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Classes & Workshops

Biography & Credits

‘Somatic Conditioning™’ is designed by Servaas Mes, founder of ‘Mobilizing Awareness™’ Somatic Movement Programs. Together with his wife Beverly Davies-Mes, they are the founding directors of The Somatic Health Center of St. Helena, California. Servaas is a Registered Physical Therapist (Canada, The Netherlands), a Hanna Somatic Educator®, a Pranassage™ Practitioner and a Pilates Mat Instructor.

Please visit www.somatichealthcenter.com for more information on other Somatic Movement Programs or Somatic Rehabilitation Programs organized by The Somatic Health Center of St. Helena.

"There have been many influences in my work that have stimulated me to put this fitness-exercise model called ‘Somatic Conditioning™’ together. First of all I would like to acknowledge all my clients, participants and friends for their support and enthusiasm.

A special credit is reserved for my very good friend Richard Jordan. Without his great enthusiasm and deep somatic understanding I would never have been introduced to many worthwhile events in my life. When you are visiting Costa Rica you might see him surfing on the beach at Nosara or you might want to participate in one of his ‘Somatic Yoga’ classes. You’ll love it !

The ‘Somatic Reflexes of Stress’ were mainly described by Thomas Hanna. It was my experience at the ‘Spine & Joint Centre The Netherlands’ in Rotterdam that created a much deeper understanding into the somatic reflexes of movement (I need to credit my friend Dr. Elizabeth Bastian for teaching me to look for the ‘intuitive’ behind a movement !). People with a background in Feldenkrais, The Alexander Technique, Sensory Awareness or other somatic modalities will recognize many components in ‘Somatic Conditioning™’. Other important influences have been Don Stapleton’s ‘Yoga AS IS’ program as well as Harriet Goslins’ ‘Cortical Field Re-education’. Influences from the world of sports, the field of rehabilitation / physical therapy, from the world of yoga, Pilates and from general knowledge on chakra’s and meridians are also visible and experiential within Somatic Conditioning™. All of the above complimented with a large amount of creativity and enthusiasm have created the beautiful flowing movements as experienced in Somatic Conditioning™.

As well, I need to mention my father who passed away from cancer in July 2001. He made me aware that there is still a long way to go before we truly understand health & fitness. He also encouraged me to keep exploring and creating new and better ways of health."