Sensory motor amnesia (SMA) is a term coined by Thomas Hanna, a somatic educator and founder of the field known as Hanna Somatic Education. It refers to a condition in which individuals lose their voluntary control over certain muscles or movement patterns due to habitual and unconscious muscular contractions.

SMA occurs as a result of the body’s natural adaptive response to stress, injury, or repetitive movements. When we experience pain or discomfort, our nervous system responds by tightening and contracting the muscles in that area as a protective mechanism. Over time, these contractions can become chronic and habitual, leading to a loss of awareness and voluntary control over those muscles.

The name “sensory motor amnesia” reflects the fact that both the sensory and motor aspects of movement are affected. Sensory feedback from the muscles becomes diminished, making it difficult to perceive and sense them accurately. Additionally, the brain’s ability to voluntarily initiate and control those muscles is compromised.

Common examples of sensory motor amnesia include tension in the neck and shoulders, a rigid or immobile lower back, or restricted movement in the hips. These patterns can interfere with overall movement efficiency, posture, and can contribute to chronic pain or limitations in physical activities.

Hanna Somatic Education aims to address sensory motor amnesia through gentle and mindful movement exercises called somatic movements. These movements help individuals reestablish their voluntary control over their muscles, release chronic tension, and improve their overall movement patterns. By enhancing sensory awareness and restoring voluntary muscle control, individuals can regain freedom of movement and alleviate pain or discomfort associated with sensory motor amnesia.