

What is Somatic Coaching and Somatic movement?
What is Somatic coaching?
Somatic coaching for ADHD and Autism involves a holistic approach that integrates body awareness, movement, and mindfulness techniques to support individuals in managing the challenges associated with these neurodivergent conditions. The focus is on enhancing self-awareness, self-regulation, and overall well-being through a mind-body connection.
Key aspects of somatic coaching for ADHD and Autism include:
1. Body Awareness
Promoting awareness of bodily sensations, movements, and postures to foster a deeper connection with oneself.
2. Mindfulness Techniques
Incorporating mindfulness practices to help individuals stay present, manage stress, and enhance attention and focus.
3. Sensory Integration
Addressing sensory sensitivities and exploring techniques to manage sensory experiences for improved comfort and functioning.
4. Emotional Regulation
Developing strategies to navigate and regulate emotions, providing tools for individuals to better understand and manage their emotional responses.
5. Movement and Expression
Using movement as a means of expression and a tool for self-regulation, allowing individuals to explore and understand their unique ways of moving.
6. Trauma-Informed Approach
Recognising the impact of past experiences and incorporating trauma-informed principles to create a safe and supportive coaching environment.
Somatic coaching acknowledges the interconnectedness of the mind and body, recognising that physical experiences can profoundly influence mental well-being. By integrating somatic approaches into coaching sessions, individuals with ADHD and Autism may find support in developing coping mechanisms, improving self-esteem, and enhancing overall life satisfaction.
What is a somatic movement as medicine class?
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We use a holistic approach to well-being that integrates various movement practices, including dance, somatic tapping and shaking, Qigong, and yoga. Here's a breakdown of each element and how it can benefit you:
1. Dance
Movement through dance allows for self-expression, promoting emotional release and stress reduction. It enhances body awareness, coordination, and flexibility, contributing to a sense of joy and vitality.
2. Somatic Tapping and Shaking
These practices focus on releasing tension and stored trauma in the body. Tapping and shaking can activate the body's natural ability to discharge stress, promoting relaxation and reducing physical and emotional constriction.
3. Qigong
Qigong involves gentle, flowing movements coordinated with deep breathing. It aims to balance the body's vital energy, or "qi." Qigong can enhance flexibility, reduce stress, and promote a sense of calm and feeling centred.
4. Yoga
Yoga integrates breath, movement, and mindfulness, fostering flexibility, strength, and balance. It promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and improves overall well-being by connecting the mind and body.
How can Somatic Movement support you?
1. Stress Reduction:
The combination of these practices encourages the release of physical and emotional tension, providing a natural way to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
2. Emotional Well-being:
Movement practices like dance and somatic tapping and shaking offer a cathartic outlet, supporting emotional expression and contributing to a positive mental state.
3. Physical Flexibility and Strength:
Qigong, yoga, and dance contribute to improved flexibility, strength, and overall physical well-being, enhancing your body's resilience.
4. Mind-Body Connection:
Somatic practices emphasise the connection between the mind and body, promoting greater awareness and integration. This holistic approach can lead to a sense of balance and harmony.
5. Trauma Release:
Somatic tapping, shaking, and mindful movement can assist in releasing stored trauma from the body, offering a therapeutic outlet for those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma.
6. Self-Exploration:
These classes provide a safe space for self-exploration and self-discovery through movement, fostering a deeper understanding of your body and emotions.
In summary, a Somatic Movement as Medicine class offers a holistic and integrative approach to well-being, encompassing physical, emotional, and mental aspects. It can be a powerful tool for stress reduction, emotional release, and fostering overall vitality. As with any movement practice, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting if you have any health concerns.
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Why practice somatics?
Regular practice of somatic movement can help:
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Headaches & migraines
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Arthritis
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Joint pain
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Chronic lower back pain
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Stiff neck & shoulders
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Sciatica
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Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disfunction
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Fibromyalgia
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Hip pain
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Sports injuries
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Postural habits
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Recovery from illness and injury
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Insomnia
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Pain management
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Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression
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Pregnancy and postnatal recovery
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As well as promoting ease of movement, improved range of movement, relieve general stiffness and tension, and maintaining health and wellbeing.
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Why join a somatic movement as medicine class?
Welcome to our Somatic Movement as Medicine class, curated with therapists, healers, and caregivers in mind.
Designed to address the unique needs of those who understand the depth of emotional well-being.
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1. Emotional Release
A dedicated space for therapists, healers, and caregivers to release and replenish, prioritising their own emotional well-being.
2. Safe Haven
Explore and release without the responsibility of facilitating others, providing a supportive environment exclusively for personal healing.
3. Energy Renewal
Prevent burnout with somatic practices as a vital outlet for energy renewal, offering a valuable opportunity to recharge.
4. Lightness and Brightness
Focus on letting go contributes to a sense of lightness and brightness, fostering a positive and rejuvenated mindset.
5. Mindful Reconnection
Somatic movement practices facilitate a mindful reconnection with the body, allowing for tuning into personal physical and emotional needs.
6. Holistic Well-being
Support a holistic approach to well-being, addressing both physical and emotional aspects crucial for those in caregiving roles.
7. Self-Care Ritual
Your participation becomes a meaningful self-care ritual, emphasising the importance of prioritising personal emotional and physical health.
8. Trauma-Informed Healing
Especially beneficial for those working with trauma, offering a valuable tool for personal healing, recognising the interconnectedness of body and mind.
Join us for this transformative and replenishing experience, nurturing overall well-being and resilience. Recognise the unique challenges and importance of your role as a therapist, healer, or caregiver.
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What is pandiculation?
Pandiculation is a process of slow, conscious movements - teaching the brain and body how to release chronic tension and how to move more naturally and effectively, helping to prevent stress and damage to the body. Most animals in the vertebrate kingdom engage in this process. When an animal yawns (breaths deeply), they tense and then stretch their full body. It is this movement which is known as pandiculation. This process of tensing and then slowly releasing encourages the brain to communicate with the body, and through this communication the brain registers the presence of the muscles and learns to "switch them on and off" more efficiently, making it easier for us to use, and relax, our bodies.
What is Sensory Motor Amnesia?
Over time, when your body gets used to staying in a pattern, for example, sat at a desk all day, your core muscles learn to become permanently contracted. Previously it was thought that the core needed strengthening. It has now been discovered that in fact it actually because your muscles are permanently contracting and become weak as a result of overuse. Sensory-motor amnesia occurs when the brain is constantly sending a message to your muscles to keep them in contraction or protection mode. Hence the word amnesia, your brain has forgotten to send the message ‘relax’ to the muscles.
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Use of art
Using art and creativity in a therapeutic way can provide a proactive and empathetic outlet for emotional support at times when words are difficult to express. Without being required to be 'good' at art, the concept instead is to simply use art and creativity in the most accessible and simple way to create healthy outlets for young people to express themselves and gain insight into their inner emotional world. The objective is simply to observe without analysis or judgement. This can encourage a natural unfolding and acceptance of what is arising within them and a deeper self-understanding and appreciation of their own uniqueness.

Use of sound
The practice of kirtan is an ancient yogic practice with a new evidence base supporting many psychological benefits. It is an active meditation which makes it much more accessible than formal sitting meditation, which can in some cases be re-triggering. Through singing and repeating words, phrases, or syllables, your mind focuses on the sound and stops your normal train of thought, thus clearing your mind. The benefits are endless, including:
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reduces depression
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improves memory
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better sleep
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relieves chronic pain
