Somatix

What Is Somatix?

Gentle movement with real purpose

Somatix is no ordinary exercise class.

Somatix is a calm, structured movement-confidence programme created to help people move with greater ease, balance, awareness and confidence.

Somatix doesn’t simply focus on muscles and joints. It also considers how the body, brain and nervous system work together to influence movement, coordination, balance and confidence.

This is what makes Somatix different.

The programme combines gentle mobility, posture awareness, balance, proprioception, breathing, somatic movement, controlled strength, coordination, Tai Chi and Qigong-inspired movement with neuroscience-informed movement and gentle nerve sliding and gliding techniques — sometimes referred to as nerve flossing.

It is not about pushing harder, moving faster or trying to keep up with everybody else.

It is about reconnecting with your body through gentle, purposeful movement that has a reason behind it.

Every movement has a purpose.

Somatix in action — gentle, purposeful movement that can be adapted to different abilities and levels of confidence.

Has Movement Become More Difficult?

Many people gradually begin to notice changes such as:

feeling stiff after sitting
becoming less steady on their feet
losing confidence when walking or turning
finding stairs or everyday tasks more difficult
feeling tense through the neck, shoulders, back or hips
becoming nervous about returning to exercise
feeling that traditional exercise classes move too quickly
feeling restricted or guarded during certain movements
spending long periods sitting or being inactive
living with fatigue, reduced mobility or a long-term condition

These changes do not always happen suddenly.

They can build gradually until a person begins avoiding movements they once performed without thinking.

Somatix provides a calmer place to begin again.

What Makes Somatix Different?

Traditional exercise often focuses mainly on muscles, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness.

All of these are important.

But movement involves much more.

Your brain, nervous system, senses, balance systems, joints and muscles are constantly working together every time you stand, walk, reach, turn, bend or change direction.

Somatix brings greater attention to this relationship.

That is why classes may include neuroscience-informed movement, sensory-motor exercises, proprioception, coordination and gentle neurodynamic movement alongside more familiar mobility, balance and strengthening exercises.

Somatix is also not based on competition, speed or pressure.

There is:

no racing
no need to keep up
no expectation that everybody moves in exactly the same way
no embarrassment if you need a chair
no pressure to force a stretch
no encouragement to push through discomfort
no pressure to perform a movement that does not feel right for you

Chair-based, standing and supported options can be used.

Movements can be made smaller, slower or more supported when necessary.

We work with the body rather than against it.

Somatix is about understanding movement as well as doing it — helping people become more aware of their body and more confident in how they move.

The Body, Brain and Nervous System

Movement begins long before a muscle contracts.

Your nervous system is constantly receiving information about:

where your body is in space
where your joints are positioned
what you can see
what you can feel
your balance
your surroundings
how quickly you are moving
whether a movement feels safe and familiar

Your brain processes this information and helps coordinate the movement that follows.

Somatix uses gentle movement challenges to encourage greater body awareness, coordination and confidence.

These may include:

balance exercises
proprioceptive exercises
sensory-motor activities
eye and head coordination
cross-body movements
contralateral movement
controlled changes of position
breathing exercises
slow movement exploration
reaction and coordination work
gentle nerve sliders and glides

The aim is not to overload the nervous system.

The aim is to give it clear, manageable movement experiences.

Gentle Nerve Sliding and Gliding

One of the distinctive elements being incorporated into Somatix is gentle neurodynamic movement.

These exercises are commonly called:

nerve sliders

nerve glides

and sometimes nerve flossing.

Within Somatix, I prefer the terms sliding and gliding, because they better reflect the gentle approach used in class.

These movements are different from holding a strong stretch.

They usually involve carefully coordinating movement at two or more parts of the body so that neural tissues can move in relation to the structures surrounding them.

The emphasis is on movement — not aggressive stretching of a nerve.

Depending on the exercise, gentle sliders and glides may involve the:

neck
shoulders
arms
elbows
wrists
hands
spine
hips
legs
hamstrings
knees
ankles
feet

Movements are performed slowly and within a comfortable range.

If something does not feel right, the movement can be reduced, modified or stopped.

What Happens During a Somatix Class?

A Somatix class may contain a combination of:

gentle mobility for the neck, shoulders and spine
hip, knee and ankle mobility
posture and body-awareness exercises
balance work
proprioception
gentle nerve sliders and neurodynamic glides
neuroscience-informed movement exercises
sensory-motor exercises
eye and head coordination
cross-body and contralateral movement
controlled strength and stability exercises
breathing and nervous-system calming
slow somatic movement
reaction and coordination exercises
Tai Chi and Qigong-inspired movement
seated movement
chair-supported standing exercises

Different elements can be combined depending on the class and participants.

The objective is not to perform as many exercises as possible.

It is to move well, notice more and gradually build confidence.

It Is Not About Stretching Harder

One of the principles behind Somatix is simple:

More movement is not automatically better movement.

Neither is a bigger stretch automatically a better stretch.

Somatix does not encourage participants to force muscles, joints or nerves into uncomfortable positions simply to achieve a greater range.

This is particularly important with neurodynamic movement.

Gentle nerve sliding and gliding involves movement through a comfortable range rather than trying to aggressively stretch neural tissue.

Sometimes smaller and more controlled movement can be far more useful than forcing a larger one.

Balance, Proprioception and Body Awareness

Balance is not simply about standing on one leg.

Your brain constantly receives information from your eyes, inner ear, joints, muscles, skin and nervous system to help determine where your body is and how it should respond.

This awareness of body position is known as proprioception.

Somatix includes exercises designed to gently challenge:

balance
weight transfer
foot awareness
coordination
body position
movement direction
reaction
confidence when changing position

The goal is not to make an exercise unnecessarily difficult.

It is to gradually give the body and brain more movement experiences to work with.

Movement Without Pressure

Some people stop exercising because they feel conventional exercise is no longer designed for them.

They may wonder:

Will I be able to keep up?

What if everybody else is fitter than me?

What if my balance isn't very good?

What if I need to sit down?

What if I can't do a particular exercise?

Somatix removes much of that pressure.

You are encouraged to work at your level.

You can sit.

You can stand.

You can use a chair for support.

You can make the movement smaller.

And you can leave a movement out if it is not appropriate for you.

No racing.

No keeping up.

No pressure to perform.

Who Is Somatix For?

Somatix may suit adults who:

want to move with greater ease
feel stiff, tense or restricted
feel less steady than they once did
want to improve their balance
have lost confidence in exercise
are returning to movement after a break
prefer a calm and supportive class
feel uncomfortable in fast-paced exercise environments
need seated or chair-supported options
want to improve body awareness
spend long periods sitting
want to improve coordination
feel nervous about particular movements
live with fatigue or reduced mobility
want a different approach to exercise
want to understand their body and movement better

You do not need to be fit, flexible or experienced before attending.

You begin from where you are.

What May Somatix Support?

Somatix is designed to support:

mobility and flexibility
posture awareness
balance and stability
proprioception
coordination
controlled strength
body awareness
confidence on the feet
smoother movement
breathing and relaxation
confidence in everyday movement
gradual return to regular activity
greater confidence in what your body can do

It can also help participants develop a greater appreciation of how movement, sensation, balance, breathing, the brain and nervous system all interact.

Everyone responds differently and progress may happen gradually.

More Than an Exercise Class

Somatix is also about people.

It provides an opportunity to meet others, move, learn and participate without feeling judged or left behind.

Classes are welcoming and supportive and may particularly appeal to people who would not normally feel comfortable walking into a traditional gym or fitness class.

You can come as you are.

You do not have to prove anything.

You simply begin.

Somatix Classes in Offaly and Westmeath

Somatix classes are delivered in community venues across Offaly and Westmeath.

Current venues, days, times, prices and class updates are available on the Class Times page.

View Current Somatix Class Times and Venues

Meet Mark Lowry

Somatix was developed by Mark Lowry of Enjoy Smart Health.

Mark brings more than four decades of experience in fitness, movement, health and wellbeing.

His approach has evolved considerably over the years — from traditional exercise towards a broader understanding of mobility, balance, body awareness, coordination, confidence and how the brain and nervous system influence movement.

This continuing development has led to neuroscience-informed movement and gentle neurodynamic sliding and gliding techniques becoming an important part of the evolving Somatix programme.

Mark's aim is to help people feel more capable and confident in their movement — not by forcing the body, but by giving it appropriate movement, support, awareness and encouragement.

Is Somatix Medical Treatment?

Somatix is a movement and wellbeing programme.

It is not medical treatment, diagnosis or a replacement for physiotherapy, medical care or other professional healthcare.

The neuroscience-informed and neurodynamic exercises used within Somatix are taught as gentle movement and body-awareness exercises and are not presented as treatments for medical or neurological conditions.

Anyone experiencing a new injury, unexplained or worsening pain, persistent numbness or weakness, significant neurological symptoms, dizziness, or concerns about exercising should seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.

Enquire About Somatix

Would you like to find out if Somatix might suit you?

Or do you represent a community organisation, family resource centre, workplace, sports organisation, active-age group or wellbeing programme interested in bringing Somatix to your members, staff or community?

Contact:

Mark Lowry
Holistic Health Coach & Somatix Instructor
Enjoy Smart Health

Phone: 085 746 9412
Email: enjoysmarthealth360@gmail.com

Contact Mark About Somatix