Reflection from participant in SomaHut Study Group 2025-2026 Lara mercer

Being part of the SomaHut Study Group meant being surrounded by people who share an interest in movement, education, and research. It encouraged me to develop a different way of thinking, one that extends beyond the strict boundaries of formal education. I have come to realise that learning does not happen only during our meetings and workshops, but also in the time between them—in the reflection, exploration, and personal processes that unfold when we are apart.

As a physiotherapist and dance scientist, the experiences and knowledge I gained through the Study Group have shaped the way I understand therapy and the direction in which I want my practice to develop. I have drawn on many of the insights gained through our workshops and meetings in my work with musicians and older adults, finding ways to incorporate a more exploratory and holistic approach into my practice.

Taking on additional responsibilities within the SomaHut association also required a deeper commitment to the work we were doing. I had to find ways to communicate our activities to a wider audience, present them clearly on the SomaHut website, and translate our articles into English. These tasks allowed me to contribute to the association in ways that extended beyond participation in the Study Group itself, while also developing my communication, organisational, and translation skills.

This year, I also had the opportunity to participate in the LACE conference in Vienna as a member of the SomaHut Study Group, alongside my colleagues Zrinka and Ana. The central theme of the conference was interstitial space—the fascia, a subject I had only recently begun exploring in greater depth. Although fascia is an important part of our anatomy, I feel that its role has not always received the attention it deserves. The growing interest in this area was evident among the conference participants, who approached the subject from a variety of perspectives and professional backgrounds.

Each workshop offered a new way of exploring movement, our physical abilities, and the ways in which we experience and use our bodies. What I found particularly valuable was the opportunity to encounter different approaches and perspectives, rather than searching for a single way of understanding interstitial space, fascia, or human movement. Above all, the conference brought together people from diverse backgrounds who shared a curiosity about this fascinating structure and a desire to explore its relationship with the body. Being part of that exchange reminded me of the importance of interdisciplinary learning and of remaining open to different ways of understanding movement, health, and the human experience.

One of the most valuable aspects of the Study Group was learning to approach movement not only through its anatomical and physiological components, but also through individual perception, experience, and exploration. This has encouraged me to pay closer attention to how people experience their bodies during therapy, rather than focusing exclusively on the physical outcome of an exercise.

Zagreb, 24 September 2026