Positive feedback I offered two pilot programs, one in the summer of 2020, and another in the winter of 2021. Each of them followed the same curriculum and had a dura- tion of six weeks. I was very surprised by the number of seniors desiring to register for the program. I had an aver- age of 36 participants in each of the 12 classes. I invited participants to share their opinions at the end of each pro- gram. Here is one of their testimonials: “This is my first experience in somatic movement… It is educational in understanding the anatomy and spi- nal structure and the engagement of the body and mind as I move through the motion. It is also relaxing.” For me, it was very rewarding to share this information with peo- ple who have never been exposed to somatics and who were interested in
to share the BMC-based curriculum that I had developed. So, I decided to launch the Somatic Movement for Spine Mobility and Posture online pilot program, with the support of On Lok 30th Street Senior Center. Multiple components of BMC prac- tice could impact spinal mobility such as developmental patterns. For example, one of these patterns is the spinal yield-push and spinal reach initiated from the head and from the coccyx. The visualization, embodi- ment, and practice of the spinal pat- tern, creates a sensation of elongation and strength in the spine. Moreover, BMC brings attention to the verte- bras of the spine as well as other tis- sues in proximity with the bones, such as organs, vertebral discs, lig- aments, and the spinal cord. Meta- phorical and anatomical images, and awareness of different types of tis- sues, could facilitate mobility of the
aspects of teaching somatics online. First, it creates a private environ- ment for participants to follow their somatic explorations. By allowing them to be more focused on internal motivation rather than external moti- vations, you discourage competing or comparing their abilities with others. Internal motivation is more beneficial to experience somatics, and the online format might provide support for it. Second, the online format allowed me to share my screen and show tri- dimensional anatomy images using the Essential Anatomy app, as well as the spine model. These support materials were one of the features that participants liked most about the class. Third, the online format might allow frail or house-bound older peo- ple to participate in somatics. This population is more likely to be inter- ested in somatics than in more vigor- ous exercise classes. At this time, I am offering a 10-week online program at the 30th Street Senior Center. I am delighted to see the participants’ engagement with the material and their willingness to follow somatic explorations, reflect, and share their experience. My grav- itation towards seniors, rooted in my grandmother raising me, inspires me to create more opportunities for seniors to practice somatics. I hope to obtain more funding and motivate other somatic educators and dancers to lead older people in transforma- tive experiences and healing processes through movement. DIANA LARA is a professional dancer and a regis- tered somatic movement educator. She graduat- ed from the choreography program of the Center for Research and Choreography at the Mexican National Institute of Fine Arts and from the So- matic Research and Participatory Arts program at Moving-on-Center in Oakland. In 2011, she gradu- ated from the Body-Mind Centering® certification program on Developmental Movement. Diana has taught dance and somatic classes for 25 years in North and Central America, to older adults, professional dancers, and women recovering from domestic violence and trauma. Currently, Diana teaches at On Lok 30th Street Senior Center.
learning more about how to be aware of their posture and movement. Partic- ipants wanted to talk about their expe- riences with somatics and their self-dis- coveries through explorations. Giving them the space and time to reflect on it was necessary and important. Benefits of moving online And guess what…despite my reser- vations I discovered some positive
spine in the three planes of motion. BMC exercises conducted slowly and with attention to sensory informa- tion could provide the necessary body awareness to repattern maladaptive movements that lead to spine rigidity, pain, and reinforce bad posture. More- over, slow movement could improve the activation of Type I fiber muscles, or “slow twitch” muscles, that are associated with maintaining posture.
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SUMMER 2022 in dance 45
In Dance | May 2014 | dancersgroup.org
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