"What does bad posture mean to you?” was a question that was posed to me and a group of women at a retreat day I attended on Saturday hosted by Sophie Dear. I spent the day with my niece ☺️ and it was sooo lovely to be with her, to be a student and receive some nourishment that was fun, challenging and interesting. Having not practised vinyasa yoga for many years, I wondered how I would manage, especially having sustained injuries through yoga, but all credit to my Somatics practice, I felt supple and strong enough to sustain the many planks, down-dogs, lunges and pretzel like twists.
Back to the question about posture, my response was, from a Somatics viewpoint is that there is no "bad posture”and went on to share how, as sensory beings, our nervous system is simply doing its job, adapting to everything we experience, which in turn becomes embodied.
I think we’ve all heard the phrase “our issues are in our tissues” and for the majority of us, this is so, so true! there is no disconnect between our thoughts, feelings and repetitive movements to our muscles, whether it is conscious or subconscious and if repeated enough we develop SMA (sensory motor amnesia) - literally we lose a sense, awareness and control of ourselves and habituate one or all of the stress reflexes.
The benefit from understanding this is to join to dots of our being-ness on a daily basis, how are our actions, movements, thoughts, feelings, beliefs all translate their way into our posture by way of the three stress reflexes, then learning the Somatic movements to release the holding patterns of those reflexes we restore our posture so that we can move in ease and feel more grounded, connected and centred. So, we are not trying to “fix” or “improve” our posture, we are restoring balance in our nervous system. Cool or what?!
This week Elizabeth, a new student to my on-demand library, shares her feedback with you.
“I have been doing a few of your online classes. Tonight I did ‘Stop the Slouch’ - honestly I was amazed with the immediate relief and result. I have had a very bad sore lower back for a good month now and I was focusing on lower back exercises but after tonights class, my whole chest and shoulders felt open and free and as a result, it seems to have alleviated the pain on my lower back. I actually said ‘RIDICULOUS’ when I finished the class with the immediate release of tension in my shoulders and lower back”
I have been doing a few of your online classes. Tonight I did 'Stop the Slouch’ - honestly I was amazed with the immediate relief and result. I have had a very bad sore lower back for a good month now and I was focusing on lower back exercises but after tonights class, my whole chest and shoulders felt open and free and as a result, it seems to have alleviated the pain on my lower back. I actually said ‘RIDICULOUS’ when I finished the class with the immediate release of tension in my shoulders and lower back.
Thank you thank you thank you
Missed Out on Daily Practice Week? Recordings now Available
I know that not everyone could attend every live session, and many of you have asked if there’s a way to revisit the practices or explore the other teachers you didn’t get to meet.
Good news: the Daily Practice Week recordings are now available for purchase.
Whether you’d like to:
Catch up on sessions you missed
Revisit your favorite practices
Have guided resources you can use at home
Or simply show your appreciation for the teachers who led your sessions
…these 20-30 minute recordings are a wonderful way to continue your practice on your own time.
To purchase my set of 5 practices (a total of 2-2.5hrs of audio content) for US$18 (approx £14 / €16 / CN$25 / AU$28 please click here.
Or you can purchase all 5 sets together by clicking here — 25 guided practices (10-12.5hrs of content) for US$70 (approx £53 / €61 / CN$99 / AU$108). Perfect for continuing your movement practice anytime, anywhere.
Back to this Week - Shoulder Blade Slide & Glide
Or do yours feel stuck? Stuck shoulder blades contribute to neck and shoulder issues as well as restricting range of movement in your arms. Join me in to feel more glide and less glitch by booking below.
I teach online on Tuesday and Thursday at 10am and Wednesday 6:15 GMT. In person at Central Wellness on Friday at 11 am.
Now in the Library - Sore Shoulders Stiff Neck?
This class has that covered… how heavy does your head feel? How tense are your shoulders? Take a deep dive into releasing your neck, shoulders and back.
Thanks again for reading, if you cannot make a weekly class, why not nourish yourself with my upcoming offerings below.
From my Heart, Soul & Soma to yours
Liz 🧡🙏🏻
Upcoming Offerings
This Friday - Somatic Yoga for Your Soul at Central Wellness 7-9 pm.
Deep nourishment for your heart, soul & soma. An evening of surrender, peace, gentle movement & deep relaxation.
Welcome back to your "being", back to a sense of wholeness, where the layers of responsibility and expectation are eased away through grounded, gentle movement, stillness and breath.
Venue - Central Wellness
Pay what you can comfortably afford Cost from £20-£30
More details below.
Festive Sound & Soma- Branston Church Hall Sunday 7th December 6-9 pm.
Join Caroline and I and make space for yourself as we come together for our last Sound & Soma of 2025. As this busy season begins to build momentum, take an evening to pause, move gently and absorb the healing frequencies of Caroline’s beautiful Sound Bath.
This extended class will include warming drinks and nibbles as we spend time together to celebrate the season.
Wintertime is all about restoring our energies and this is even more-so important at this busy time of year.
We’d love to see you.
Cost is dependant on what you can comfortably afford from £20-£30 .
Wellbeing Day at Skendleby Hall Saturday 22nd November plus optional overnight stay.
I have been invited back to teach at Skendleby for another of their retreat days.
Skendleby Hall offers a laid back luxury and friendly vibe. Extend your day with an overnight stay and enjoy a walk on the Lincolnshire coast or in the Wolds. The day includes Somatics, yoga , sound bath and more.
Feel inspired but still not sure where to start? Book a free consult with me where I will guide you through a standing and walking assessment and discuss your options.