About Eric Cooper
In skeptical desperation I tried something called “Somatics”
In 2010, I could no longer tolerate my hip, sacrum, and spasmy back pain.
I needed a cane to walk. My arms were numb.
I had a hunched forward posture. I was off to the side.
I felt broken.
I deeply studied many advanced methods that did not help much.
I tried everything.
I felt helpless in my muscle-tension pain problem.
In desperation, I skeptically tried “Somatics”.
To my surprise
I was able to create a real improvement in my pain problem.
I had severe depression for over 30 years.
Now, I am NOT a depressed person.
I am totally pain free.
I feel better than I ever have.
I have revised and improved the traditional Somatics process.
I’m working on bring this improved method to the world.”
–Eric Cooper
Developer of Inspired Somatic Education®
Eric Cooper is a passionate somatics expert dedicated to fostering individual growth through a unique and adaptive teaching approach. Recognized for his commitment to sincerity, creativity, and personalized mentorship. He strives to create a collaborative community where each person’s journey is valued and encouraged.
Click for info on Eric Cooper's education and certifications
I have been in intensive training, developing this modality, since 2010..
After a long history of chronic pain, I found myself needing a cane to walk in 2010.
Before studying formally, I memorized Janet Travell’s two volume medical text, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction.
My first professional training was a workshop for practitioners on Trigger Point Therapy by Amber Davies, co-author of the Trigger Point Therapy workbook over 400,000 sold).
I graduated from a technical medical massage program, hoping it would help me solve my own pain problem.
- Graduated with an A average. The most requested student in my class.
- Licensed massage therapist, LMT.
Specialized certifications as:
- Myofascial Therapist, CMFT This did not solve my problem.
- Neuromuscular Therapist (Trigger point specialization), CNMT. This did not solve my problem.
Another year of specialized study”:
- Certified Onsen Techniques Therapist, COTT The Onsen Muscle Therapy Techniques are a gentle, elegant system of Osteo-articular manipulation that align and address posture using Osteopathic MET and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation techniques.. This did not truly solve my problem.
I found Hanna Somatics, a system that allows the brain to relearn how to regain control of the habituated reflexive contractions that are causing pain and stiffness.
- Hanna Somatics Exercise Coach, HSEC. Certified by Martha Peterson, CHSE
Completed a 3-year graduate-level program in Clinical Somatic Education.
“You are one of my two most brilliant students.”
-Martha Peterson, founder of Essential Somatics, at the time I graduated from her program.
- Certified Clinical Somatic Educator, CCSE under the guidance of Martha Peterson CHSE, Theresa Evans CCSE and Laura Gates CHSE/CCSE essentialsomatics.com.
“You are one of my two most brilliant students.”
-Martha Peterson, founder of Essential Somatics, at the time I graduated from her program.
I am completely pain free with the control and awareness that I found easily with Clinical Somatics in the tradition of Thomas Hanna!
I am not a doctor. But I do have doctors and surgeons as clients! I’m not a chiropractor or a physical therapist. This is a different approach that addresses the root of the problem, the learned and normalized tension holding patterns run by the nervous system.
Sincerely,
-Eric Cooper, CCSE
Certified Clinical Somatic Educator
Hanna Somatic Exercise Coach
Certified Onsen Muscle Techniques Therapist
Licensed Massage Therapist
Certified Neuromuscular Therapist
Certified Myofascial Therapist
“You are one of my two most brilliant students.”
-Martha Peterson, founder of Essential Somatics, at the time I graduated from her program.
I shifted my perspective.
I had been frozen,
held in a suspended animation of
my reactions to the difficulties of my life.
There were surprising improvements right away.
The improvement continued.
Even after I freed myself from my pain,
I continued to feel better and better, more supple and free.
Along the way, I have become more resilient to stress.
I know how to find ease and create the experience of vitality.
It was the only thing that worked.
Now, my mission is
to deliver a revised and improved version
of this process to those who need it.
I help people address why they have pain.
People with posture and pain problems come to me. Often, after they have seen everybody else, without resolution. Pain limits their lives. This is done with process of looking inward during a very specialized set of easy movements.
I am often able, in the sessions, to have them eliminate that pain entirely.
They overcome the trap, the loop, they are in.
Here’s a brief summary of my story:
I had a life with plenty of stress and hard work.
I had injuries along the way.
I had decades of job-related repetitive motion.
The result was unrelenting pain, tension and sadness.
I needed a cane to walk. Everything was sore.
I’d lie awake at night, worrying.
I was stuck and trapped.
I had it really bad.
I went on a quest to find a solution.
There was an incomplete method called Clinical Somatics
that came close to helping me be out of pain.
I improved it.
I completely revised it.
I made it into an adaptable, optimally effective system.
Fast forward:
Now, my pain is gone.
I’m no longer trapped in depression.
My muscles aren’t sore.
Change is possible.
“I’m a firm believer in Thomas Hanna’s belief that Somatics would be the next revolution in Psychology therapy.
Love
where you have taken this work.”
-An advanced Hanna Somatic Practitioner