The Body of Life: Creating New Pathways for Sensory Awareness and Fluid Movement

by Thomas Hanna

Overview

In this classic book on bodywork education, Thomas Hanna builds on the theoories of Functional Integration, a method that applies gentle physical manipulation to fine-tune the nervous system and eliminate involuntary responses to tension, anxiety, and emotional pain. Through case histories, the author describes methods for improving bodily coordination, balance, and range of movement. With enhanced awareness, we gain a greater understanding of our internal states and our ability to affect them. He also surveys the pioneering work of Moshe Feldenkrais, who devised the system of Functional Integration, and many other somatic educators. Hanna’s engaging account offers a profound understanding of the precise relationship between mind and body that can be applied in our day-to-day living.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780892814817
Publisher:	Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Publication date:	05/01/1993
Edition description:	REPRINT
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Author of the groundbreaking book, Somatics: Reawakening the Mind’s Control of Movement, Flexibility, and Health, Thomas Hanna (1928-1990) was the director of the Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training in San Francisco and the founder and editor of Somatics: Magazine-Journal of the Bodily Arts and Sciences.

Table of Contents

The Body of Life:
Creating New Pathways for Sensory Awareness and Fluid Movement

Preface
Introduction: What is a Soma?
Part 1: The Four Dimensions of the Soma
1. Spatial Distortions of the Living Body
Somatic Retraction
Somatic Fixation
Somatic Lateralization
2. Temporal Distortion of the Living Body
Somatic Inefficiency
Part Two: Somatic Education
1. The Nature of Learning
2. The Somatic Education
The Gentle Pioneers
Intelligence, Sanity, and Movement
Integrating Neural Functions
Part Three: The Archesoma
Reading References

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This is a landmark book with principles useful for all approaches to somatic education."

Editorial Reviews

"This is a landmark book with principles useful for all approaches to somatic education."

Somatics

"This is a landmark book with principles useful for all approaches to somatic education."

From the Publisher