SOMATIC BODYWORK is a modern approach to well-being that uses touch, movement, awareness of breath, relaxation techniques and full body holding to help create a safe container for the receiver to relax more deeply and to stimulate the natural regenerative powers of the body allowing symptoms of disease to possibly lessen and vitality to grow. 

In the spirit of the Zen Shiatsu pioneer, Shizuto Masunaga, who has inspired SOMATIC BODYWORK, the practitioner is dedicated to “BEING WITH a person rather than doing something to a person”. All of the techniques and forms applied in a session arise from a place of the practitioner listening and responding to what is happening in the body and breath of the receiver. In essence, SOMATIC BODYWORKERS listen with their hands and hearts and respond from a place of openness and good practice.

A dedicated SOMATIC BODYWORK session is generally from 60 - 90 minutes in length. Both practitioner and receiver wear loose, comfortable clothing and the practice is given on a large futon or soft floor space with cushions and a blanket. The receiver may feel grounding contact, full body stretches and joint mobility, acupressure point activation, myo-fasical unwinding and release, energy body balancing, holding of the cranium to listen to the fluid aspects of the body and other simple massage methods.

Many yoga teachers, physiotherapists, psychotherapists and people in movement, healing, artistic and educational professions are finding ways to utilize the SOMATIC BODYWORK approach within their own modalities in unique and creative ways.

SOMATIC BODYWORK has been developed by ATEEKA from her 20+ years of experience in the movement and healing arts. This approach has been influenced from various healing and movement modalities such as Zen Shiatsu, Biodynamic Craniosacral, Tantsu (Tantric Shiatsu), Watsu, Thai Massage, Myofascial Release & Unwinding, Continuum Movement, Contact Improv, Somatic studies, Yoga and mindfulness meditation.