Deep Grounding. Enlivened Senses. Fluid Movement

What is Soma?

Soma Structural Integration® is a transformative manual therapy based in the lineage of the work developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. A psychologist named Bill Williams later wove in principles of cultivating greater body-mind connection in conjunction with the deep physical therapy meant to release and rebalance the body’s fascial web. Clients regain freedom of movement and are supported in developing new movement and postural patterns.

Soma works by rebalancing and re-educating the fascial system. Fascia is a type of connective tissue that lines muscles, blood vessels and nerves, and provides interconnected structure for our being. When we experience stress or use the body in an imbalanced way, tension and adhesions can develop in the fascia and pull our structure out of alignment. This is often accompanied by pain and reduced mobility.

Soma 11-Series

This series is made up of 11 sessions, each having their own specific goal in mind such as 3D breath expansion, grounding through the feet, and initiating movement from our core. My role as the practitioner is to help my clients achieve heightened body awareness, increased mobility, greater movement efficiency, and less experienced pain.

Each session is 120 minutes which includes a brief visual assessment, deep tissue release work and movement education. While working together, I encourage my clients to settle their minds and bring their awareness inwards.

Symptoms in one area may be caused by tension in multiple other areas, and working the whole body in balance provides a way to treat root cause and create long term pain relief and change. The systematic approach of the Soma 11 Series is designed to address specific areas of the body while bringing balance to the whole, restoring the body to its natural alignment.

Soma helps with injury prevention as well as recovery and compliments any movement practice. My goal as a Certified Soma Practitioner is to guide my clients towards achieving heightened body awareness, increasing mobility, and less experienced pain.

* Individual treatment sessions are also available if desired.

Meet Your Practitioner

Hello! I'm James Harnois, a licensed massage therapist and certified Soma practitioner. I am originally from coastal New England but now call the Pacific Northwest my home.

I love to move my body and connect with the natural world. Whether I walk, run, bike, hike, swim, dance or climb, movement reminds me to plug in to my senses, deepen my breath and open my mind. Our fast paced, modern world can sometimes hinder these essential practices, leaving us in a state of dis-ease. Stuck at a desk, in a car, or behind our screen of choice, we lose our footing, our inner grounding, and can adopt poor postural and movement patterns along the way.

Like many health care workers, I came here on my own path to healing. In my 30s I suffered from chronic pain, inflammation and digestive issues. I wasn’t able to do many of the things that I enjoyed and that made me feel whole. After working with several talented and caring people over the years I became fascinated with the mind-body connection, natural medicine and bodywork. I learned first hand how we can heal ourselves through nutrition, movement, and deepening our internal awareness to help regulate our nervous systems. After going through the Soma 11 series in 2017, I knew right away that this would be my next journey. More than just hands-on bodywork, I hope to provide my clients with the tools they need to spark their own curiosity and ability to move through the world with greater awareness and ease in their bodies and minds. I look forward to meeting you.

Testimonials

  • James has gone above and beyond to help me with recovery from a persistent injury, really spending time to understand my viewpoint and get a whole picture of the embodied experience. His calm presence is reassuring and his dedication and curiosity around bodywork is inspiring.

    C.C.

  • “ James was very thorough with his treatment. He evaluated my issues carefully and came up with flexible treatments during each session. Highly recommend. ”

    R.M.

  • “ I contacted James about muscle tightness due to a sports related injury. James promptly responded and was able to schedule a session. After the session, I experienced a greater range of motion. I would definitely recommend. ”

    J.H.

  • “ James is an excellent, skilled, and considerate practitioner. I have been receiving bodywork from him for years and he always delivers, whether I'm experiencing muscle pain and tightness, overall stress and anxiety, or just need a whole-body reset. ”

    K.W.

  • “ James is a wonderful and attentive bodyworker. He is considerate and takes the time to really listen. His work is graceful and fluid. I feel amazing after my Soma sessions with him: taller, more at ease, grounded, less discomfort/pain and also feel a greater range of motion throughout my body. ”

    J.G.

  • " James is a knowledgable and skilled massage practitioner. I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking the full Soma series (I've gone through twice with him) or needing a bit of extra body work. "

    R.J.