Training Student Testimonials

The training I received from Somatic Systems Institute for my full Certification in Clinical Somatic Education was nothing short of excellent. I could go on and on about my experience, however, I'll keep it contained...

1. Steven Aronstein is an excellent educator. He shared his years of knowledge in Clinical Somatics with us, holding nothing back. He took his time, made sure we understood principles, concepts and the hands on training. There was never a problem reviewing to clarify. His assistant, Patience Bousel, was also excellent, sharing her knowledge and helping us clarify and grow in our personal and professional practice.
    
2. The clinics were a great hands on experience. Yes, they were nerve-wracking. However the learning from the clients and the feedback from teachers, trainers and peers was invaluable. There was never any harsh criticism, only beneficial feedback that we were able to put into practice immediately. Some of my biggest takeaways to apply to my work came from those experiences. You learn from feedback and the teachers that gave their time during the Trainers Clinic, were great. They know the work, so they could guide us along, letting us know what we were doing well and what could use improvement. The public clinics allowed us to do hands-on work while being observed by other teachers and our peers. Again, very valuable feedback.
    
3. I came into the program as a Certified Yoga Therapist, very proud of what I had accomplished and what I learned from that experience. Once in the program, I very quickly started referring to my self as a Clinical Somatics Educator-in-training. That is how valuable I found the work, for myself and for my clients. Very quickly into the program I was able to apply the skills I learned to my personal practice and my clients and the results I was getting, even early on as a newbie, were so much more effective than all the training I had prior to starting with Somatic Systems and Steven Aronstein. The Yoga Therapy Certification I completed was very thorough and is a highly regarded school!
    
4. The program is run with our results in mind. They don't want to crank out a bunch of graduates, they want us to excel and get excellent results. It was very important for us to give feedback, so Steven and Patience would know how they could improve the program and how they would need to teach us. I always felt comfortable giving feedback, even negative, as I knew it would be taken seriously and implemented immediately. The entire training felt very democratic.
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5. The icing on the cake, or the cherry on the top, was the friendships that developed during the training. I do believe we will stay lifelong friends and colleagues.

Yes, the training is a 2+year commitment and it may be more costly than other trainings that are out there, however, hands down, I would consider it being an advanced degree training and well-worth every penny I spent. As I said earlier, I was able to quickly apply what I learned into my business, which increased my business over what I had been experiencing. I've more than made my money back in a very short period of time. You can't beat experience and Steven has that experience. He knows the work inside out, he is excellent at the work. He still sees clients, so his knowledge stays fresh.

I highly recommend the program to anyone who is considering it. You will be so happy you did!

The training staff is excellent. Good chemistry between them and a well balanced sharing of the teaching labor. Everyone is fun and personable which makes for an excellent learning environment. I'm feeling confident and well prepared to offer my services in the community as a Clinical Somatics Educator, even as a student-in-training. I'm seeing more clients (paying clients mind you) than I would have imagined at this stage of learning. And I'm getting results. Clients are referring others in for sessions. I can't wait to learn more.

I have used Clinical Somatic Education to overcome not only the first and last time I “threw my back out” but to manage and eventually eliminate migraines from my life.

I first met Steven and the gang in 2008 when I began the practitioner training at Somatic Systems Institute the first time.

Yes, I said the first time. I wasn't able to continue after the first module so I stopped.

I finally came back to begin again in 2012 and then finished my class hours a little over two years later. He welcomed me back as if I had been there all along.

We get along well, and he is ready and willing to answer any questions you might have. If he doesn't have the answer already he will do his best to find it. Unless of course it is better that you find it on your own. :)

You might think the repetition of some of the principles of the work is excessive. Believe me it is not. When you begin the training you will likely have a way of seeing things and an understanding of how you and others operate that is almost the exact opposite of what you will learn and experience. Because it is your habit to think and perceive that way it might take a while for you to get out of it and then into the habit of seeing and experiencing differently. That is into realizing how you've been seeing and experiencing all along but just haven't been so clearly aware of it and then getting into the habit of going about each day so that you always remember.

I'm not sure whether I can say enough about how valuable Clinical Somatic Education is for you yourself, not to mention to all those you could help in a profound way. CSE literally has to do with the quality of our life. If we are not Somatically "literate," we suffer from the things that are going on under our conscious radar or attention that unchecked compromise the way we function. The moment we start to become aware of those things our quality of life begins to improve. Over time you will experience relief and change that you never imagined possible and--if you go through with this training or even point others to CSE practitioners or classes or self-guided resources--you will be able to direct others toward the exact same thing.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I have personally benefited tremendously from the use of Clinical Somatic Education and I have been through the training. In addition to the two ways I've benefited that I mentioned at the beginning of this review I have been able to maintain my eyesight (at approximately 20/20.25), avoid constipation, overcome and avoid hemorrhoids, and eliminate my constant runny nose issue. There are plenty of other ways I've improved with the help of Clinical Somatics including several that would normally be considered psychological, but that will do for now.

All the best to you, whatever you choose.

(This testimonial reprinted with permission from an independent online review site.)

‘Where did this come from?’ I kept asking myself, after recently participating in a Clinical Somatics movement weekend workshop. I was more than surprised — shocked! — to find that I immediately experienced an almost miraculous recovery from chronic long-term tight muscles and pain! That‘s all it took: The following week I restructured my whole life to take this training [to become a professional Clinical Somatics practitioner].

A week later I found myself standing in front of the Somatic Systems Institute getting up the nerve to take that first steps into my beginning semester of training, to become a Clinical Somatic Educator myself.

The training was profound, precise. The academics were well thought out, organized, and paced in way that allowed me, with ‘only a martial arts background’ to get more than I could ever have imagined. It was the fastest 9 days I have experienced, and ended too soon. But I was ready to practice what I was given. I now have the beginning tools to explore and ‘hone’ new skills, before the next module of studies. I was a little torn having to leave newfound friends and the support of the teaching staff, but was happy to find the support staff are also our personal mentors in between semesters, and fellow students are just an email or phone call away, to chat, talk about our experiences, or resolve the ‘Big Question’... Which is the best restaurant in Northampton?