Yoga Studio Cochrane Alberta - Fireside

The Physical Benefits of Somatic Yoga in Cochrane Fireside

I will start with what’s obvious; Somatic movement, restorative yoga, breath work and meditation feel good. With mindful movement from the inside out, we do not stretch or strengthen. Somatic movement encourages ease and pleasure, improving body awareness and fostering a deeper connection between the brain and body. Individuals become more aware of their internal experiences and release stored tension and pain.

Many students come with chronic pain-especially in the back, shoulders, neck, and hips with Somatic movement patterns, people often feel taller, lighter and more free. People use Somatic movement to improve mind-body connection, unwind holding patterns, pain, and to encourage healthy body movement.

Improved circulation, digestion, sleep and immune function are only a few of the many physiological and neurological benefits. Somatic movement yoga is a practice that focusses on the conscious and intentional experience of movement within the body, rather than on the external appearance or outcome of the movement. Emphasizes internal awareness and the mind, body connection, helping individuals connect with their physical sensations and emotions. For these reasons, people with physical adversities, injuries, or those that are new to this practice, Somatic movement yoga is accessible to all.

Mental and Emotionally Rewarding

Somatic movement and yoga breath work are very important for mental emotional well-being.

In our busy, hurried, fast paced society filled with stress and anxiety, depression is more prevalent. Breath work, meditation and Somatic movement yoga all work together to encourage “turning on” the parasympathetic nervous system and alpha brain wave state, promoting relaxation.

Science has provided us with positive information showing a regular yoga practice can lower cortisol levels (the bodies stress hormone), improve mood and enhance clarity and cognitive behaviour. Many of my yoga students express the positive impact on stress, sleep, improved inward connection and or simply the feelings of being more present and in the Now.

Building Belief in Oneself and Inward Connection

One of the most beautiful things for me is to see a person’s growth within themselves. Trusting themselves, listening from the inside and understand that if they are body led from a place of ease and pleasure they will not create a negative response. The key is inner awareness and mindfulness. People benefit at and away from a yoga class. They begin to notice how they feel, how they react and where they hold tension or emotion in their body. The beginning of a relationship with the self.

This body led, inward self-awareness is almost immediate. I see in students practice how much more confident, patient and resilient they become. They learn to approach their practice with more compassion, trust and belief in their body (soma) and in their self. They begin to have more compassion for themselves.

Yoga is not a workout, “yoga is not about getting strong enough for the pose on our vision board –it’s building inner strength when our vision is not clear.”

Somatic movement yoga, meditation and breath work invite a sense of discipline and or dedication, even on the days when you feel less motivated. Demonstrating your presence at a class is an act of self-love and compassion for one self. Each time we come to the yoga mat, we honour ourselves with where we are at, the growth we have endured and that it’s a process, not a destination.

We Start Where We Are At

One of my favourite sayings is be here be now. We don’t have yesterday, it’s the past. We don’t have tomorrow, it has yet to arrive. Be present. Be now. If we find ourselves in the future or in the past, it’s usually our mind controlling us. So learning to identify between the mind and the self is something I really like to hone in on and teach. Show up with a willingness to focus inward.

When you arrive at my studio, you will quickly learn we do not stretch. We do not strengthen. We take our Soma (body) through movement patterns. The brain is re-educated and the muscles are re-patterned with Somatic movement.

Somatic movement yoga is an all-level friendly class for all levels. With clear guidance and gentle pacing I am trained to support you with kindness, encouragement, and the wisdom of experience. There’s no pressure to be perfect—just an invitation to explore from within.

I offer Somatic movement yoga for inexperienced or experienced students. With clear, gentle guidance and timely demonstration. I’m trained to support you with kindness and encouragement and wisdom of experience. There is no right way. It is your body’s way. Because Somatic Movement is body led Your practice will be individual to you. Each of us are different. One person may be able to move in a movement pattern that has little restriction whereas the next person can only move within millimetres or small increments. It does not matter. We work from within and in a gentle pleasurable, easy way. There are always modifications available. These modifications do not affect the outcome, what they do is encourage and support, comfort, and ease.

A Practice That is a Way of Life

Yoga at the core is actually the breath. However, in North America, it has shifted to yoga meaning ASANAS (postures). This is why I always include breath work in my classes. Some of the breath work is specific, like alternate nostril breathing, Nadi Shodhana or one of the various other options.

I always include some sort of talk about being present, being in the now. When we aren’t present, it’s usually our mind that is wanting to control us. The mind will have us jump to the past or the future. Counting is very important with breath work because it keeps the mind at bay and it has us telling the mind, this is what I want you to do, you are going to count. If we don’t give the mind a job to do, it will give itself a job and that’s usually as I said, moving to the past or jumping to the future, and both are full of regret or anxiety.

Yoga is a union of the body, mind, breath. It also connects us to community, nature and a deeper purpose. It teaches us patience, kindness, balance, and gratitude.

Many students find that their time on the mat transforms how they live off the mat. They become more mindful eaters, more patient parents, more focused workers, and more compassionate friends.

That’s the power of yoga it brings an awareness of how we move and how we live. It really teaches about our relationship with our self and body.