With Namchi Bazar
I enjoy combining Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR) and Somatic Movement, in the
tradition of Thomas Hanna, because they both enhance sensory awareness, inner
connection, and feedback. Together, they support the identification of
musculoskeletal landmarks, improve your ability to track pathways in the body,
and clarify the movement patterns that shape function and structure.
Yamuna balls offer direct tactile feedback that strengthens the body-brain
connection. This provides valuable sensory input and experiential anatomy,
empowering a deeper understanding of your own physical makeup.
Somatic Movement guides you through precise sequences that recreate innate
stress reflexes found in all vertebrates. The benefit of this process is the ability to
recognize where habitual tension is held—so you can begin to unlearn and de-
create unconscious holding patterns that are no longer helpful. This re-establishes
efficient neural pathways and retrains muscles to let go of deeply held
contractions. These involuntary tensions are often at the root of chronic pain,
postural imbalances, and movement limitations.
Both practices are grounded in education and self-awareness, offering tools to
build body literacy, functional movement, and empowered embodiment. When
practiced together, YBR and Somatics foster greater ease, increased mobility, and
a deeper sense of well-being.
The complementary benefits of Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR) and Somatics help
balance the back and front of the body by addressing muscular tension, movement
patterns, and aid function.
Here’s how they work together:
1. Releasing Tension & Improving Mobility
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- YBR uses body weight and specially designed balls to release tight fascia and muscle restrictions, promoting better bone quality and improving mobility.
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- Somatics retrains the nervous system to release habitual muscle tension (Sensory Motor Amnesia), restoring natural movement.
2. Balancing Muscle Tone
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- YBR encourages tight muscles to lengthen and decompresses joints, reducing strain.
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- Somatics improves muscle control by re-educating movement patterns for balanced engagement.
3. Enhancing Body Awareness
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- YBR provides deep muscular release, helping you sense imbalances and create space.
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- Somatics actively retrains the ability to self-sense and improve movement to restore ease.
4. Reinforcing the Back-Front Relationship
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- YBR works on tissue and alignment, promoting synergy between front and back body muscles.
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- Somatics brings conscious awareness to movement patterns, eliminating compensations and restoring natural coordination.
Rolling the muscles of the back and front creates length, space, and balance, allowing postural muscles to support us more effectively—rather than control us.
By integrating these modalities, we cultivate a more empowered and embodied movement experience, restoring balance and calm alertness.
This brief video offers a glimpse into the rolling and Somatic movement sequences that help balance the front and back of the body.
During the Unwind retreat, we will explore the back, front, and sides of the body—addressing the muscles and movement patterns unique to each. You will leave with a deeper understanding of your anatomy and reflex patterns, expanding your personal toolkit for self-care and self-regulation on your journey of self-healing.
~ Namchi Bazar
