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 🌱

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In this final workshop on head tension, we continue to expand on new movement explorations that target the vestibular system, engaging in movements that involve the 3 dimensional planes of the body (front/back, top/bottom, left/right). We will explore different positions of the body in relation to the gravity and space, and play with dynamic balance. In doing so, we delocalise head tension away from the area of our eyes and regulate our nervous system through connecting with our proprioceptive feedback.

Props required:
– 1 yoga mat
– 1 blanket
– 1 yoga block (or book)
– 1 strap (or scarf/belt)

(Note: Due to some technical mishaps, there would be a short pause in the video)

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In this second out of three workshops on head tension, we engage in a series of movement explorations that target the vestibular system. Being able to land and locate through our vestibular feedback helps to regulate our nervous system and thus bring relief to head tension. We learn to delocalise intense sensations by paying attention to the nuances through interoception and safety – tuning into fluids, body rhythm and non-linear movement to facilitate curiosity and a sense of play. We continue to also explore the jaw and eyes to release tension of the cranial sutures.  

Props required:
– 1 yoga mat
– 1 blanket
– 1 yoga block (or book)
– 1 strap (or scarf/belt)
– 1 pair of socks (or 1 soft, squishy-like ball)

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Introducing a new theme for somatic exploration – head tension. In this first out of three workshops, I touch on how the head does not exist in isolation but rather, shares connections through multiple systems in the body. One area we will explore is the skeletal system, i.e the head’s connection with the pelvic diaphragm through the jaw, spine, pelvis, legs and feet. From an energetic point of view, when we experience head tension, there can be an excess of energy concentrated at the cognitive level (we are literally very much “in our head”). Through a series of exercises, we ease tension by sensing into the relationship between our head and the base of our spine, all the way to the feet – bringing the energy back to earth. We also delve deeper into the relationship between the cranium and the pelvis. 

Props required:
– 1 yoga mat
– 1 firm cushion
– 1 yoga block

The post Head Tension Workshop 1/3 appeared first on Somatic Therapy Asia.

That in every movement or gesture that we perform, the Nervous System is listening to the Fascia System and talking to the Musculo-Skeletal system.

Our body of intelligence is always trying to figure out how to respond to the environment. The nervous system is our safety barometer – it perceives both our internal and external environment and everything in between to scan for potential danger. It records every phenomena and labels them as good or bad based on the imprints of historical experiences.

Our connective tissues via the self-organising fascia matrix give us a sense of where and how we’re moving through space and gravity across multiple joints. Every muscle, every bone, every organ and even every cell lives embedded within the sea of a unitary fascial matrix. It gives us a sense of continuity and integration of our whole body. 

All these information is then related back to our brain to control our musculo-skeletal system for both volitional and sub-conscious movement and action.

These trinity of system then form a feedback loop – The Neuromyofascial Web. These processes and the way in which they dialogue with each other define our responsiveness / reactivity to our environment, our defensive mechanisms in which we view the world as safe or dangerous. It shapes our emotions, our posturing and our body language. It creates the container in which we experience life and conjugates our reality.

DM to find out more about how we can tap into these somatic inquiries through our trainings, workshops and private sessions.

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This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on November 23rd 2020.

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Within the space of an hour, the change in his temperament was profound. He smiled and engaged with me and others verbally, his body language was one of openness. He also gave me a number of big bear hugs and walked me to my bike to bid me goodbye.

The central theme in the trainings I facilitate is on the regulation of the nervous system. In Body Mind Centering, our nervous system serves as a recording device, it records every phenomenon in every moment and red flags events that might potentially threaten our perception of safety based on our biopsychosocial memory bank of experiences. Using Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory as a basis to approach therapy, we can create a container of safety and compassion to mindfully titrate somatic awareness for our clients and students who suffers from anxiety, trauma or disassociative syndrome, allowing the body-mind to slowly reintegrate into a present, embodied moment.

In cases of autism spectrum the nervous system is often overwhelmed. This boy was in shut-down mode before the class. What I observed was through a container of safety activation of movement, breath, and touch, his nervous system could be shifted from one of shut down and disassociation to one of presence and engagement .

This post was previously posted on Yogawithdaphne.com on May 19th 2019

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