Explore the benefits of somatic yoga and learn techniques for relaxation and healing.
Discover how somatic yoga can transform your practice.
We asked two veteran teachers to explain, and to share the benefits of this unique practice.
Okay, seriously, what is somatic yoga?
But in somatic yoga, its often not so muchwhatyoure doing thats unique, buthowyoure doing it.
Theres no right way that a posture needs to look, Menechyan says.
a Los Angeles-based teacher specializing in yoga therapy and somatic practices and founder ofPür Joy
Its not focused on stretching
For some people, yoga is basically synonymous with stretching.
But in somatic yoga, we dont stretch, Flynn says.
Do it in your imagination, she says.
Somatic yoga encourages moving within a range thats comfortable for your body.
Reengaging dormant muscles
Most of us have places where we carry sensory motor amnesia, Flynn says.
You lose the sense of what a muscle feels like or what it does.
Somatic yoga helps to reengage and reset those muscles, she says.
Flynn likens the idea of integrating your mind and body to having a sixth sense.
When you have the ability to internally monitor, you have the ability to self-regulate and self-heal.
a Los Angeles-based teacher specializing in yoga therapy and somatic practices and founder ofPür Joy
But you wont stay activatedyoull reset.
(Check out thesesomatic exercises for depression.)
Shoulder lift
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TIP
The first time you do it, you may feel like you cant control it, Flynn says.
But the next time, itll be a little smoother.
Take a moment afterward to notice any new sensations.
Lying twist
When youre finished, pause and see what internal sensory information you notice, Flynn says.
Tree pose (Vrikshasana)
4.
Cobra pose (Bhujangasana)
5.
You get to determine whats the right version for you.
Or anyone who needs slowing down, he says.
And I think thats a lot of people right now.
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