SomaYoga Wellbeing

SomaYoga Classes 

and Workshops

What does one learn in a SomaYoga class/workshop?

SomaYoga uses principles that originate in both somatic education and yoga.  All classes incorporate a heavy emphasis on focusing your attention on your bodily senses. During each movement, you will bring attention to what it feels like to relax a muscle as well as which muscles are used in the movement. Keeping your attention on the sensations involved in the movement is a key component in gaining voluntary control over the sensory-motor system to more effectively engage and relax the muscles as necessary.  Once you have learned to wake-up to your sensations, you will then learn how to move your body in better alignment with more traditional yoga movements/postures to reprogram dysfunctional patterns that cause tension and pain or lead to injuries and arthritis.  Yoga techniques such as breathing and mind practices will also be incorporated as appropriate for each class topic.

Principles include:

• Moving slowly
  
• Pay attention to your senses
  
• Stay out of pain
  
• Practice truthfulness in your own experience rather than striving for something that is not right for your body in the moment.
  
• Progress responsibly with strength and stability practices
  
• Commit to practices that are essential to create change 
  
• Honor staying in the process over the end goal
• Practice contentment for "what is" in the moment

You will be coached to make all movements slow, engaging their complete attention in the movement. The first part of the class is done lying on the floor to take out the need to use one’s attention to balance freeing the mind to focus its attention solely on the movement. The second part of class incorporates more traditional yoga poses/postures. If you have further questions whether this class is appropriate for your needs, please contact the instructor.

Class sessions and workshops may vary in theme, but are designed to be part of a well-rounded curriculum when practiced on a regular basis.

For those unfamiliar with somatic education, other closely related modalities relying on similar principles include neuromuscular rehabilitation and the Feldenkrais methods, although there are some differences in techniques and overall application.

Appropriate for:

• Seniors with arthritis or chronic tension or stiffness
  
• Those recovering from injuries
  
• Athletes/dancers/fitness enthusiasts/musicians, etc. who depend on fine-tuned physical movements
  
• Yoga or other mind-body movement practitioners/instructors
  
• Those interested in medication-free ways to prevent and alleviate pain, chronic tension, and stiffness, or facilitate postural corrections
  

Class notes:

Bring to class:  yoga mat/exercise pad, yoga blocks, a strap, blanket, and an open mind for learning.  (Some locations provide these props.)

Note:  About 1/2 the exercises will be done lying on the floor, with the other 1/2 integrating your increased functional movement with simple yoga moves that are modified for those with limitations.  

For specified classes/workshops, the instructor has 1 table that can be reserved for someone who is unable to easily get down and up from the floor. (Please establish this need with the instructor prior to attending.)

For specific questions contact the instructor, Kim Kies, at 608-207-6862 or email somaticwellbeing@gmail.com.