Yoga + Life: Freedom In Mind + Movement
POST from YOGA + Life
The relationship to our body and the wisdom that it holds is the most important relationship of our life. It teaches us who we are and affects how we relate to ourselves and the world around us. When we learn to listen to our inner compass, it is the ultimate freedom. It gives us a higher perspective and an inner anchor in which to lean into as we navigate our life path.
How do we nurture this relationship? One of the most powerful ways is through a somatic experience of dance and yoga.
SOMATIC MOVEMENT
Somatics is how we perceive our experience of life from the inside by paying attention to sensations. It is the exploratory state of witnessing our internal experience. We all hold unique patterns in our energy system based on our emotional and physical experiences throughout life. These energetic patterns then inform our nervous system which in turn effects our physical body and also the lens in which we experience our outer world. Somatic work helps tune into and unwind these patterns to access our full potential and to help heal and expand. Somatic movement is self-discovery into all parts of ourselves.
In the somatic experience of dance, we focus on the internal experience rather than getting the moves perfect. We practice with choreography and every time we approach it, whether it’s the first time or the 50th time, it is a new experience. This is because of the themes that we build into each session, the meaning we give to each movement and the varied emotional or physical state the participant is in. In addition, the community atmosphere shifts depending on the energy of the group. All of this allows for a deep and unique experience every time. This style invites in self-empowerment, allows for letting go of fear and anxiety and moves us into higher states of love and compassion.
Practicing yoga can often be done from the mind. We can over exert ourselves to get into certain poses or come to the practice with athleticism and physical goals. What we have learned after many years of approaching practice this way is that yoga with that mindset negates everything that it was meant for. Yoga was created to guide us into a somatic experience. It is not about mastering a pose, it is about using body, breath and awareness to transform ourselves through the pose.
Every pose was created to create energy flow into different parts of our system. As we move through the practice in our classes, we unify awareness, body and breath and tune into subtle cueing. We tune our attention to our inner world to awaken within. With practice, we begin to learn the language of the body. We start to recognize the parts of our energy system that may have been disintegrated. We practice the beautiful form of yoga along with the feeling and energy flow of each pose. Through this process we awaken and unfold new parts of ourselves. We begin to remember our inner power
and our inner healer, letting go of protection or contraction we may hold in the body, and let the love that is always present flow through our entire system.
FREEDOM MOVEMENT METHOD
Photos courtesy of Shine Living Community
What we have found so potent is bringing the conscious attention inward through a dance and yoga combination we call the Freedom Movement Method. This method is a somatic experience that combines a specific style of dance and yoga to create healing and transformation as well as strengthening and empowerment throughout the entire emotional, physical and energetic system.
Dance raises the energy in the body towards joy, opening new parts of ourselves as we let go and unwind patterns and stories around our bodies and ourselves. Then we move to the mat. We deepen the breath and we harness the beautiful opening and energy we just created and anchor it into the body. With loving presence, we move that energy through the system to places that are asking for it. One of the things we love most is that when we practice in community, it amplifies the results. To us, this is the true meaning of community.
So how does one get started? The most important ingredient is to get curious as you move your body. Practice becoming a
witness to sensations and learn to trust what wants to happen. Remember it is a practice, like building a muscle, so be patient and keep going. And, if you are called to, move with your community in a safe, inspired and loving space together. The support system feels incredible in these times.
Read the original posts
Originally published in Summer + Fall 2024 issue of Well.
From our humble hearts…
We are Jill & Jessica – the Shine Sisters – your guides to living your shine every day.
With our 40+ years combined experience in certified dance, yoga, reiki and nutrition ~ we are here to build community, empower from within and help you live your best life!