Embodied Movement

 

 
 

What is embodiment?

The word somatics is derived from the Greek root ‘soma’ meaning ‘of the body.’ Soma can be understood as the ‘living organism in its wholeness.’ The soma holds our embodied thinking, thought process, and internal stances. It’s 3 billion years of evolutionary wisdom and a paradigm from which we can understand how we transform. Experiences of oppression, trauma and systemic inequities disconnect us from our bodies as a way to survive. The practice of embodiment allows us to orient inwards and sense the body from the inside out while organizing towards purposeful actions aligned with visions and values. From this place of embodied awareness we can access more choice that supports personal and collective growth and liberation.

Experience

I am a devoted student of somatics, vipassana meditation and yoga. I extend my deepest gratitudes to these traditions and the lineages from which my practice draws inspiration. I completed a 250 hour Yoga Teacher Training program with Yoga Tree Studios and studied under the guidance of Jason Lu and Ali Alexander. This teacher training was informed by Ashtanga and Hatha Traditions. I also completed Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Training with Sara Kinsley and Restorative Yoga and Somatics Teacher Training with Kim McBean and Indu Vashist. I teach embodied yoga classes at Parliament Street Fitness and formerly with Yoga Tree.

Image credit: Vika Vine

My yoga and embodiment practices have also been influenced by the teachings of Sara Clark, Staci Haines, Resmaa Menakem, Kai Cheng Thom, Peter Levine, Jessamyn Stanley, Linda Thai, and Jane Clapp.

My Approach

  • Accessible

    I bring a warm, attentive, compassionate, and lighthearted energy to class emphasizing each person's right to choose and sense into what feels best for their body. My classes are considerate of the intersectional needs and abilities of all students participating.

  • Embodied

    You will be invited to deepen self inquiry in the spirit of personal and collective safety, dignity and belonging. Each practice supports you in opening the mind, body and spirit through asana (shapes), pranayama (life force breath), and dhyana (meditation).

  • Individual and Group Classes

    I offer a variety of supportive and customizable individual and group classes informed by Hatha and Ashtanga yoga traditions. Some areas of focus may include: trauma-informed yoga, beginners yoga, restorative yoga, embodied yoga and flow.

  • Individual Embodied Movement

     Brief Consultation (15 min): FREE

    60 minute individual embodied movement $100 + HST

  • Group Class Rate

    Brief Consultation (15 mins): FREE

    60 minute group embodied movement: $150 + HST