Awakening Somatic Intelligence

Awakening Somatic Intelligence: The Art and Practice of Embodied Mindfulness offers a guide to Somatic Learning, an innovative body-oriented approach that incorporates mindfulness, visualization, breathing exercises, postures, and stretches. Developed by author, psychotherapist, and award-winning songwriter and poet Risa Kaparo, PhD, Somatic Learning is based on leading-edge research demonstrating the power of the mind to activate physiological, mental, and emotional healing. Kaparo has successfully used her approach with patients suffering from chronic pain, high blood pressure, and mood disorders including depression and anxiety. Recounting her own struggle with chronic pain, Kaparo begins with a moving description of her journey from crippling pain to renewed health and aliveness. Kaparo introduces the concepts and characteristics of Somatic Learning, a method that grew out of her personal healing experience. Incorporating the latest brain research in mindfulness and neuroplasticity, the book presents breathing exercises; postures and stretches for morning and bedtime; instructions for integrating mindfulness practice into one's daily life; and ways of deepening the practice through touch and caring interaction with others. Enhanced with over 100 detailed instructional photos and illustrations, the book includes inspiring case stories and the author's own expressive poetry that illuminate the healing power of this practice. "Dr. Kaparo is like the captain of a ship taking us on a journey to lands that were once known but the maps were lost. She opens the doors to the magical land of learning about our inner somatic wisdom, and with it, we joyfully discover ways to change our relationship to the fearful prescriptions of aging and pain."--David Surrenda, PhD, founder of John F. Kennedy University's graduate school of Holistic Studies and CEO of the Kripalu Institute for Extraordinary Living Contents: Part One: Somatic Intelligence Is Your Birthright; Chapter 1: A Whole New Poetry Beginning Here; Chapter 2: Somatic Learning; Chapter 3: Restoring the Natural Wisdom of Embodied Mindfulness; Chapter 4: The Embrace; Chapter 5: The Invitation; Part Two: Reorganizing Your Structure/Reorganizing Your Life; Chapter 6: Gravity Surfing on the Waves of Your Breath; Chapter 7: Bedtime Practices; Chapter 8: Morning Practice; Part Three: Anytime, Anywhere Practices; Chapter 9: Standing; Chapter 10: Walking; Chapter 11: Sitting; Chapter 12: Changing Planes/Changing Paradigms; Part Four: Deepening Your Practice; Chapter 13: Deepening the Dialogue Ebook (ISBN 978-1-58394-506-3) will also be on sale on 5/29/2012.