Somatic Embodiment Yoga vs. Traditional Yoga
Somatic Embodiment Yoga:
A deeply nourishing practice for the nervous system and the mind.
In Somatic Yoga, our focus is always on the body’s current shape. Looking at alignment, sensations, and your body’s inner knowing. — Asana (the posture/pose) is used simply as a starting point to explore your body’s inner dialogue, rather than the pose being the main focus.
We invite you to explore your body’s sensations and movements, while discovering what feels right for you and your body.
For Example:
You may start in downward dog, although instead of focusing on attaining the perfect shape, your focus is on what it feels like to ebb & flow in and out of the shape.
If your body feels called to wiggle, shift, move, sway, or anything in between, that is celebrated and encouraged!
You will then explore what it feels like to:
focus on your lengthening your spine while you shift into different shapes or roll your spine in a wave like way.
connect with your body and it’s sensations.
adjust or change your shape at any point if you feel called to do so.
You will be reminded throughout the class that listening to your body’s inner wisdom and dialog is your main focus.
You may feel called to move into a entirely different shape, or you may feel called to stay in that shape and explore it for the entire class; these are both celebrated!
Traditional Yoga:
Here, Asana (the posture/pose) is one of the main focuses and goals. Posture, attaining a specific shape, and sequencing is the typical outcome.
For Example:
You may practice downward dog as part of a sequence, with your focus being on achieving a perfect shape.
You will then typically be instructed to shift into another Asana (posture/pose) while continuing this pattern throughout the class.