For too long, massage therapy has been viewed through a "biomedical-mechanical" lens—treating the body as a machine to be fixed by an outside force. As somatic educators, we know that true, lasting change only occurs when the client’s internal awareness is engaged.
Gabriel Posner, author of the new book Somatic Techniques for Massage Therapists*, believes that by changing perspective/intention and modifying some techniques, massage therapy can embrace the somatic viewpoint. In this learning community event, Gabriel will discuss how to bring the world of touch therapy and Hanna Somatics together. He’ll explore how this work transitions the touch practitioner from a "fixer" to a "facilitator," and how manual therapists can move beyond temporary relief to address the root of chronic tension.
Gabriel’s presentation will cover
The "Fixer" vs. "Facilitator" Paradigm: Why traditional massage often fails chronic pain clients and how a somatic approach changes the clinical outcome.
Decoding Sensory Motor Amnesia on the Table: Identifying how SMA shows up in a massage and how to use manual contact as a sensory-first tool to reverse it.
Moving from a Massage Therapist to a Somatic Practitioner: How can a massage therapist, bodyworker, or other touch practitioner modify what they are already doing to awaken a sensorimotor change and what Hanna Somatic techniques are appropriate for them to bring into their sessions?
The Self-Care Synergy: Gil Hedley, proponent of a whole-body, whole-person approach to anatomy, coined the term Somanaut. Picking up from Gil’s work, Gabriel presents key components of becoming a successful guide through the inner world of self-discovery and transformation that manifests when we work with our and others’ bodies. He will discuss practices to bring a therapist “through the looking glass” and preserve the therapist’s longevity.
Why Attend?
This isn’t just a book presentation; it’s a strategy session. Whether you are looking to refine your own clinical touch or seeking better ways to teach somatic principles to manual practitioners, this presentation provides the vocabulary and framework to make the "invisible" work of somatics visible and actionable on the massage table.
*Gabriel’s book is now available for purchase through all major book seller, and directly through the author’s website: elevatedsomatics.com/book/somatic-techniques-for-massage-therapists-book
This event is presented by the HSE Learning Community. It is open to all AHSE Members.