Book

How Somatic Movement Classes can benefit you

We use a holistic approach to well-being that integrates various movement practices, including dance, somatic tapping and shaking, Qigong, and yoga. Here's a breakdown of each element and how it can benefit you:

1. Dance

Movement through dance allows for self-expression, promoting emotional release and stress reduction. It enhances body awareness, coordination, and flexibility, contributing to a sense of joy and vitality.

2. Somatic Tapping and Shaking

These practices focus on releasing tension and stored trauma in the body. Tapping and shaking can activate the body's natural ability to discharge stress, promoting relaxation and reducing physical and emotional constriction.

3. Qigong

Qigong involves gentle, flowing movements coordinated with deep breathing. It aims to balance the body's vital energy, or "qi." Qigong can enhance flexibility, reduce stress, and promote a sense of calm and feeling centred.

4. Yoga

Yoga integrates breath, movement, and mindfulness, fostering flexibility, strength, and balance. It promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and improves overall well-being by connecting the mind and body.

How can Somatic Movement support you?

1. Stress Reduction:

The combination of these practices encourages the release of physical and emotional tension, providing a natural way to reduce stress and promote relaxation.

2. Emotional Well-being:

Movement practices like dance and somatic tapping and shaking offer a cathartic outlet, supporting emotional expression and contributing to a positive mental state.

3. Physical Flexibility and Strength:

Qigong, yoga, and dance contribute to improved flexibility, strength, and overall physical well-being, enhancing your body's resilience.

4. Mind-Body Connection:

Somatic practices emphasise the connection between the mind and body, promoting greater awareness and integration. This holistic approach can lead to a sense of balance and harmony.

5. Trauma Release:

Somatic tapping, shaking, and mindful movement can assist in releasing stored trauma from the body, offering a therapeutic outlet for those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma.

6. Self-Exploration:

These classes provide a safe space for self-exploration and self-discovery through movement, fostering a deeper understanding of your body and emotions.

In summary, a Somatic Movement as Medicine class offers a holistic and integrative approach to well-being, encompassing physical, emotional, and mental aspects. It can be a powerful tool for stress reduction, emotional release, and fostering overall vitality. As with any movement practice, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting if you have any health concerns.

Why practice Somatics?

Regular practice of somatic movement can help:

Headaches & migraines
Arthritis
Joint pain
Chronic lower back pain
Stiff neck & shoulders
Sciatica
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disfunction
Fibromyalgia
Hip pain
Sports injuries
Postural habits
Recovery from illness and injury
Insomnia
Pain management
Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression
Pregnancy and postnatal recovery

As well as promoting ease of movement, improved range of movement, relieve general stiffness and tension, and maintaining health and wellbeing.

What is pandiculation?

Pandiculation is a process of slow, conscious movements - teaching the brain and body how to release chronic tension and how to move more naturally and effectively, helping to prevent stress and damage to the body. Most animals in the vertebrate kingdom engage in this process. When an animal yawns (breaths deeply), they tense and then stretch their full body. It is this movement which is known as pandiculation. This process of tensing and then slowly releasing encourages the brain to communicate with the body, and through this communication the brain registers the presence of the muscles and learns to "switch them on and off" more efficiently, making it easier for us to use, and relax, our bodies.

What is Sensory Motor Amnesia?

Over time, when your body gets used to staying in a pattern, for example, sat at a desk all day, your core muscles learn to become permanently contracted. Previously it was thought that the core needed strengthening. It has now been discovered that in fact it actually because your muscles are permanently contracting and become weak as a result of overuse. Sensory-motor amnesia occurs when the brain is constantly sending a message to your muscles to keep them in contraction or protection mode. Hence the word amnesia, your brain has forgotten to send the message ‘relax’ to the muscles.

Use of art

Using art and creativity in a therapeutic way can provide a proactive and empathetic outlet for emotional support at times when words are difficult to express. Without being required to be 'good' at art, the concept instead is to simply use art and creativity in the most accessible and simple way to create healthy outlets for young people to express themselves and gain insight into their inner emotional world. The objective is simply to observe without analysis or judgement. This can encourage a natural unfolding and acceptance of what is arising within them and a deeper self-understanding and appreciation of their own uniqueness.

Use of sound

The practice of kirtan is an ancient yogic practice with a new evidence base supporting many psychological benefits. It is an active meditation which makes it much more accessible than formal sitting meditation, which can in some cases be re-triggering. Through singing and repeating words, phrases, or syllables, your mind focuses on the sound and stops your normal train of thought, thus clearing your mind. The benefits are endless, including:

reduces depression
improves memory
better sleep
relieves chronic pain

Book an Online Class