A simple approach to finding a neutral pelvis is to experiment with the anterior and posterior tilting of the pelvis in relationship to the bony landmarks to find the place in the centre.

These landmarks are incredibly useful in bringing awareness to a vital and yet vulnerable part of the body that we often ignore. Even though we spend so much time sitting on our bum, what we do with our pelvis and pelvic floor are often only brought to our attention when we are experiencing pain or discomfort.

From the bony landmarks, we can begin to explore the intrinsic movement of breath within the inner body, in particular the relationship between the ribcage and the pelvis.

Our respiratory diaphragm sits just beneath the ribs. The heart and lungs rest above the respiratory diaphragm, and our internal organs are below this diaphragm. On the other hand (end), the pelvic floor (also a diaphragm) supports the weight of our internal organs, in addition to sexual and elimination functions.

The respiratory diaphragm and the pelvic diaphragm is actually one continuous integrated “being” that modulates our life force! Their ability to move in resonance with each other is important in the healthy and intricate functioning of all our biological processes, such as oxygenation, circulation, motility of organs, digestive and reproductive processes etc.

Creating an embodied awareness on the symbiotic relationship of the intrinsic rhythm of our breath pulsating through the different diaphragms will not only create optimal alignment and ease in the way we move, sit, stand, walk, but also help regulate our nervous system, return us back to health, and cultivate a sense of grounding and safety.

The post The neutral pelvis as an embodiment PROCESS, rather than just a shape or a form appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

There is so much jargon on ‘correctness’ of our postures and alignment in the modern yoga world, where we should place our hands and feet and rotate shoulders and turn pelvis and engage our core to somehow conform to a set of universal rules to make our yoga body Instagram-worthy, or to fulfil some teacher’s perception of what is ‘right’.

But as I delved deeper into understanding my own body, making sense of habits and patterns intrinsic to my genetic make-up, lifestyle and conditioning, I’ve discovered a whole new terrain in uncovering movement patterns that are simply unique blueprints of our being, honouring who we are as individuals, and melding into the universal sentience that is already within our innate consciousness.

As a movement teacher and therapist, I wish to facilitate, encourage, allow, and most importantly, not obstruct the flow of deep, self-manifested movement patterns to rise up from within, creating the space for inquiry, for practitioners to re-discover their own strength, balance and healing – Our moment-to-moment perfect existence, a.k.a. alignment.

“To unleash our life force, maybe even change our course, we can choose to consciously turn towards the brilliance of intelligent life. Unguided, self-movement (which is not directed by anyone) bubbling up from deep within is elemental for becoming integral. Valuing how intrinsic this self-movement is for supporting our quality of life, we can look no further than the river. Like the river, we too are part of a larger earth and cosmic life force. We are not inanimate (body objects) lacking perception and volition. We cannot achieve good posture by simply correcting, stabilizing, or objectifying. Rather being human, we must become flowing expressions, animated by the movement of the inner sea, the underground springs, and the outer planets…fluid, dynamic, ever changing, a life force… if you will.”

~ Liz Koch on Core Awareness

The post We are all unique appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

4 years have passed since you stepped into the light.

The waves of grief no longer carry the weight of a Tsunami,
Sometimes it’s still stormy and sobering
Sometimes it’s a gentle reminder of ebb and flow, of change, of being alive.

4 years can feel like 40 years, or 4 months, or 4 days, or 4 seconds
Somedays I still feel the warmth of your embrace, the tickle of your laughter, the purity of your love
Somedays I still feel your pain, your longings, your strife and your despair, of not being heard, witnessed, understood.

4 years since you closed your eyes and we closed the door
4 years of trying to make sense of who was the one bidding farewell
4 years of walking amidst the shadows of my monsters, of not being able to say I love you once more.

4 years but the time has never been gone
Your hand is always holding mine
As you gently whisper…

Let there be no darkness in your heart.

#griefandexpansion

The post Dear Papa appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

Exploring the tensegrity structure of our body’s myofascial system;

Exploring moving from the midline and the fluid spine;

Working with partners in exploring symbiotic relationship between motoring and sensing through our nervous system

This course delves deep into experential learning and embodiment through exploring the body-mind connection in physiology, processes, and self-inquiry.

Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming training dates!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We concluded the Somatic Applications in Polyvagal Theory training course 2 weeks ago @yicsingapore. An amazing 6 days of self-inquiry, somatic explorations, connecting with play and heartfelt exchanges. We learn how to track our nervous system through honing our sensory awareness, and also our ability to observe state shifts. Through experiential anatomy and the understanding of our physiology, we come into embodiment with our embody our relationships to self, to other, to our community, to our inner being and outer environment.

I’ve been facilitating this particular course for several runs now since my return to Singapore. And every intake brings its own unique tinge. Each time my mind is blown by the curiosity, presence, and openness of the participants.

I feel deeply privileged to be able to guide this work, and immensely grateful to have crossed paths with 11 brilliant minds and beautiful souls in this run!

May the seeds planted during the course sprout, and blossom in divine time 🌱

#nervousystem #polyvagaltheory #homeostasis #mindbody #yogawithdaphne #somatictherapy #somatictherapyasia #somaticswithdaphne #somaticyoga #somaticssg #somaticssingapore #yogasg #sgyogis #resilience #yogatherapist #yogatherapy #neuroplasticity #nervoussystemreset #sgbodywork #somaticbodywork #somatictherapytraining #yogatherapy #yogattc #therapeuticyoga

The post Post TTC thoughts appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

I’ve been facilitating this particular course for several runs now since my return to Singapore. And every intake brings its own unique tinge. Each time my mind is blown by the curiosity, presence, and openness of the participants.

I feel deeply privileged to be able to guide this work, and immensely grateful to have crossed paths with 11 brilliant minds and beautiful souls in this run!

May the seeds planted during the course sprout, and blossom in divine time 🌱

#nervousystem #polyvagaltheory #homeostasis #mindbody #yogawithdaphne #somatictherapy #somatictherapyasia #somaticswithdaphne #somaticyoga #somaticssg #somaticssingapore #yogasg #sgyogis #resilience #yogatherapist #yogatherapy #neuroplasticity #nervoussystemreset #sgbodywork #somaticbodywork #somatictherapytraining #yogatherapy #yogattc #therapeuticyoga

The post Post TTC Thoughts appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

Join me in this upcoming somatic movement & creative embodiment event for a nervous system reset. The half day retreat is a chance for you to rest your nervous system, and to reconnect with self and others through deep inquiry practices.

Somatic movement therapy is an accessible practice for anyone looking for a meaningful reset to the body-mind. Tap into the wisdom of the body through gentle guided movements, visualisations and breath work to hone your sensory awareness. Journey into a parasympathetic state of intuition, deep rest and connection.

This day retreat will allow us to tune into our deeper awareness and subconscious. As we learn to listen to our being at a cellular level, our nervous system moves into homeostasis to restore health, as well as create space for openness and curiosity.

Come alongside me in this day retreat for intelligent movement, mindful rest and a nervous system tune-up. This is a day retreat that is for anyone and everyone who has felt tired, fatigued and in need of a mood boost and nervous system reset.

This deeply nurturing retreat also includes yummy delights and sunset refreshments shared over joyful mingle 🥰🍹

~ Details ~

Sunday, September 18th 2022
2pm – 7pm
$250 (Early bird, usual price $280)

Registration & Inquiries ~ hello@trapezerec.club or text us at 9296 4927

Looking forward to meet all of you ❤️

*Note that minimum number of participants is required for this event.

#nervousystem #polyvagaltheory #homeostasis #mindbody #yogawithdaphne #somatictherapy #somatictherapyasia #somaticswithdaphne #somaticyoga #somaticssg #somaticssingapore #yogaretreat #yogasingapore #nurtureyourself #somatictherapy #somaticmovement #yogatherapy #yogatherapyretreat #heal #nervoussystemhealth #wellbeing #yogaandsomatics #wellnessretreatsingapore #wellnessjourney #wellnessthatworks #retreat

The post Nurture & Nourish Retreat appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

It was said that grief changes our world by adding a hue of grey to our lens in which we perceive reality.

Though I would argue that grief has wiped the various layers of hues off of the life I thought I should be living. It has made the impossible possible. Turned chaos into clarity. Rage into forgiveness. Wonton living into conscious grit to move beyond my own limited narrative.

Grief has allowed me to see through old storylines about my relationships with my family, my work, money, my sexuality and my self worth.

2 years ago I came back to Singapore so I could mourn.

And in this time I’ve come to understand the man that he was, is more than I’ve ever known before.

In ways that words cannot express, he’s never left. He’s very much alive, embodied in my cellular imprint – in his strife, his pain, his broken dreams… but also in his optimism, his earnestness towards life, his resilience, his porousness to emotions, his unbridled joyfulness and unconditional presence to people around him.

So Happy 75th Birthday Papa! In so many ways we are still creating memories with you and sharing our love. Your legacy lives on in the work we do for each other in the family, and in how we want to show up each day to the world. May you rest in this knowing ❤️

The post May 3rd, 2022 appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

Skin serves as our boundary between self and other.

Our skin is our armour and shield against the world.

As it is porous to what can infiltrate and absorb.

Movement and touch are like the Yin & Yang of our skin.

Movement touches the skin from the inside out.

Touch moves the skin from the outside in.

From the universe within, to the macrocosm without.

Beneath and beyond.

Skin is both the Unifier and the Segregator.

Who do we welcome, and who do we reject?

The skin does not lie.

Are we braced tightly upright bound by its borders?

Frozen ropes wrapped around our organs.

Or loosely in a puddle, a sludgy strife against our pain.

Can our skin yield without hesitation?

To the support of gravity.

To be held in the spaciousness of life.

To be welcome in the container in which no one comes before you.

To belong in … our skin.

• • • • • • • •

DO YOU KNOW?

Our skin and our brain arises from the same germ layer in embryology.

Skin is our brain turned inside out.

Skin is the conduit between our nervous system and the outside world.

Skin is the barometer that reflects our relationship with our self, and the environment we are in.

Our lymphatic system also follows the veins along the skin of our periphery, and culminates in the mid section of the body – forming an integral part of our immune system.

Most rashes, hives, eczema, and skin conditions follow these lymph / nerve tracks.

Taking care of our skin, and paying attention to the different qualities of our skin in different areas of the body can help to improve our immune function, regulate our nervous system, and retain suppleness of our skin.

The post The Skin appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

Join me in this upcoming somatic workshop series for a nervous system reset, as well as to reconnect with self and others through creative embodiment practices.

Somatic movement therapy is an accessible practice for anyone looking for a meaningful reset to the body-mind. Tap into the wisdom of the body through gentle guided movements, visualisations and breath work to hone your sensory awareness. Journey into a parasympathetic state of intuition, deep rest and connection.

Each session in this series of 2 will begin with a movement practice to tune into our deeper awareness and subconscious. As we learn to listen to our being at a cellular level, our nervous system moves into homeostasis to restore health, as well as create space for openness and curiosity. We can harness the power of deep listening to take stock of who and where we are, what we want to let go and nurture – through the simple practice of journaling and dialoguing.

This series of 2 can be taken in tandem or individually.

~ Details ~
Saturday March 5 & 12
2.30 – 4.30pm
Yoga In Common Singapore
$45 per class or $80 for both
Studio pass holders may pay 2 classes per session

Click link in bio to register.

The post Nurture & Nourish Embodiment Workshop appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

For this final class, we tap into more movement sequences (expansion, contraction, spiral movements) to help guide us towards a deeper sensing of our navel space. The navel space, which as mentioned in the previous 2 classes, lies at the centre of intrinsic and extrinsic movement. We also explore how this navel centre, on a macro level, can be extended to the idea of a bigger source – the earth’s centre. The class ends with exploratory movement and a short restorative exercise.
When we are able to move in an embodied manner from our navel centre, we will find greater grounding, ease, connectedness and a sense of being.
​
Props required:

• 1 yoga mat
• 1 pair of socks
• 1 weighted ball (or water bottle)
• 1 cushion (or bolster)
• 1 blanket

This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on December 24th 2021.

The post Somatic Workshop Series: Navel Radiation (3/3) appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.