You should become a connoisseur of your own mistakes,
turning them over in your mind as if they were works of art,
which, in a way, they are.
— Daniel Dennett
I remember it quite clearly. After I apologized to the Uber driver for being spaced out and explained that I had just had a hands-on session, she asked, “Oh, is that like somatics?”
Two weeks later, after I had described the Feldenkrais method to a new student, he asked, “Is it a form of somatics?”
That was before the sudden wave of encounters with the term ‘somatics’ in conversations, TV shows, films, and all over the Internet. The most surprising were the ads promoting standard workouts and yoga practices as somatic exercises.
I was bewildered.
When did somatics become a thing? Had I missed the email?
This cultural shift resonates with me because of something that happened quite a while ago—not days, but years, more likely decades.
For reasons related to grammar and the details of service mark law, the Feldenkrais Guild of North America informed the membership that we should officially refer to our work as the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education.
Back then, I thought it was a terrible mistake. It didn’t make sense to define one unknown idea—Feldenkrais—using another. Plus, back then, the only way someone might know the word somatic was as part of the term psychosomatic, which, given its association with illness, didn’t seem like such a good idea.
I grumbled and complained to no one in particular. I remember deciding I didn’t want anything to do with this foolishness. (To be clear, that was long before I joined ISMETA, the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association, some ten years ago.)
Who could have predicted that twenty-plus years into a new millennium, the word ‘somatic’ would, without any intentional campaign or effort, become popular?
Nowadays, people not only know what somatics is but also seem to think it makes sense and believe it’s important, perhaps even necessary, for mental and physical health. This shift is a welcome change in a society that ignored or discounted embodied experience for so long.
Or is it?
I remember how another obscure term, mindfulness, which I first encountered when studying Vipassana meditation in 1977, blew up ten years or so ago. All of a sudden, it was like mindfulness was everywhere. I remember quipping, only half kidding, that I had run across “mindfulness pants” for sale online.
Are we at risk of overusing the term ‘somatics,’ thereby diluting its significance? How do we navigate the possibilities and pitfalls of this turning point?
I found the photo at the top of today’s post on www.pexels.com; Sindre Fs took it. I tweaked the size and illumination.
Your thoughts?
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Responses:
Karin Horowitz -August 23, 2024
Your post makes me think of a later-entrant to this broader discussion, 'pandiculation'. I first encountered it maybe 10 years ago and was delighted by its novelty and, as a word, the way it tripped off the tongue. Now it seems to be frequently used, in the world of somatics at least. People/we like new words (sometimes AKA jargon) and like using them as it makes them feel part of the group in-the-know. The risk is, as you suggest, the meaning of the word is diluted and it's used as common currency in inappropriate or unclear contexts. My feeling is 'somatic' is used as common currency now and people broadly get what it means but often without the intended nuance - myself included. I don't think it's possible or at least easy to pull back from that now; once it's happened, it's happened. Maybe a way forward is to put in more words/plain English an intended meaning in a particular context if it's important to make sure the meaning of 'somatic' is clearly communicated, instead of using 'somatic' as shorthand and feeling confident people will all know what is intended.
patpatsiebert-com Siebert -August 23, 2024
As you know, I’ve been interested in developing my practice, Embodying Mindfulness, for the same amount of time, along with Russell Delman and others. When you are out in front, the only thing people can see is your ass. It’s great to have you and our friends running in a pack together. Side by side.
Larry Goldfarb -August 23, 2024
Hello Petra - Thank you for letting me know you love my posts! You haven't missed the email about the book of collected blogs. It wouldn't be my first book. That would be Articulating Changes, the digital version of which is available for free on the Mind in Motion Online website to anyone with an account. You can purchase the second one, <a href="https://shop.mindinmotion-online.com/products/back-into-action?variant=40932840079551" rel="nofollow ugc">Back into Action</a>, from the MIMO online shop. Gratefully for central California, Larry Just between us, it's also not what I'm working at the moment.
Lavinia Plonka -August 23, 2024
LMK when you get to Baskin Robbins and they have somatic ice cream! :-)
Larry Goldfarb -August 22, 2024
Now you got me thinking: How would somatic ice cream taste? Maybe we can have a contest with folks suggesting flavor combinations and add-ins? Would you be one of the judges? ;-)
petra-guyer -August 23, 2024
hi Larry just wanted to let you know: I love your posts! They are funny to read an at the same time intelligence and of great depth! I'm waiting for your first book something like "the collection". Or have I missed the email? ;-) Regards from Switzerland Petra
Larry Goldfarb -August 23, 2024
Love it, Pat! When you're out in front, folks only see your backside. And, <em>if you're going fast and kicking up a storm</em>, they'll be eating dust. The cultural shift of somatics isn't the result of any one person's action. I'm glad we're in this together.
Larry Goldfarb -August 23, 2024
Hello Karin - Thank you for thoughtful response to my musings. The negative aspect in-the-know of jargon -- creating FOMO to spurn sales -- cab cover upthe positive aspect: how it creates a professional language and is allows us to speak in depth about things that are difficult to otherwise express or delineate. You're right: once a word is common parlance, you can't undo it. Instead of responding to it not by saying "no" or "but," let's say, "yes, and . . . " I am thinking of how we can use it as an opening for deeper consideration. Please stay tuned!
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