Movement as Medicine: A Somatic Approach

Healing somatic movement is a method for body and mind integration (also known as embodiment). The practice creates a deep connection with the body and a return to our natural developmental movements. The practices move slowly in a state of deep relaxation. This makes it possible to renew the body’s movement patterns. The movements are both calming and stimulating for the nervous system. This often leads to an experience of relaxation in the body and clarity in the mind.

The softness and gradual learning curve make the practice very flexible. It can be adapted to people of all ages in a wide variety of physical conditions.

You can practice to increase your wellbeing, improve your body awareness, or refine your movement patterns. Or as a moving meditation.

Folks practice for the whole spectrum of reasons - from general wellbeing to working through the barriers tha can stop is from feeling safe and at home in our bodies.

If you're not sure and you have questions about whether this is right for you, feel free to message me.

Meditation, yoga and somatic movement all cultivate awareness, but they do so through different methods.

Meditation often focuses on observing our present moment experience from a place of stillness.

Yoga, traditionally, moves from the outside in, where we have an idea of a posture. The focus is often on aligning the body to fit that 'shape', and through that process, developing strength, flexibility, focus, and inner calm.

Somatic movement moves from the inside out. There’s no pre-set shape you're aiming for. Instead, you’re listening to the body’s impulses, sensations, and needs moment by moment. The body leads, and you follow—moving in ways that might not look like much from the outside, but feel deeply right from within. This helps to cultivate the skill of deep listening and ultimately, a loving self trust.

It can offer a doorway back into presence, helping to discharge stored tension, emotions and stress so we feel safe settling into stillness.

Yoga shapes the body to still the mind; somatic movement listens to the body to free the mind.

Training to become a Healing Somatic Movement Teacher is a wonderful experience and gift - to you and your students/clients.

This Level 1 Teacher Training is designed for yoga and movement teachers, as well as coaches, bodyworkers, and people working in a therapuetic setting looking for new tools to help their students or clients reconnect with their bodies as a place of safety.

You can also consider the training for your own joy and personal development!

The Level 1 training is taken over 2 weekends. The Healing Somatic Movement immersion weekend is your foundation into the power and experience of this healing somatic movement practice. It offers the essential experience, understanding and embodiment we build on during the second Level 1 teacher training weekend which focuses on teaching skills and considerations.

The training and practice is accessible for all ages, body-types and all levels of ability. It's also DELICIOUS, so why wouldn't you?!

Yes you can. You may choose to integrate this learning into your practice or even your field of work.

Absolutely. This training offers a unique approach to teaching somatic movement with clarity, accessibility, and depth. If you want to teach from presence, not just pattern, it will be deeply supportive. It will also give you tools to share with your students and clients to practice on their own, helping them to create a sense of agency - returning them to their own inner wisdom and power.

Yes. The Immersion weekend awards 12 training hours each (24 in total) which are eligible for continuing education (CEP) credits with awarding bodies such as Yoga Alliance and British Wheel.

​On completion of the full training, you will be awarded a '50hr Healing Somatic Movement Level 1 Teaching Certificate'. This will also contribute 50hrs towards your Continued Professional Development (CPD Points) with your awarding body (e.g. BWY, Yoga Alliance, FRYOG, ICF, BACP). If you require a signature or any specific form to be completed, please bring these along to the training weekend.

Yes, for the Immersion Weekends you will be provided with a course manual. This includes theory and considerations for teaching, as well as resources and scripts to help deepen your practice and begin guiding practices with others.

To obtain the 50-hour Teaching Certificate, you need to have attended 100% of the training plus any pre-course reading and project. If this isn't possible, you can receive a Certificate of Attendance for the number of hours attended, or opt to invest in a 'make-up' session. Please book mindfully and plan ahead for this as requests to leave early/arrive late cannot be accommodated. If there is space, it may be possible to attend the day missed when the course is next run. There would be an additional fee and is subject to availability. Please check full T&Cs here before booking.