What is Sensory Motor Amnesia?
Sensory Motor Amnesia (also known as sensorimotor amnesia or SMA) is a term coined by Thomas Hanna. It describes when certain movement patterns become so habitual that they become involuntary and automatic, leading to a loss of ability to sense or control them.
Common Examples of Sensory Motor Amnesia
A common example is losing the signals to relax the neck, lower back, or shoulders, alongside losing activation in the core. Loss of awareness in one part of the body can create an imbalance in another.
How Does Sensory Motor Amnesia Relate to Muscle Memory?
Muscle memory describes the process of learning a movement pattern and strengthening its neural connections so that the movement becomes automatic and involuntary. Our brains adapt to the movements we engage in regularly, communicating with the nervous system to allow us to respond quickly—an important survival tool.
Everyday Examples
Consider sitting at a desk working on a laptop; your spine may round, and your shoulders may tense. You might even find yourself leaning to one side because your chair is uncomfortable. Your proprioceptive and vestibular systems (the systems that provide a sense of balance and spatial orientation) adapt to facilitate your activity. However, this is generally not a survival situation.
Rewiring Neural Pathways with Somatic Movement
Our neural pathways are plastic and can be rewired. In somatic movement, we integrate the body and mind to bring greater awareness to our movement patterns. Somatic movement encourages a greater connection with our inner worlds. You can learn more about somatic movement and our classes here. Book in to join us online or in-person here.
The Downside of Muscle Memory and Modern Lifestyles
Sensory Motor Amnesia can be described as the downside of the combination of muscle memory and our modern lifestyles. It is the state in which we have lost sensation and voluntary control of a movement or posture because it has become so deeply ingrained.
Restoring Mind-Body Connection with Somatics
In somatics, we learn to replace our habitual adaptations with adaptations that build our sense of autonomy and agency, and restore our mind-body connection.