Somatic Yoga for Stress Relief

Somatic yoga is about getting out of your head and into your body. There’s nothing to master, no goal to achieve, no defined objective. You are invited to find what feels good in your body, using internal sensations as your guide. For instance, if a certain stretch feels nice, maybe you stay with that stretch longer than what I’m showing in the video. Your sensations may tell you to opt out of doing a pose or movement. Honor your body’s wishes. Your sensations may inform you to slow down the pace or pick up the tempo. Your sensations may communicate a different breathing pattern than what I suggest in the video. By following your sensations, you tailor the practice to meet your individual needs.

In case you’re wondering, “Rachel, what on earth do you mean by sensations?” Here’s a few examples of sensations you may experience: tingly, the rhythm of your heart beat, the feeling of your blood moving through your body, pulsing, ease, openness, lightness, trembling, tension, tightness, hunger, thirst, an emotion, an impulse (to yawn, stretch, sigh, let out an audible sound), tiredness, numbness, pain, comfort, breath, and so on. It’s okay if you’re uncertain about what sensations you’re feeling internally. There’s an invitation to get curious about what you’re feeling or sensing.

This somatic yoga practice includes movements that can help you tap into the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest response). This shift from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest can help improve nervous system resiliency. This practice focuses on releasing emotions that are commonly associated with stress. You may experience an emotional release and a release of physical tension during or by the end of this practice.

It is my hope that this class serves you well.

Sending love and gratitude to you.