VIDEO: Interview with Dr. Peter A. Levine on Smovey Rings

“The Smovey rings are a useful tool for mobilizing the body in a contained, safe way. They organize energy through sound, movement and rhythm, helping to link the autonomic and somatic (systems).” This is one of the very helpful tools I use along with the Bellicon Rebounder, Tuning Board, Body Blade, and a large gymnastic ball.” 

Taruno Steffensen, 

Steffensen Consulting International

Somatic Experiencing Practitioner 

Trauma Coach and Addiction Counselor

"As a Somatic Experiencing (SE) Practitioner and an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, I absolutely love working with the Smovey Rings! I’ve been practicing SE in the United States for 10+ years and use the Smovey Rings in most of my SE sessions with clients. The vibrations are enormously soothing to the nervous system, whether an individual is in a hyper or hypo state. The rings bring him or her to a state of balance and calm pretty quickly. The rings are so smooth and slick, and they appear to guide movement and promote awakening, opening and postural stability. 

In my SE sessions and therapy work, the vibrations also facilitate a mindful awareness of and connection to the body’s internal sensations, which is key in all trauma healing. In particular, the vibrations regulate the autonomic organ system to a state of equilibrium and homeostasis. For example, a woman came to me for severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms for years and after two sessions in which she used the Smovey rings, along with SE, she returned to the third session and was ecstatic over feeling “normal.” She has continued to have no issues with her bowel movements and has sustained this for seven months to date.

This product is simple in its own unique design and fantastic in its many applications, including a passive application.  Rolling the rings on specific parts of the body and feeling the pleasant sensations of the vibrations, gives tremendous pleasure for my otherwise highly dysregulated and traumatized clients. I absolutely and very highly recommend this product to all professionals that work with trauma and addictions.”

Taruno Steffensen, SEP

Steffensen Consulting International

1825 E. Northern Avenue, Ste. #161c

Phoenix, AZ  85020

taruno@steffensenconsulting.com

Swinging the Smoveys energizes people who come for a session intellectually overloaded, confused, worn out, or just over tired. Once we have used them in one session, some patients walk in, grab the rings, and start swinging and talking in the next sessions. 

During a session when I demonstrate how to use the Smoveys, I have often found that patients report calming down just by watching me find a nice rhythm. I can see them settling. 

As part of my introduction for patients I say that the Smoveys are novel to our nervous system. The sound, vibration, momentum, and color are novel. This novelty draws the attention of our nervous system, and we sync ourselves to the rhythm. 

I also use the Smoveys in group presentations of about 30 people. I demo the Smoveys, then I ask the group what changes they notice in me. Then I offer the Smoveys for others to try. Always a handful of people want to try them. 

One young man in treatment for addiction zealously started swinging during a group presentation. Whenever I saw him on campus he was walking on his toes, a toe walker. During the presentation when he began making a large circle, swinging and striding with the Smoveys, he started out walking on his toes. After a couple of circles he was walking using his heels and his pace had slowed. I wish someone could have prescribed the Smoveys for him to use regularly.