Somatic yoga is a subtle practice designed to re-educate the brain on how to sense and move muscles. Essentially, it re-establishes the connection between the brain and the body using small, gentle, breath-centric movements to help relax muscles and release habitual patterns of tension.
Some benefits of somatic yoga include:
Relieving pain: Somatic yoga can help relieve chronic pain in the back, neck, and joints.
Improving flexibility: Somatic yoga can help improve flexibility and fitness.
Releasing emotions: Somatic yoga can help release stored emotions and traumas.
Improving posture: Somatic yoga can help improve posture.
In this training workshop, we'll learn the four basic concepts of somatics and experience three different somatic yoga practices aimed at the three different reflexes that cause chronic muscular tension and lead to sensory motor amnesia. We'll also learn a short routine that we can use for daily maintenance and keep the body and mind in tune with each other.
This training is appropriate for anyone - no experience with yoga is necessary. If you can lie on the floor, you can do somatic yoga. This training is also appropriate for yoga teachers who'd like to add more subtle, mindful movement to their teaching toolbox. RYTs can earn 7 CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
Recommended reading: Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control of Movement, Flexibility, and Health by Thomas Hanna