"Somatic" refers to the focus on and awareness of the body from within the body. It is about the internal experience of the body rather than the outcome. For example you explore the sensations in the body that may result from an emotion, rather than the stories in the head about that emotion.

It means "yogic sleep". It's a guided relaxation technique that involves directing your attention to different parts of your body and being guided through affirmations and visualizations. Rooted in ancient Indian yogic practices, nidra is typically practiced on your back and is said to promote physical and mental well-being, including stress relief and improved sleep.

Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga where poses are held for extended periods. It targets the deep connective tissues, such as fascia rather than the muscles. It encourages you to cultivate introspection and mindfulness as you hold in stillness. The poses also act as a massage into the energetic channels in the body (meridians) to release emotional tension that may be stored there.

In this 90-minute session, you will:

• be guided through a series of passive yin yoga poses held for up to 3-5 minutes that target your deep connective tissues (fascia) which can become tense and disturbed from stress. Our fascia is rich in nerves and sends information through the nervous system so we know what is going on with our body (proprioception). So stimulating fascia can help send the right messages to the brain that the body is safe and can come out of defense mode (like constant worrying).

• experience balancing your nervous system through somatic exercises like tapping, qi gong, breath work and/or meditation. This is a bottom-up approach to working with our body based on the fact that 80% of our neurons transmit information from the body to our brain via the vagus nerve (while 20% are from the brain to the body).

• nurture not only your physical body but also your energetic body as we target emotional tension that can be stored in your body’s energy channels (meridians) with the holds but also cultivate introspection as you observe your thoughts and feelings and develop a meditation practice as you actively interrupt the flow of your day with stillness.

• end the session lying on your back in yogic sleep meditation (nidra) where you will be taken through affirmations, body scans and visualizations that aim to bring your brainwaves into a more relaxed state and release stress and tension.

Whether a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, all are welcome. No prior experience or flexibility or strength required.

If you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant, please consult your health professional first - your safety is priority!

• Comfortable clothing

• A small towel as a pillow under the head for meditation

• An open heart and willingness to unwind and immerse yourself in self-discovery

• Any warm layers (sweater or blanket) to support your practice (optional)

I am a yoga teacher and alchemy crystal bowl practitioner passionate about helping students transform by equipping them with the “why” and empowering them to deepen their mind-body-soul connection. Having started my own healing and well-being journey from tuning inwards with the body, this is the method I bring into my sessions.

Don't worry. I host deep-dive sessions that focus on the targeting the body through the body and the nervous system via yin yoga, nidra and other somatic exercises. Subscribe to my mailing list to be the first to hear when the next session opens up for registration!