Movement Modalities
What Is Pilates?
Pilates is named after Joseph Pilates, a physical trainer who immigrated from Germany to the US in the early 20th century. Through his own experience of childhood illness and his work with severely injured WW1 soldiers, Pilates became a pioneer in therapeutic exercise which he developed to help people live healthier lives.
His holistic approach to well-being was unique in western culture at the time. He believed the cause of most health issues was brought about by the effects of modern life, which adversely affected posture, breathing, strength, and mobility. Pilates places its principles on breath and moving from the center (core), similar to Somatics.
Pilates places its principles on breath, mental focus, and movement from the center (core). The exercises are performed slowly, with precision, and few repetitions, focusing on quality versus quantity.
Pilates
Virtual and In-Studio Sessions.
All group classes are currently virtual due to COVID.
What Is Somatics?
Somatics, technically, Clinical Somatics, also referred to as Clinical Somatic Education, was developed in the tradition of M.F. Alexander, Moshe Feldenkrais, and Thomas Hanna, who were early pioneers in the movement of educating self-awareness and “reawakening the mind’s control of movement, flexibility, and health” (T.Hanna).
Thomas Hanna, a student of Moshe Feldenkrais, was a PhD in philosophy and director of the Humanistic Psychology Institute. While chairman of the philosophy department at the University of Florida, Hanna continued to build upon his somatic education, studying neurology at the medical school.
It was Hanna's scientific application of neurology to Clinical Somatic Education that set him apart in the field of somatic education. He establishing a somatic technique founded on scientific principles of neuroplasticity. Vivian’s somatic training and certification are in the tradition of Thomas Hanna’s work.
Clinical Somatics is a form of neuromuscular therapy which utilizes the brain and nervous system to teach the body how to release chronically tight muscle imbalances which are the main causes of pain and movement restrictions.
Somatics
Virtual and In-Studio Sessions.
All group classes are currently virtual due to COVID.