk, & rotate with spacious efficiency.
I’m feeling good so far throughout this adventure (sans some heartburn) and I’m so excited to meet my baby!
FYI Reno folks: I can teach YOU to pandiculate (whether you’re pregnant or not) on Tuesday’s at 430pm at Sierra Sunrise Wellness Group.

04/01/2023

When 2 become 3. Baby Cutshaw is arriving THIS April!!!
We are so excited to meet our little one.

09/12/2022

Hanna Somatic Education / Clinical Somatic Education can significantly reduce chronic spinal pain. A recent study published in Pub Med looks at the efficacy of this method in addressing low back and neck pain.

For all the people out there waiting for some research before trying something new, here it is! Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Clinical sessions of HSE were found to significantly reduce chronic spinal pain. Further investigations are recommended regarding evidence-based treatment of HSE in patients with muscles pain.

22/11/2022

There's still room to register for the Essentail Somatics Fundamentals Weekend Dec 3-4! -

Are you ready to feel better? When was the last time you stopped, and truly tapped into your body in a comfortable and safe way? We know from decades of research that it is true; the body really does keep the score. Stress takes a toll on your muscles, how you move, and where you feel tension.  Th...

14/11/2022

I’m partnering with to begin an IN PERSON somatic yoga class starting Tuesday, Dec. 6.
Are you curious how somatic movements can help your yoga practice feel more easeful and efficient?
Do you want to learn how to release tension from your muscles through neuromuscular re-education?
My daily Somatics practice keeps me connected to myself in a critical way. I can literally feel when my sitting position as I work on my computer or my standing position as I chop vegetables is creating tension. I SENSE the muscles causing that tension , and slowly melt that extra effort, creating space in my body.
I can teach YOU the superpower of sensing and releasing tension for yourself.
Check out this gentle, inward-focused class if you want to feel more comfortable and at ease in your body!
To register, go to Sierra Sunrise Wellness Group and sign up! Your first week of classes in this beautiful space is FREE.

24/10/2022

Essential Somatics Fundamentals Course in Reno December 2022! - https://mailchi.mp/e715a4b4b6d8/es-fundamentals-course-in-reno

Moving with mastery and joy is your birthright. Learn how to release chronic muscle tension through this foundational 2-day in-person workshop.

CSE is the only scientifically-based sensory motor training that teaches you how and why muscle tension develops and what you can do about it. CSE teaches you life-long skills that improve your ability to self-sense, self-monitor, and self-correct. You will be empowered to take care of yourself inst...

15/09/2022

“As we grow older, our bodies–and our lives–should continue to improve, right up until the very end.”
-Thomas Hanna, founder of Clinical Somatic Education

Harvard Biologist Daniel Lieberman is confirming what Dr. Hanna knew decades ago.

"Age, [Lieberman] insists, doesn't naturally lead to frailty."

So many older people have given up on exercise and movement because they believe loss of strength is inevitable. That simply is not true. Lieberman takes a look at hunter gatherers to prove that as you age, you can continue to maintain and build muscle, staying fit.
Consider enrolling in the Fundamentals course I am assisting with Dec. 3-4, 2022 to bust that myth of aging mentality and keep improving your movement no matter what age you are!

Believing this myth can drastically impact how many healthy and productive years you get to run your business.

15/09/2022

Join and I for the Reno Fundamentals Workshop Dec. 3-4, 2022! 10% discount through September 16th - you don't want to miss this!
Learn how to recognize when you are stressed (what muscles tense up, depending on your stressor), what to do about it, and learn how to move with ease and joy.
This workshop is perfect for every body -- regardless of age, physical fitness, or medical history. Learn how to get to the root of your chronic muscle tension, and release what is causing you pain.
This workshop is for you if:

-You feel muscle pain (back pain, knee pain, neck pain, etc).

-You want to improve your posture for the long-term

-You want to feel more connected to and in control of your body

-You want to improve your athletic performance

-You want to age gracefully and skillfully
Please share with friends and family and I am happy to answer any questions.

30/05/2022

I’m excited to offer a somatic movement workshop focusing on the hips and teaching key somatic movements to restore fluid, comfortable movement.
Clinical somatic education is suitable for every body regardless of age or fitness level and does NOT involve stretching or strengthening,
This workshop will cover key somatic movements for you to practice restoring voluntary sensation and control of your muscles.
When practiced regularly, these somatic movements reduce muscle tension and pain and result in renewed muscle control, awareness, and ease of movement.
How good could you feel? Find out by checking out my workshop!

12/05/2022

I’m super excited to offer another Somatic Movement Class Series on zoom!!
Lately I’ve been going to a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) class.
I want to feel strong 💪 and capable…. AND FEEL LOOSE AND RELAXED.
My Clinical Somatics practice has been instrumental in changing how I unwind after HIIT.
Do you like to push yourself, and work hard? If your answer is yes, then Clinical Somatics is the perfect practice for you, to train your muscles to soften and relax after pushing yourself hard.
Improving your movement habits is the key 🔑 to moving with mastery and ease as you age.
4 week class focus:
Week 1 - Exploring the front & back of the body - the “core” - can you voluntarily relax these large muscles, or are you braced?
Week 2 - All about the back - learn self care tools for your spine
Week 3 - Side bending and rotation, focusing on the ribcage
Week 4 - Freeing the hip joints
To sign up, email me with the names and email addresses of all participants and you will receive information about how to pay and a zoom invite.
🧠💪