Often in life we live in our head – planning, preparation, organising, getting to places, studying, working – and our body just becomes the vessel that gets us from A to B or that reaches for or carries what we need, or becomes maligned as we wish it was a different shape and if it hurts we get annoyed with it because it’s stopping us doing something. Rarely in our busy lives do we take the time to stop and reconnect so we can listen to our body and the messages that it brings.
Somato Respiratory Integration (SRI) is a series of 12 exercises, based on Donald Epstein DC’s book entitled “The 12 Stages of Healing”, designed to increase body awareness and offer new options in your experience of your body as the brain reconnects and makes new connections with the body. It works alongside Network Spinal Analysis (NSA), or can stand alone – so you do not need to be receiving care to come along to SRI classes.
SRI allows the mind to focus within the body, on it’s movements big and small, on the breath and on areas of tension. This connection is enhanced with verbal cues that allow the conscious brain to hear what the body is feeling and experiencing. As these connections come together and take effect, the body is able to experience more flexibility, less tension and a feeling of safety and ease within it.
Who may benefit from SRI?
As mentioned, SRI is not a chiropractic technique and therefore, you do not have to be receiving chiropractic (NSA or otherwise) care to benefit. For those who are also receiving NSA care, certain stages of SRI will help you to deepen your understanding of where you are at and may, in some instances, help you to move to the next level.
Virtually anyone who is suffering – whether it be physical pain or (for example) illness, loss of a job or loved one, relationship breakdown, divorce, depression, feeling stuck or helplessness can benefit from basic SRI as stages 1-3 help you to “Discover” yourself and these areas.
In Stages 4-7 you are ready to make the change, to “Transform”, make the breakthrough you’ve been working towards, or are already in the process of making, for significant changes in your life.
The last 5 Stages (8-12) “Awaken” us to a greater depth of overall well being and community.
If you are interested in coming along to an SRI class or interested in finding out more, please get in touch by email clinic@aliveforlife.co.uk and we will let you know when the next class is being held. Classes are small and cover some of the background behind each stage as well as learning how to do the exercises. We would advise all to start with Stages 1-3.