Massage therapy is just one form of bodywork that is used to address muscular issues. Many people train to become a massage therapist, but becoming a bodyworker takes time and maturation. While a practitioner of bodywork also works on the deep muscles and can perform sports massage, or another massage technique for that matter, they incorporate and have experience in  several forms of bodywork.

A bodyworker will observe the client through posture and take them through a postural analysis. As the client walks and stands, the therapist will watch their gait. They will notice the balance in the hip and shoulder girdles. They will also take notice of the neck and head placement in relation to the spine. 

It is not to say that a massage therapist does not look at posture. A bodyworker has trained their eye to see catches, hitches, pulls and snags that have manifested in the client's body just by watching them.

  A bodywork session will be begin with a somascan , either walking, sitting or lying. 

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 Somatics is  a form of self-study and goes hand in hand with a bodywork.  At ENERGYBODi all our practices are based in Somatics. 

 (Yoga, Meditation, Dance, Pilates & meditation can all be a somatic practice but not a given.)   

Soma is a word of ancient Greek origin and means “body”. In the contemporary field of bodywork,  Somatics is the body as perceived from within, your internal experience of your body;  the body & mind as one, an inseparable entity. 

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Somatics emphasizes the idea of learning from and through the body. The goal is for people to embody what they long to be, to be who they are more wholly, to heal that split caused by life stressful, traumatic events. It’s about transforming to be more alive and act more aligned with one’s values and purpose.

The session will proceed either fully clothed or as with a traditional massage, with oils directly on the skin.  The bodyworker will listen and respond to the needs of your body.

Yielding is a quality that brings us into contact with the environment so we can release weight to gravity. Yielding is an active, as opposed to a passive surrender. When we yield we are in a somatic process. 

 The Body worker may take the client through a range of movement eg.  Thai Massage or  through a series of movements  

e.g.  Physio/Pilates exercises,  Hanna Somatics, Somatic Groundwork, Pandiculation,

PNF Stretching,  Yoga, Feldenkrais,

Embodied Yin/Yang Postures.

 Connection is vital for us to thrive in the world we live in.   Connection is a sense of belonging in our surroundings and feeling open to other people. 

Touch plays a major part in connection. Many of us are touch deficient. Why does touch matter? 

Touch is as vital as eating a well balanced diet. Touch has been shown to shift and lift mood, boost immune system, and is vital for our self of wellbeing and happiness. 

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Touch releases  Oxytocin which has been nicknamed the 'happy' hormone.  Regular touch, alongside clear boundaries allows us to feel safe,  builds trust, connection and is fundamental to our health. 

Bodywork as also a term used  for the outer shell of a car, where we repair and fix the parts.

However, Humans are not parts to be fixed' and certainly not to be compared to any kind of machine or computer. The heart is not like a simple pump, nor the brain like a computer,  We are so much more than that, both in terms of complexity physiology and integration of emotions, mental concepts and imaginings. 

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Beyond that, there is an essence in us, whatever you call that.  

We are greater than the sum of our 'parts'.

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We  relate to, communicate with others with a  felt sense intelligence. This felt sense intelligence is honed and fine tuned  like any accomplished artist would.

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A Bodyworker is an artist who explores with you your unique somatic and soul experience.