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.

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

_

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.

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.

At certain points in our lives, we are bound to experience some form of pain. Chronic pain can become too familiar, and it is easy to fall into the trap of identifying with the state itself – we may even begin to despise the pain, and play the victim.

I share a little on the ability to shift perspectives when we create a relationship with pain. A relationship in which we get curious about our pain, viewing it as a supportive messenger towards greater well-being.

To watch the full conversation, head over to https://youtu.be/id-nm-jN5MA

pain #relationshipwithpain #painasamessenger #curiosity #podcast #journey #stories #experience #nervousystem #polyvagaltheory #homeostasis #mindbody #yogawithdaphne #somatictherapy #somatictherapyasia #somaticswithdaphne #somaticyoga #somaticssg #somaticssingapore #yogasg #sgyogis #resilience #yogatherapist #yogatherapy #neuroplasticity #nervoussystemreset #sgbodywork #somaticbodywork #somatictherapytraining

The post Conversation with Breaking The Spell – Snippet 4 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.

This is 2 out of 3 classes of the Creating Safety Workshop conducted last year.

This second class of the creating safety workshop starts off with exploring a sense of integration between our individual bodies (the micro), with that of the earth (the macro). We tap into body weight, and the forces of gravity and rebound to find a sense of ease, support and body awareness. I also speak about yielding and collapsing, and how through the somatic exploration exercises, we can strike a healthy symbiotic relationship between these two states. In this sense, yielding would not equate to the over-activation of our nervous system, and collapsing would not equate to the total lapsing or shut down of our nervous systems. The ability of our nervous systems to calibrate and shift itself flexibly between these two states translates to a greater sense of being. We also explore feet work and a somatic play exercise with a chair.
​
Props required:

• 1 yoga mat
• 1 blanket
• 1 yoga block
• 1 weighted ball (or water bottle)
• 1 chair

This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on November 26th 2021.

The post Somatic Workshop Series: Creating Safety (2/3) 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.
​
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.

The post Somatic Workshop Series: Creating Safety (1/3) appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on May 14th 2021.

The post Let’s get real appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.