Chair Yoga on a Tuesday morning is now closed until September
“There’s just something about somatic yoga that speaks to my mind and body like no other yoga practice.”
Student - Wednesday Zoom Class
WHAT DOES HATHA AND SOMATIC YOGA MEAN?
Hatha and Gentle Somatic Yoga are terms used to describe the different "styles" of yoga that I incorporate into my classes.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga has its origins in India. The word Hatha can be translated as "force" but also as "gentle". It is a non-denominational form of practice (so you don't have to be a Hindu or Buddhist to do it)and it aims to create balance in the body and mind. Hatha yoga classes involve a combination of gentle asana (movements or postures), breathing techniques and relaxation or meditation practices. These work together to release physical tensions and promote mental calm.
Gentle Somatic Yoga.
Gentle Somatic Yoga as developed by James Knight follows the research and practices of Thomas Hanna and Moshe Feldenkrais. It works to help us reconnect to the body via the central nervous system. We all have different “patterns “ of movement and these generally begin as something really useful but sometimes we repeat a movement so often it becomes a habit and that can be less helpful. Think about always carrying a bag on the same shoulder and how over time you might start to hold that shoulder a little lower and you might get a bit of tightness in the waist as the rib cage is consistently drawn closer to the pelvis on that side. Do it often enough and it drops out of your conscious awareness. You don’t even notice it anymore.
Somatic Yoga helps put you back in touch with your body from the inside out. We start to pay attention to our patterns and address them using gentle movements and Yoga asana done slowly and with focus so we can regain control and start to access the areas that are holding tension. Movement becomes easier and more fluid and we may even improve our mobility.
My classes are a fusion of both of these elements.
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