If you haven't had a Somatic Movement session with Catherine,  inquire. It's not for everyone but if it's right for you, it's pretty special.

Are you a regular swimmer? Beginner, recreational or even a pro - this is for you.

I was a world class swimmer and now am a somatic movement therapist and sports massage specialist at Psoas Massage + Bodywork. I've worked on many swimmers who suffer from varied postural irregularities due to swimming. Excessive internal rotation of the shoulders is among the most common ailments I see. Below I will explain how and why this occurs and what effects it has on your swim strokes. In the video, I will show an exercise to help counter this issue.


Excessive internal rotation of the shoulders and chest is an extremely common posture pattern in swimmers. The large strong muscles of the upper torso and shoulder tend to pull the body forward. Swimmers seeking to improve their swim stroke and standing posture will benefit from exercises that lengthen the entire front body, opening the chest and shoulders as well as strengthening the backside of the body and "teaching" the scapula to engage down the back. Additionally, if the arm is in flexion, as in a streamline or the "catch phase" of the stroke, engaging the scapula down becomes even more challenging.

Interestingly, swimming technique is counter-intuitive. Most people think that speed comes from pulling and kicking the water, however, just the opposite is true. Stabilizing in the water with core strength, then using proper extension in the catch phase creates an anchor point with the hand.  In the follow through the body moves past that anchored point. Therefore, there is actually little water movement when you stroke, and the movement comes from the body propelling forward.

Not stabilizing the scapula down the back prior to the "pull" creates internal rotation of the shoulders and chest and postural misalignment.  After countless hours of this practice the forward slouch becomes even more prevalant.This misalignment translates all the way down the spine; it can lift the head too high out of the water and drop the legs down into the water which both detract from proper hydrodynamics.

In a Somatic Movement Session, a wide variety of movement patterns will be broken down to improve technique in the water. Muscle tissue will be strengthened and lengthened for anatomical balance, and then applied to swimming stroke mechanics. After a session you will have a clearer picture for swimming technique, as well as exercises you can do to practice on your own.

Did you know that you can swim in the Bay? Maybe you have walked by Aquatic Park and seen those "crazy" people out there swimming laps.  Or perhaps you're a triathlete and an open water swim is part of your race. Anyone can learn to swim in the open water, and you may even come to love it!

Psoas has recently partnered with Swim Art, a bay area group which holds year round open swimming programs in the San Francisco Bay and beyond.

They are offering a special for Psoas clients:  $5 off any clinic or $10 off any Expedition swim, or one free Monday Night Group Swim.

'Flash Runs' take the spirit of a 'flash mob' (a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse.) and put a running twist on it.

'Flash runs' can (and will) happen anywhere at anytime. A flash run could take place in front of the Ferry Building during lunch hour. A flash run could take place in Golden Gate Park in the evening and conclude with a casual drink at the Beach Chalet.

Expect the unexpected. That being said, flash run warnings will be issued 6-12 hours in advance along with rendezvous points/start times. Most runs will be 'casual' 3-5 milers. Feel free to invite anyone you like.

Join the Flash Run Facebook Page

And look out for a Flash Run starting and ending at Psoas Massage + Bodywork early next week - with a special discount offering to all runners.