Croeso (welcome)

Thank you for taking the time to explore this site. I am so happy to be able to share my somatic practice and yoga experience with you.

Originally from West Sussex, I am very grateful to now call this beautiful and wild Wales my home. If I'm not on my yoga mat or working as a Brand Designer, you will find me walking with my crazy dog Yoji, foraging or finding moments to pause, find beauty and enjoy presence.

Why do we need somatics?

In a world where we live so much in our heads – along with cultural conditioning that encourages us to override emotions, in favour of stimulation and performance over intuition – it can be hard to find regulation and calm in the nervous system.

From 'soma', the Greek word meaning 'living body', somatics is the practice of embodied awareness that deepens our relationship to self, enhances intuition, cultivates a deeper sense of inner wisdom and peace, and empowers us to lead from within. There are various modalities that we can use to connect back to our body, these include;

Movement - In the form of dance, yoga, Thai Chi, Qigong or any form of synchronised or expressive movement
Sound & vibration - Through music and frequency attunement, but could also be through humming, drumming, singing, chanting, as well as tapping, or clapping
Sensation - Noticing sensations as well as drawing attention to the senses, also squeezing, stroking & holding
Breath - Breathing techniques that support, activate & deactivate the nervous system states
Self soothing - In the form of rocking, holding, swaying, as well as gentle micro movements, pushing & yielding
Release - This can be achieved through the expansion and contraction of breath, shaking & self expression
Neuroaesthetics - The act of noticing beauty as well as creative expression, to evoke & track emotional states.

How do somatic practices help?

These practices support the vagus nerve, a cranial nerve that enables us to safely move in and out of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system states. This helps us to maintain emotional balance and facilitates healing.

The vagus nerve, named from the Latin word for 'wondering,' is the longest nerve in the body, it runs from the brain through the neck, diaphragm, and into the intestine. Information moves between the brain and the gut in a two-way flow, providing us with "gut instinct" as well as other sensing abilities that help us discern safety from danger. Take a look at the Polyvagal Theory Chart developed by Dr Stephen Porges.

Somatic yoga incorporates toning of the vagus nerve, exploring many of the modalities listed above and utilising sensing techniques to speed up the connection and train the nervous system to find safety in the body. We do this through certain techniques that bring the nervous system back to a state of relaxation & restoration;

illustration of woman with her hand over her heart

Neuroception

A subconscious process of scanning the environment to sense threat. We work to shift neuroception toward sensing safety in the body.

Proprioception

Our body's sense of where it is in space, we develop this awareness through proprioceptive feedback to facilitate grounding, balance & coordination.

Orienting

Using our senses to orient ourselves within the practice space - this bring us into the present moment through calming awareness.

Grounding

Using techniques that connect us to the present moment through self touch, breath & environment, as well as sensing our weight through pushing & yielding.

Interoception

Sensing the internal state of the body, perceiving sensations like the pulsing of the heart, breath and temperature, for example.

Pandiculation

A natural reflex that resets muscle tone. We consciously squeeze & release to encourage deeper release of the muscle tissues & fascia.

Somatic Tracking

Observing sensations in the body without judgement - this helps to reprocess pain, promoting self-compassion & attunement.

Regulation

Yawning, sighing, humming, shaking, swaying, rocking, tracking, weight sensing, meditation & breathing all support nervous system regulation.

Are there any side effects to somatic practice?

Somatic yoga is a gentle and supportive practice that is first and foremost about finding safety in the body. When exploring stimulation of the nervous system states, a titrated approach is essential – introducing these practices in tiny steps until we can develop the ability to move between parasympathetic and sympathetic states with ease. This trains the body to feel safe outside of a class setting, in environments where historically there may have been activation and disregulation.

Somatic yoga is a trauma informed practice, this is because we hold emotional energy in the body within the fascia that surrounds the muscles. We can begin to release this stored energy and emotion through shaking, rocking, swaying, self-holding and expressive movement, occasionally this can also lead to supported emotional release.

Because of the deep healing benefits of regular somatic practice, it can be accompanied by weight reduction for those who store weight around the midsection (this is due to the lowering of cortisol levels and the body's need to "store energy" being reduced). Reducing cortisol also reduces inflammation in the body, meaning it can heal allergies and reduce auto immune symptoms as well as improving circadian rhythm (sleep cycle), it also helps to balance out other functioning hormones within the body.

If you have been diagnosed with CPTSD, psychiatric or personality disorders or schizophrenia, it is important to consult your mental health team first before engaging in a somatic yoga class. A private session can be facilitated through your team to ensure you have the right support during your exploring of somatic practice.