Yoga Evolution

Creating lasting freedom in your body simply and naturally

move without pain

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The Gifts of Freedom in Your Movement

I have to tell you, when I was first introduced to Somatic Movements, I didn’t get it.  I wasn’t ready or maybe I should say my ego wasn’t ready for exploring such slow, small, gentle movements.  Surely I could do faster and more complex movements than this?  Well, the answer is that yes, I could, however I didn’t realize how much I was compensating in order to do those movements.  It was no wonder that I didn’t feel comfortable taking part in a traditional yoga class.  I began to explore answering the questions:

  • What’s moving that should be?
  • What’s moving that shouldn’t be?
  • What isn’t moving that should be?

I am so glad that I was given another opportunity to explore Somatic Movements becoming more deeply aware of sensing and feeling inside myself.  I’m grateful to have my family, teachers, students and colleagues supporting me as I’ve learned more and more about these slow, gentle practices to support my own wellness and the wellness of others.  I don’t know where I’d be physically or emotionally without them.  One does not preclude the other.  When my body is feeling great I feel better emotionally, however, when I’m experiencing pain then I don’t feel well emotionally either – sleep is harder due to discomfort, movement is harder, and it is also hard to accept when I have less freedom to choose what I’d like to do when I am limited by discomfort or pain.

I had a spinal fusion when I was 16.  I found out I had a grade 4 spondilolisthesis after being in a car accident.  What does this mean?  Well, my lowest lumbar vertebra slipped forward greater than 75% on my sacrum.  I had experienced sciatic pain and low back pain from about age 12.  The car accident ended up being a blessing as it revealed this obstacle to health and wellbeing.  Surgery was the only option to stabilize my spine.  In 1982 that meant six weeks of bedrest after surgery.  At age 16 I did not realize how much this affected me emotionally as well.  I had been a very active teenager – softball, volleyball, basketball – they were my life and then I could no longer participate.  

I wish I knew about Clinical Somatic Education and Somatic Movement then. 

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Seeking Comfort & Freedom?

Today I am writing to ask how I can support you in this time of restriction if you are seeking comfort and freedom?

I have felt so much restriction myself through this difficult time and wanted to share with you a few practices and resources I have found to be comforting and freeing for me with you.  I hope they resonate with you as much as they have with me.

I am diving in to ways that support my wellbeing – the above photo is me, yes, in my bathtub!!  Our home doesn’t have a lot natural light coming in during the day.  This corner of our home gets lovely sun in the morning and into the early afternoon so I have been taking advantage of that.  I put some yoga props in the tub to support me, brought in books to read, colouring books to colour, my phone to listen to podcasts, a candle to help make it a sacred space, and my daughter even brought some twinkling lights for the evening when I’m having some quiet time to myself.

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Sharing the Love…

“Alana provides a great Somatics practice in her classes with the added bonus of breathing exercises each class. She is attentive to the individual needs of each of us. I leave feeling more relaxed in my mind, less tension in my body and more energy overall.”… Linda

I love reading how SomaYogis like Linda feel when they leave a Somatic Movement group class. This is why I LOVE sharing the classes!

It is always my intention to provide a class that creates a safe space for each and every participant to have this personal experience.

But how does that happen? Through engaging our sense of Interoception we explore movement that leaves us feeling relaxed and yet more energized.

We can place our attention on:

  • Exteroception which is “what is going on around me?”
  • Proprioception which is “where is my body in this space?” or
  • Interoception which is “What do I sense and feel inside my body?”

Interoception is the focus of the Somatics Practice.

When I am doing my own personal practice, I feel like it is a meditation in itself. I am truly being present and trusting the sensations that are arising in my soma (we each have our first person experience of what we sense and feel as a “soma”) to guide me through my breath and movement practice.

What are the words that may be associated with Interoception in a Somatic Movement practice?

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