We’re starting a new somatic movement and yoga class soon, so I thought it would be helpful to share some information about the style.

What is Somatic Movement

The word soma means ‘the body as perceived from within’. Somatic practice focuses on what you’re feeling in the body instead of form or outcome. Sarah Warren, the author of the Pain Relief Secret describes it as:

‘A movement that’s practiced consciously with the intention of focusing on the internal experience of the movement rather than the external appearance or the end result’.

You are encouraged to pay close attention to your body so that you can develop sensitivity and internal awareness. Somatic movement is deliberately slow and easy so you can take time to feel and undo unhelpful habitual movements patterns. The practice is designed to calm the central nervous system and re-educate the way our brain senses and moves the body.

The term ‘Somatic Movement’ was coined and popularised by Thomas Hanna in the 1970’s. He was a dedicated student of Mosche Feldenkrais (1904-1984) and was greatly influenced by his work.

Feldenkrais was an engineer, physicist, and expert in Judo and Jiu Jutsu. He had developed a whole system of physical therapy; his aim was to improve human function by increasing self-awareness through movement.

Why Somatic and Yoga?

There are many similarities between Somatics and Yoga. Both practices place importance on breathing and have a holistic view of the body, mind. They also use movement for better self-understanding.

What defines somatic movement is the belief that less is more. In other disciplines we are often encouraged to achieve certain moves or postures, but in this approach, you’ll be guided to use minimal muscular effort with easy movements. This can be liberating but it can also be challenging, as many of us have adopted the ‘no pain no gain’ motto. It can be a real shift to change our intention from achievement to curiosity. We will look beyond the outer form and cultivate an internal awareness. This genuine connection with your body will help you find new ways to cope with life challenges and changes. Combined with yoga’s philosophy of kindness and acceptance this practice can play an important role for aiding transformation.

What the class will be like

The class will be very relaxing and at the same time revealing, as it’ll gently expose our habits and how we commonly move. You’ll often be encouraged to practice with your eyes closed to minimise sensory stimulations and to take plenty of breaks in-between. This will help you to feel, absorb, and digest your experience and notice any changes from the practice. Much of somatic practice is done on the floor or in sitting but most importantly you’ll be asked to find a comfortable position that suits you.

This class will be beneficial for people with chronic pain and fatigue or those recovering from injury or illness. It’s also great for beginners and those that just want to take it slow and cultivate mindfulness. It can be a very transformative experience so really understand what the class will be like, you’ll need to experience it for yourself.

I hope to see you in class!

Our new community Somatic Movement and Yoga class with Naomi starts on 12:15-1pm every Wednesday from 25th September 2024

“In a world troubled by war, civil unrest, political tension, and personal conflict, yoga’s ability to relieve stress and foster inner calm offers a potent tool for promoting peace,”
Diana O’Reilly, British Wheel of Yoga Chair.

We’re proud to be offering a Gentle Yoga and Meditation class as part of BWY’s Yoga for Peace Movement on Saturday 13th July 2024. The session is offered on a donation basis or for free to make the event accessible to all. This class is also suitable for complete beginners, so you don’t have to feel intimidated even if you’ve never practiced yoga or mediation before.

People often think that yoga is all about postures and movements, but it’s more to do with your ability to find relaxation and focus. It’s about deep listening and connection, rather than doing and forcing. You’ll get nowhere by pushing and pulling because you cannot force connection.

In our modern society, achievement and goals are often valued more than simply being. However, allowing time to absorb and digest our experience is essential for cultivating a peaceful mind. Simply being comfortable with yourself is one of the most valuable things that we can nurture. This is why meditation and relaxation are such an integral part of our practice.

From teaching mediation regularly, I’ve found that it can be useful to do simple limbering and warm up prior to sitting. It helps to release tension and allows us to naturally transition into a relaxed meditative state. Gentle yoga also helps you to become more aware of subtle sensations and instil sensitivity.

As Bessel Van Der Kolk, best-selling author and trauma expert says,

‘if you have a comfortable connection with your inner sensations – if you can trust them to give you accurate information – you will feel in charge of your body, your feelings and yourself’.

Slower paced practice gives us the opportunity to forge these connections and in turn get to know ourselves better. When we feel comfortable and safe, our mind and body will effortlessly open and soften, enabling us to listen to the subtle qualities and wisdom within.

When I’m facing challenging situation, my inclination is to try and resolve it as quickly as possible, without paying much attention to how I’m doing or feeling. This reflex may work well in time of accident or emergency but in most cases, we need to slow down and connect so that we can act from a clearer intention. I find mediation allows me this opportunity.

Meditation practice isn’t about blanking your mind to escape from your troubles, it is a chance to tune in to your true experience. Over time, you’ll develop inner awareness and ability to decipher what’s important. Through this connection with the whole of your body, mind, and emotions, you will begin to feel calmer and more content. From here you can expand that connection to others and the environment from a place of wholeness and kindness.