The Sotai Method & Integrative Yoga

The Sotai Method & Integrative Yoga

The Sotai Method & Integrative Yoga

September 20, 2010

By Yanti Mangunatmodjo, RST, E-RYT Keizo Hashimoto, MD (1897-1993) developed The Sotai Method in the 1930’s to regain structural integrity caused by old injuries or over use that lead towards muscular hypertonicity and long holding tissue patterns. He devised this method to regain balance in the body by facilitating resisted (isometric actions) movements in the direction of ease. He studied Western medicine in Niigata, Japan. After many years of study and practice, Sotai Therapy and his work became well known in the 1980’s in Japan. The Sotai technique is composed of the contract- release method very similar to muscle energy method and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). Changes can be made in the reflex stretch receptors after sustained muscular contraction. The role of Sotai in addressing and facilitating the release of hypertonic muscles by means of contract-release contributes toward enhanced co-ordination by means of attaining muscular symmetry and neuromuscular re-education. The release of muscular tension increases qi-flow (energy flow within the meridians) and cranial sacral fluid flow (CSF within the spinal column). The goal of Structural integrity is to be consistent with optimal or improved alignment of the body accompanied with optimal or improved co-ordination. After I was introduced to Sotai in 1993 whilst undergoing the tail end of the shiatsu program in Ontario, I immediately received positive results with my clients in terms of non-invasively dispersing jitsu areas in the body, increasing mobility, and flexibility. Applying passive stretching after sotai made it further efficacious. As I became familiar with Somatics by diligently practicing Feldenkrais and personally processing sensory-motor awareness, I developed a dialogue to guide and encourage the process of SMA with my clients/students. One would not find such terminologies such as Somatics, SMA, communication-manipulation, neurophysiologic mechanisms in the Sotai books by Hashimoto. However; the translations of his books expounds that structural integrity also relies on the importance of being aware of how one moves and increasing the level of sensitivity along with movement. Indeed the terminologies I used to describe essential elements of the Sotai system and the process that takes place are congruent to what Hashimoto advocates. This is what I believe that unifies the Sotai system as a whole.

The 5 principles that make Sotai distinguishable from many other isometric actions and release techniques are:
The technique is part of a whole system that is essentially composed of body reading, mobility examination,
communcicative-manipulation and re-evaluation. Sensory-motor awareness is initiated from facilitating communicative-manipulation during all aspects of the Sotai
system. 3. The Sotai technique is initiated at the feet to support the body’s relation to gravity. 4. The Sotai technique is facilitated in the direction of ease and the movement is likened to the speed of Tai chi. The Sotai method is an indirect approach in affecting parts of the body. (i.e.: facilitating techniques at the feet to release muscular tension in the lower spine) The Somatic (sensory-motor awareness) link to Sotai contributes toward neuromuscular re-education and thereby structural integrity. The therapist initially differentiates and communicates to the receiver the movements with ease and lack of ease. Sotai is facilitated in the direction of ease. Evaluation and improved range of motions are acknowledged with communicative-manipulation to initiate sensory-motor awareness. “And this includes sensitivity to comfort and ease as well as discomfort and pain.” Hashimoto, 1983, foreword. Simultaneously, the receiver acknowledges this as sensory-motor awareness. This new sensory awareness elicits neuromuscular re-education by altering the neurophysiologic mechanism loop that was established sometime after an injury or change in biomechanics. All of which contributes towards movement with ease in an integrated way. Further more, it is important to note that this component of Somatics applied to Sotai does not stand-alone. Initially a complete change in neurophysiologic feedback mechanism involves a process of awareness with movement such as, Feldenkrais, Hanna Somatics and/or The Alexander Technique. The communication-manipulation component of Sotai provides a conduit to sensory-motor awareness development as well as re-iteration of the SMA. The intention is informative as opposed to a means to a result. Whatever the impact this component of Somatics applied to Sotai; I firmly believe is a significant one. To not mention the efficacy due from the process of awareness with movement involving other forms of Somatics would make this theoretically false.
Sotai Therapy is a systemic method of introducing movements from the extremities to regain functional balance and integration. When the body is overwhelmed with the resistance more muscles come into play and thereby become a synchronized movement. This also applies to distortions. Other parts become affected due to a compensational response. Conversely, to correct distortions, the manipulations of distal parts can have positive results with its compensational counterparts. It is a basic fundamental way of understanding the physical body and it’s relation to gravity. Facilitating movements from the base to align with the law of gravity. When there is misalignment in the physical body disorganization within the myofascial system will follow. And thus a domino effect comes into play, the skeletal system, neuromuscular feedback mechanisms; functions of the internal organs, energy flow, and the cranial sacral rhythms get affected. Dr. Hashimoto and Dr. Ida Rolf (who developed Rolfing and Structural Integration) both use the same analogy using the structure of a house in relation to gravity. The fundamentals of architecture is building a strong foundation based on the structures’ relation to the gravitational field. If a natural phenomenon affects the dimensions of one side it will disorganize the gravitational impact on the house. Another example being if for some reason in the course of time there is increased space under a door. Instead of replacing the door the solution is to make the house level to align with the gravitational field. This basic law of physics also applies to the physical body. A quote from Dr. Ida Rolf; “What we can do is to change the way the parts of the body fit together into a whole which can transmit the gravitational field through that body in such a way that it enhances its energy field. You can change the body by virtue of the fact that it is segmented, and when you have changed it appropriately, gravity can flow through.” Rolf, 1978,Rolfing and Physical Reality, P.36 Hatha Yoga is based on a similar premise. A strong foundation will give you freedom in the poses. The foundation starts at the feet. Initiating a standing pose by curling the toes with the toes spread apart will activate the muscles of the feet and encourage a natural arch. This tonifies the spleen energy. Grounding yourself into the earth by pressing into the four corners of your feet will keep you balanced. Standing with feet parallel, isometrically drawing your feet together without moving them will give you stability in the sacral iliac joint and support a natural curve in the lumbar spine. This simple action tonifies the kidneys. In comparison to a house, working from the ground up, the segmental parts of the body can effectively be aligned for optimal performance and strength in relation to the gravitational field. Ultimately, as the body effectively falls in the line of gravity, the qi will flow in the appropriate channels of congruency towards the earth with less obstruction. One of the essential keys to vitality. Beauty resides in the integration of appropriate modalities to reach the easiest path of efficacy. At best, therapeutic benefits of self-healing and repair can be achieved when the least invasive therapy or modality is chosen. In the case of Sotai, optimal mobility and co-ordination can be reached by moving in the direction of ease. As such, Sotai helps reduce the adaptive load due to distortions in alignment or helps the individual to better handle the stress placed on compensated structures of the body. I choose to share the applications of the Sotai system because of the gentleness approach (for both therapist and patient), the effectiveness, its’ great contribution to self-healing, muscular balance, sensory-motor awareness, enhanced co-ordination, mobility, qi- flow and, craniosacral fluid- flow. This system can easily compliment and be integrated in most manual therapies, sports and yoga programs. In addition; self-sotai can also be introduced and adapted to your stretching and self-healing program for yourself and your clients. As a congruent adjunct to Sotai, I will be offering an Integrative Yoga Program along side the Sotai course. It consists of, movement with awareness, isometric actions, self-sotai, yoga asanas designed to enhance the direction of qi in the meridians and yoga principles that will build a strong foundation in relation to gravity. Overall the IYP will enhance sensory-motor awareness, optimal mobility and vitality. The therapist can directly experience how isometric actions can create stability, thereby offer freedom in the poses and free-course of qi. Direct experience of establishing sensory-motor awareness and surrendering the weight of you body into the earth will encourage self-healing by means of “un-winding” (release). The integrated yoga program included in the Sotai training will also further enhance the students’ understanding of how Sotai and Somatics can positively influence structural integrity while providing a foundational movement program that supports the biomechanics of their work.
References Hashimoto, Keizo and Kawakami, Yoshiaki, Sotai: Balance and Health Through Natural Movement, Japan Publications, Inc.,
1983. 2. Rywerant, Yochanan, The feldenkrais Method: Teaching by handling, Harper & Row, 1983. 3. Shafarman, Steven, Awareness Heals: The feldenkrais Method for Dynamic Health, Harper Collins Publishers, 1997. 4. Hanna, Thomas, Somatics: Re-awakening the Mind’s Control of Movement, Flexibility, and Health, Perseus Books Group, 1988. 5. Rolf, Ida, Rolfing and Physical Reality, Healing Arts Press, 1978, Edited by Feitis, Rosemary, 1990. 6. McAtee, Robert E, Facilitated Stretching: PNF stretching made easy, Human Kinetics, 1993. Yanti Mangunatmodjo is a Registered Shiatsu Therapist, Craniosacral Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher. She graduated from a 2200-hour shiatsu program at The Shiatsu School of Canada in 1994. Yanti was introduced to the Sotai method in 1993 and has continued to integrate this modality with Shiatsu Therapy and private yoga sessions.
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