I was recently thinking about how our bodies are similar to trees. Say what?
Yes, I was thinking of how the tree loses all of it’s leaves in the fall and lives through the winters that are sometimes long and hard. Then in spring, with nourishment from rain and the warmth of the sun, it begins to produce new growth and reawaken into the brilliance that it becomes in summer. There will be changes throughout the life of the tree and adaptions will occur only to return to it’s brilliance.
At times the body adapts to what is presented to it just as the tree does. That may be as a result of misuse, injury, trauma, physical or emotional stress, surgery or repetitive movement. The body adapts to this new movement pattern, which serves us well in the interim, so that we may complete the things that we have to do each day. However, this is a maladaptive movement pattern which, when it becomes habituated, creates imbalance and no longer serves us.
Once the acute phase of an experience has passed in your recovery, or, if you are continuing with a repetitive movement (texting with your head tilted forward, playing one specific sport, sitting collapsed at a desk or sofa, carrying a heavy purse on one shoulder, you name it…), your body may be held in a posture causing discomfort, tension, pain and/or limited mobility.
You have the ability to Reawaken Your Body’s Brilliance as you nourish it with Somatic Movement. This practice of gentle slow movements, done with conscious awareness, reawakens the intelligence of the nervous system allowing us to flourish as we move with more ease.
“It’s difficult at first to make judgements about these movements. It’s very vague. But as you do these quiet, gentle movements, the image of who you are internally becomes clarified. … Most of us are so attentive to the external world that over a long period of years we develop a kind of blindness – internally – to what’s going on. So that if we are asked to feel what happens in the waist as we pull the hip up, at first it may not be clear that anything is happening. If you are very gentle and very attentive in doing these movements, you will start feeling the precise contours of your movement and range. It’s like coming to know yourself in a way that normally none of us get a chance to know.” Thomas Hanna, founder of Hanna Somatics
New Summer Classes!
I am so excited to be offering summer classes to help provide you with ways to Reawaken Your Body’s Brilliance after long days of gardening, cycling, hiking, and simply playing in the sun.
Somatic Movement classes incorporate breathing exercises, somatic movement and meditation bringing awareness to muscles held in a constant state of contraction. This practice of awareness allows for the muscles to release, relax and find balance improving one’s wellbeing. There will be a focus on different muscle groups for each class… back, hips, shoulders, neck and more… You will receive detailed information on what we practiced after each class to help you develop your home practice.
Tuesdays, July 10-31 (4 classes)
9:30-10:45 am
Montgomery Chiropractic Plus, 4704 Bowness Road NW
$80
Tuesdays, August 14-28 (3 classes)
9:30-10:45 am
Montgomery Chiropractic Plus, 4704 Bowness Road NW
$60
Are you new to Somatic Movements and curious but perhaps a little apprehensive about committing to 4 weeks of classes? Would you like to come and try out the first class without having to commit to all 4 weeks in advance? I’d love to have you join in to explore with us.
Please register here or contact me for further details alana@yogaevolution.ca or 403-620-6486.
1:1 Clinical SomaYoga Therapy Sessions
If you would prefer a one to one setting to address your specific health concerns, you will:Receive a customized program to meet your unique needs
- Explore breathing exercises (did you know if you hold or brace with your breath it restricts your movement?)
- Discover where you may have chronically contracted muscles that your brain has forgotten how to control
- Explore slow and gentle movement to release and relax your muscles
I am passionate in sharing this incredible practice with you!! Choose the option that resonates with you, group or 1:1, to practice self care and improve your wellbeing. I am here for you.
In gratitude and service,
Alana