“If your body could speak,
what would it say?”
Daria Halprin
What is Somatic Movement?
The Soma is defined as “the living organism in its wholeness.”
Somatic Movement, is movement which is performed consciously with the intention of focusing on the internal experience of the movement rather than the external appearance or result of the movement.
It is a holistic, body-centred therapeutic approach that invites us to turn our gaze inwards and explore our personal and cultural histories, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual landscapes, as well as the way we relate to others from within our skins.
Somatic movement enables us to become aware of the sensations that are alive within our bodies, where and when they tend to arise, and lays the foundation for the exploration of why they are present. It allows us to move with our experiences to be able to release and transform all that no longer serves us.
Somatic movement supports the development of our emotional intelligence, stimulates change, empowers us to rewrite our narratives & call more love into our lives.
What is the Tamalpa Life Art Process?
The Tamalpa Life-Art Process® developed at the Tamalpa Institute in California, is a multi-modal approach that explores the wisdom of the body expressed through movement/ dance and imagination. We use embodiment, artistic processes, somatics and media to explore and deepen our relationship to psychological life, to social issues and to creativity its self.
How do we work with the body?
The foundation of the Tamalpa Art/Life Process® is based on a view of the body and movement. The body holds our entire life experience.
We understand movement as the body’s primary language. For us, movement is synonymous with life. Movement is personality and soul made visible, and dance is body, feelings, and imagination in motion.
We believe that movement/dance is a way for all people to live a more embodied and creative life – one that fosters healing and social transformation. Movement and dance are ways to express the full range of human emotion and to connect, deeply and authentically, to our truest selves.
What are the benefits of the Tamalpa Life Art Process?
Develops creative expression
Awakens the powerful connection between mind and body
Deepens physical, emotional and mental awareness
Teaches effective non-violent communication skills, creative problem solving and embodied leadership
Provides tools to navigate life’s challenges
Offers methods for facilitating organisational change
Changes habitual patterns of response
Increased sense of health and wellbeing
Reduces stress and provides physical, emotional and mental stress management tools
What does a 1:1 Somatic Movement Coaching session look like?
Our journey will begin with a check in where you will be invited to share the themes/ life experiences/ sensations are alive for you now, your intention and what you would like to work with creatively within your coaching session. This will also be an opportunity for you identify how you would like to improve your emotional and mental health.
We will then move into a 20 - 30-minute movement/expressive arts exploration based on your intention for the session. This exploration may also involve supportive music, additional breathwork, intuitive movement and guided active touch exercises.
We will then move into a period of harvesting. Here you will have some time to reflect on what you have discovered, where you are now and where you are going next.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person and is dependant on your intentions and what is alive for you.
Some people book one off 1:1 sessions when they are dealing with a particular challenge
Some book quarterly 1:1 sessions to check in with themselves throughout the year
Some choose to book a 3 month deep dive package (one session a month) to gain continuous support through a particular challenge. These participants are able to build on the momentum of each session and are witnessed over as longer period as they invite change into their lives.
Others prefer to attend group sessions to explore what is alive within them in community.
If you have any questions about the Somatic Movement Coaching Sessions please do not hesitate to get in touch or book an alignment call.