Soma Yoga

Somatic yoga therapy is a mind-body practice that blends traditional yoga with somatic principles to enhance body awareness and physical and emotional healing. It emphasizes slow, deliberate movements, breathwork, and mindfulness to help individuals connect with their internal physical sensations, release stored tension, and regulate stress. This approach prioritizes how movement feels overachieving a specific external posture, making it an adaptive and inclusive practice for all levels.

Key elements of somatic yoga therapy

• Focus on internal awareness: Instead of focusing on perfect poses, the practice encourages you to pay attention to the subtle physical sensations within your body as you move.

• Slow and deliberate movement: Movements are gentle, intentional, and often repetitive to help re-educate the nervous system and release chronic patterns of tension.

• Breath awareness: Deep breathing is a central component, helping to calm the nervous system and create a deeper connection between the breath, body, and mind.

• Mindfulness and curiosity: The practice cultivates a curious and non-judgmental awareness of your body's experience, helping you become an "expert in yourself".

• Integration of talk therapy: Some forms of somatic yoga therapy may also incorporate elements of talk therapy to address emotional and psychological pain.

Benefits of somatic yoga therapy include

• Reducing stress and anxiety by regulating the body's stress response.

• Improving body awareness and connection.

• Releasing physical and emotional tension, including trauma stored in the body.

• Supporting emotional regulation and self-compassion.

• Benefiting individuals with chronic pain, PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety.