Somatics is a field within bodywork and movement studies which emphasizes internal physical perception and experience. The term is used in movement therapy ...SomaticsFromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopediaJumptonavigationJumptosearchFieldofbodyworkemphasizinginternalsensationThisarticleisaboutsensation-basedmovementpractices.Forthematter-boundbeingsinGnosticism,seehylics.Forotheruses,seeSomatic.SomaticeducatorMosheFeldenkraisin1978,teachinghowtorisefromachairSomaticsisafieldwithinbodyworkandmovementstudieswhichemphasizesinternalphysicalperceptionandexperience.Thetermisusedinmovementtherapytosignifyapproachesbasedonthesoma,or"thebodyasperceivedfromwithin,"[1][2]includingAlexandertechnique,theFeldenkraisMethod,andRolfingStructuralIntegration.[3]Indance,thetermreferstotechniquesbasedonthedancer'sinternalsensation,incontrastwith"performativetechniques,"suchasballetormoderndance,whichemphasizetheexternalobservationofmovementbyanaudience.[4][5]Somatictechniquesmaybeusedinbodywork,psychotherapy,dance,orspiritualpractices.Contents1History2Movementdisciplines2.1Traditionalpractices2.2Exercisepractices2.3Dance2.3.1Genres2.3.2Education3Alternativemedicine4Spiritualpractices5Seealso6References6.1Citations6.2Generalbibliography7ExternallinksHistory[edit]MaryWigman,whostudiedwithRudolfvonLaban,wasamongthechoreographerswhosebody-centricinnovationsinfluencedtheearlydevelopmentofsomatics.[6]AnearlyprecursorofthesomaticmovementinWesternculturewasthe19th-centuryphysicalculturemovement.Thismovementsoughttointegratemovementpractices,or"gymnastics,"relatedtomilitaryandathletictraining;medicaltreatment;anddance.[7]ManyphysicalculturepracticeswerebroughttotheUS.[8]OneparticularAmericaninnovator,GenevieveStebbins,developedherownphysicalculturesystem.[9]SomeofStebbins'smanyfollowersreturnedtoEurope;oneofthesetrainedElsaGindler,whoisrecognizedasoneoftheearliestsomaticinnovators.[10][11][12]Manyfurtherfoundationaldevelopmentsinsomaticshavebeentracedtotheturnofthetwentiethcentury.[6]Atthattime,thein