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  • My Yoga Journey
  • Connect
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • My Yoga Journey
    • About Me
  • Virtual Yoga Classes
  • Connect
    • Press
      • Media Kit
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    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

What is somatic yoga and why you should try it!

June 14, 2022 //  by Di Hickman//  Leave a Comment

So quite often I get told that my way of teaching yoga is “different”, and my answer is that I teach somatic yoga. This leads to the question “what is somatic yoga?”. And that’s the question we’re going to dive into today and discuss in a nutshell the difference. Learning about using somatics in my yoga practice years ago was a game-changer in my own body and I hope you see and feel the benefits too!

If you can’t view the embedded video above, you can view the video on YouTube. Maybe add it to a playlist? Above all, remember to subscribe to my channel. New videos are uploaded regularly. However, for exclusive longer format videos sign up for my Patreon community. Each month we explore poses, transitions, and trouble areas. Patrons also get early access to all my videos, along with lots of other benefits. You join today for as little as $1 a month

So what is somatic yoga?

When we think about somatics as it relates to yoga we’re talking about sending our practice inwards to notice the body and reeducate the nervous system. The problem really is that the typical body now is holding onto trauma which is affecting the way we move, and our posture and then subsequently causing more trauma and often, pain.

Many pain management modalities, like massage and chiropractors, use outside force to help alleviate pain. But, they often treat the symptoms and not the underlying cause. That’s where somatics come in. YOU are doing the movement and rehabilitation exerciss. Through deeply connecting to our body and noticing our bodies.

  • How is your body feeling?
  • What is it’s connection to the floor?
  • Is there a difference in the range of movement?
  • Do you feel one side is more flexible?
  • Or Stronger?
  • Is the difference more control on one side?
  • What can you feel?

We do somatic yoga through small, slow, conscious movement patterns. Through noticing our bodies, the difference we feel in somatics transfers to yoga poses. Realizing that we should focus on how we FEEL in a pose, rather than the aesthetics of what it LOOKS like.

So what is somatic yoga? It’s a journey of going inwards to notice your body, how it moves, and what you need to work on BEFORE your yoga asana practice. In order to move better, feel better, reduce pain and live a happier healthier life! Want to try it? You can find all my somatic yoga classes here.

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what is somatic yoga?

Want more?

If you’re looking for real yoga for real bodies, consider joining my Patreon. Each month I release two yoga classes exclusively for my Patreon community. On the other hand, other ways to find more yoga with me are signing up for my 7-day yoga challenge, or subscribing to my YouTube channel. Remember you can get your reminder to practice more with my “do more yoga” t-shirt.

Questions

  • Have you heard of somatics?
  • Do you put somatic exercises in your movement practice?
  • Are you slow and mindful in your yoga practice?
Previous Post: « Somatic Yoga for Lower Back Pain 20-Min Class
Next Post: Yoga for Fun Somatic Twist – Uncovering a New Way of Twisting »

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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