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.

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!

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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

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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

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I’m more than delighted to be facilitating an embodied anatomy workshop: Somatic Experiences & Embodiment in Dance & Movement at the upcoming 12.ance Festival in collaboration with @sigmacontemporarydance

This workshop will be happening on 4 December, Sunday @sigmacontemporarydance , 1.30pm – 4pm ☺️

All are welcome to join this workshop, regardless of whether you have a dance background or not.

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Somatic Experiences & Embodiment in Dance & Movement:

Movement is more than just mindless motion.

When we are awake and attentive, movement is our way of connecting to the world within and around us. When we move with awareness, we are open to the most naunced of sensations that can guide us with more alignment and grace. Intelligent movement leads to the integration of body, mind and spirit, so that dancing can become a sustainable and functional art form.

Inspired by the work of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, founder of Body Mind Centering, @yogadaphne will facilitate an embodied anatomy workshop, exploring the innate patterns of movement to uncover the body as an integrated system.

Somatic principles And Embodiment in Dance and Movement
By Daphne Chua (All levels)
4 Dec, Sun / 1.30 – 4pm
@sigmacospace

Whether you have prior dance background or none at all, you are welcome to join this workshop.

More details:
http://sigmadance.co/12ance

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Daphne helps people of all ages rehabilitate injuries, regain neuromotor functions, manage chronic pain, and work through trauma. She also creates holistic therapeutic trainings and mentorship programs for individuals, movement teachers, fitness instructors, healthcare and coporate professionals.

She applies principles of kinesiology, embodied anatomy & physiology through somatics, evidence-based research on the nervous system, trauma physiology, as well as traditional yoga philosophy into her work.

#12ancefestivalsg #12ance2022 #sgdanceartists #dancers #dancesg #dance #contemporarydance #dancefestival #danceclasses #somaticpractice #embodiment #movementpractice #inthespiritofdance #nervousystem #homeostasis #mindbody #yogawithdaphne #somatictherapy #somaticssg #contactimprov

The post @12.ance : A Collaboration appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

Props required:

• 1 yoga mat
• 1 blanket (optional)
• 1 soft squishy ball / roller (optional)

The post Nervous System Workshop 2/2 appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

In the first out of two workshops on the nervous system, we bring our focus back to the pelvis. The pelvic diaphragm works with the respiratory diaphragm to contain and support healthy functioning of all of our organs in the body, particularly in the areas of digestion, elimination, and sexual function. The vagus nerve – which is instrumental to restoring balance to our body and nervous system – passes through all these organs. Through the afferent nerve network of the Vagus nerve, information from the body travels back to the brain. By bringing awareness to the pelvis through interoceptive movement and proprioception, we allow the nervous system to respond with a baseline of the parasympathetic tone of safety and spaciousness. This in turn resets our gut motility and opens up the breath to regulate our nervous system.

The workshop begins with pelvic clock exercises, followed by movement explorations that create activation from a sense of grounding, specifically movement sequences that radiate bi-directionally from the pelvis through the transverse plane – lower half to upper half of our body to the lungs, heart and head. We also engage in movement explorations from the feet too, as well as play with balance and sound.

Props required:

• 1 yoga mat
• 1 blanket
• 1 strap (or scarf/belt)
• 1 soft squishy ball (or 1 pair of socks)

The post Nervous System Workshop 1/2 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.

In the first class of the reating safety workshop, we explore a series of exercises and 3-dimensional movement from head to toe to build body awareness and a sense of felt safety. We also explore the use of weight, breath, and support of gravity.
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Props required:

• 1 Yoga Mat
• 2 Blankets
  . . . . . . . .

In the weeks leading up, I’ll be sharing a free somatic class weekly via my youtube channel. These classes were conducted last year through zoom. May these videos provide a weekly mind-body reset, room for your curious explorations and comfort in these uncertain times. If you would like to find out more about somatic work, feel free to write in to me too.

This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on November 19th 2021.

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​Being connected with the body means that our actions are not driven purely by intellectual cognition and our reality is informed by more than what the forebrain tells us. It is our ability to hold the dichotomy of both bottom-up and top-down perspectives… the polarities of what’s within and what’s outside of ourselves. Coming into this relational field helps us recognise connection, cultivate empathy. and embody the wisdom of impermanence. We learn to let go of belief systems that shackle us, and open our curiosity to phenomenons that may fall outside our comfort zone.⁣⁣
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Learn more about connection to the body. Join me in my next Trauma-informed Somatic Therapy & Bodywork Training⁣⁣
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31 May to 9 June⁣⁣
Early Bird Promo ends today 2nd May!⁣⁣
DM me for details or email to daphne@somatictherapy.asia for more details

This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on May 2nd 2021.

The post Connected to the body? appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

Could the tightness that you’re feeling in your back be caused by your organs sitting in the front of the body?⁣⁣
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When our body isn’t able to provide a conducive environment for the organs and gut tube to function and move optimally in relationship with one another, they are not able to yield into the support of gravity. ⁣This can also happen when our nervous system can’t get into the rest and digest mode. ⁣Our organs become sticky, frozen, inanimate, braced. ⁣And they sit at the front of the abdominal cavity and pull into our lower back.⁣⁣
This might cause our whole body to come into a holding pattern of bracing against gravity.⁣⁣
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Creating more thoracic mobility and releasing the pelvic floor helps to bring the respiratory and pelvic diaphragms back into resonance.⁣⁣
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⁣Want to know more? Join me at my next Somatic Movement & Therapy Training on Polyvagal Theory in Somatic Applications. Happening 31 May to 9 June. ⁣

This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on April 23rd 2021.
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