Somatic Education
Mindfulness and Embodiment
for
Stress Anxiety Trauma
&
Empowerment

Your body's talking, are you listening?

Learn to leave those heavy, feelings of powerlessness behind.

Practice respect and caring for yourself. Practice respect and caring for others.

Practice respect and caring for your community.

Richard E Sims

RSME, RSMT, CTP

Hi, I’m Rich Sims. I teach adults, children and teens, empowering somatic, embodied approaches and tools to improve their emotional and physical wellbeing. I work privately or as a part of a whole person integrative healthcare team.

This helps achieve the open, relaxed, caring power to work through life’s stressful often problematic challenges.

Some of my specialties include working with the fear, stress, anxiety, resilience, depression and trauma that can affect relationships and performance personally, professionally and academically.

I teach by using the connection between our bodies, minds, emotions and distress responses. Some of the methods I use include Somatic Education, Body Awareness, Breathing, Meditation, Embodiment, Mindfulness, and the principles of the non-violent art of Aikido. Through this body based toolbox, a personal approach is developed for each individual or group I help.

Through our practice, you’ll achieve a powerful place to stand and, more importantly, learn to move forward from, ready to face and be present for each moment life brings. Simply put, “Empowered.” Scroll down to learn more!

Richard E Sims

RSME, RSMT, CTP

Hi, I’m Rich Sims. I teach adults, children and teens, empowering somatic, embodied approaches and tools to improve their emotional and physical wellbeing.

This helps achieve the open, relaxed, caring power to work through life’s stressful often problematic challenges.

Some of my specialties include working with the fear, stress, anxiety, resilience, depression and trauma that can affect relationships and performance personally, professionally and academically.

I teach by using the connection between our bodies, minds, emotions and distress responses. Some of the methods I use include Somatic Education, Body Awareness, Breathing, Meditation, Embodiment, Mindfulness, and the principles of the non-violent art of Aikido. Through this body based toolbox, a personal approach is developed for each individual or group I help.

Through our practice, you’ll achieve a powerful place to stand and, more importantly, learn to move forward from, ready to face and be present for each moment life brings. Simply put, “Empowered.” Scroll down to learn more!

Dune-bridge-Somatic-Embodied-Education-Richard-Sims

Why the Body Matters

We live on this earth through our bodies. Whether we “think” we’re more intellectual or physical, the truth is we experience the world, ourselves and others through our bodies.

This is the opposite of what many believe. We’re taught the brain is “The General” and the body simply carries out the General’s orders. We’re never taught to recognize what the body has say or its role in who we are, and how we feel, behave and act towards ourselves and others.

We "Think" We Know

We’re convinced if we process or observe something long enough, the solution will simply appear. But by taking this approach we’re only using a fraction of our potential abilities by leaving some of our most tangible tools rusting in our toolboxes. Embodied tools that are always there if we learn to use them.

These are the tools and approaches I teach and we’ll use in whatever we are working to achieve.

"The way we live on this earth is through our bodies."

What is Empowerment?

To become empowered you need to understand what “Personal Power” is. From there you can learn to cultivate your own power and use it confidently and wisely. Through this active use, practice and new understanding of power you will become, Empowered!

Personal Power Defined

“Personal power” is the ability to control yourself and your environment, while maintaining your safety to achieve your goals, needs and desires. When you have it, you’re “Empowered,” you feel stable, energized and secure. Then, “Life Happens” and things beyond your control leave you feeling lost, or at the mercy of other people or things leading to stress, anxiety and sometimes trauma. So, how do you regain your power or achieve a power you may never have had?

Attaining a Caring Open Power

Many believe power is determined and gained through size, strength, intimidation and harm. But these are understandings born from bullying, dominance and abuse.

People often fail to realize the loving power of a mother or father calming their hysterical child, the relaxed power of talented athletes or the warmth created from a child wholeheartedly helping a friend. These actions are examples of true emotional and physical Power.

They are expressions of an open, caring power that can be felt in yourself and the people you touch whether you’re a parent, first responder, caregiver or friend. It’s the physical and mental strength that enables you to be present in times of need, ready to wisely respond instead of blindly reacting.

It’s also a power that is physically stronger, faster and more balanced than the stereotypical hard bodied, rage fueled approach many believe is the best way to tackle life’s challenges.

But how is such a calm, confident, caring power attained? This is the heart of my work.

Some Abilities you'll Learn to Achieve

A powerful, stable place to stand, work and move from to achieve your goals, needs and desires.

The ability to be calmly present while choosing the appropriate action without freezing, or later questioning and doubting your actions.

To truly know you have choices, with the ability and confidence to act upon them in a calm, respecting, caring way.

Learn to embrace conflict or challenges as an opportunity for improvement.

To not be overwhelmed by physical or mental hardships.

To understand that power and control are neither good nor bad but neutral and are given their purpose by how we decide to use them.

"Personal power" is the ability to control your environment, maintaining your safety while achieving your goals, needs and desires.

My close friend, collaborator and teacher sums things up perfectly.
Power without love is brutality. Love without power is ineffective.
– Paul Linden

Rich listens with a soft and kind heart, yet has strength and stability in his being. It feels as though the air gets lighter. He is attentive, genuine and has clarity of mind and kindness of heart. What makes him great is that he doesn’t judge. He connects. He is there with you.

Adi Goren, Israel
Dance Instuctor

Rich has been studying Being in Movement® mindbody education and aikido, (a non-violent martial art) with me for a number of years. He is talented, clear thinking, creative, imaginative, and persevering in developing his own work from what he has learned from me and others. He continues to bring his work to the people he serves, for example, those affected by cancer, depression, or abuse, or to professionals who suffer from vicarious traumatization. He is a practical idealist, wanting to help the world, and I hope he succeeds in this goal. I’m happy to count Rich as one of the people that will continue to carry my creation forward for many years to come.

Paul Linden, PhD.
Somatic Educator, Creator of Being in Movement® mindbody education. 6th degree black belt, Aikido.

Rich is a joy to work with. He has a unique combination of sharp and discerning mind and a radiant heart that always shines through. You cannot help but open to deeper parts of yourself in his presence.

Miles Kessler, Israel
Meditation Teacher, Director of The Integral Dojo

Rich has the deep understanding that only comes from applying his teachings in his daily life. He’s highly adept at helping people get comfortable, bringing out their full potential. He’s also one of the most thoughtful people I know, understanding that teaching is as much about listening/observing as it is about talking/showing.

Jonathan Knipping, Greater Chicago Area
PT, DPT, RYT-200 (Registered Yoga Teacher)
Husband and Caregiver of loving wife (Breast Cancer Survivor)

Rich has a calming influence. His genuine excitement in your growth is infectious. He’s opened my eyes with his thoughtful understanding and listening, giving me an understanding of how to use my body to work with my emotions. I’m amazed how quickly I can now recognize what my body has shown me my entire life.

Dan G., Greater Chicago Area
Husband and Caregiver of loving wife (Breast Cancer Survivor)

I highly recommend Richard Sims. In person or virtually he’s always a helpful pleasure!

Angelika Cyllok, Germany
Executive Coach and Facilitator

Getting there from here.

Most people believe their bodies simply obey their mind’s commands. They never dream their bodies are also leading their minds!

I’m certainly not suggesting we do whatever our bodies say. I am suggesting there’s a balanced point, where the mind and body speak and work together, to form a whole, more balanced, you!

Getting there from here.

Most people believe their bodies simply obey their mind’s commands. They never stop to think their bodies can also lead their minds!

I’m certainly not suggesting we do whatever our bodies say. I am suggesting there’s a balanced point, where the mind and body speak and work together, to form a whole, more balanced, you!

Some areas of my work.

Mindfulness

(Trauma Sensitive & Wider Scope Approaches)
The skillful use of attention to become non-judgmentally and curiously aware of your thoughts and feelings, in the present moment, to help work with and expand your physical and mental well-being.

Somatic Education & Embodiment

An approach that studies the body as a physical and biological machine. A machine where the mind and body are one and how through this BodyMind approach you can work with and increase your physical, emotional and mental stamina, resilience and well-being.

Somatic Education & Embodiment

An approach that studies the body as a physical and biological machine. A machine where the mind and body are one and how through this BodyMind approach you can work with and increase your physical, emotional and mental stamina, resilience and well-being.

Then Some

The truth is, life’s hard and not always fair. It can also be open, caring and loving. Because it’s important to have fun along the way, especially with things that help, I always mix in a good balance of play and open accepting joy.

Somatic Education

The body has more to say then most realize. Learn the language of the body to increase your physical and mental well-being.

Empowerment

Empowered is the opposite of being helpless, shut down and frozen. Gain the power to be with, embrace and enjoy the many moments to come!

Mindfulness

By approaching mindfulness in a general and trauma sensitive way this powerful approach becomes accessible when it’s most needed.

Stress Management

Through a variety of body based approaches learn to bring down, recognize and work with life’s biggest stressors.

Centering Grounding

These techniques teach you how to achieve a stable, calm, caring, power filled life. Ready for whatever’s thrown your way.

Relaxation

Relaxed is not limp. We’re more efficient and powerful when relaxed. Move away from our normal bracing or focused reactions to a calmer more efficient state.

Gratitude

From helping achieve better sleep to deeper more meaningful relationships, the simple act of truly being grateful can profoundly effect your physical and mental health.

Aikido

Through the “Art of Peace” achieve increased body awareness, confidence and as it’s creator, stated, Masakatsu Agatsu or “True Victory is Victory Over Oneself.”

Personal Defense

Most of us don’t face punches and kicks. Achieve the skills to defeat the verbal and emotional attacks we all face.

Emotional & Self Regulation

Gain the ability to manage disruptive emotions, behaviors, thoughts and impulses.

Caregiving & Resilience Training

Who’s caring for you? Care for yourself and others more deeply, openly and freely while going, and going, and going…

Depression

Learn the crucial role the body can play alongside the many traditional therapeutic modes in dealing with the hopelessness and anxiety depression can bring.

Trauma

Gain tools to move out of the “Stuckness” and “Collapse” often brought on through traumatic events. Learn new open, loving, empowered ways forward.

Survivorship

Body based ways of opening and reclaiming your power to bring love and joy back to your body, spirit and mind.

Performance

Learn to use your body and mind as one, making Professional, Educational, Athletic, and personal challenges more easily achieved.