I’ve been pondering the polarities of life, but first… Isn't it wonderful to welcome in the lighter nights? I don’t know about you, but for me, internally it takes time for me to adjust, when the clocks change, it feels like a kind of jet leg and I feel our intelligent bodies know this. This morning, I slept so deeply, through my alarm and awoke at what would have been my “normal” waking time. This changing of the clocks goes against nature and is a classic sign of "man-v-nature” and it reminds me of the theme that was part of the beautiful day I attended on Saturday, a day of song, meditation and mantra with the Gentle Co and Anand Kirtan and Tom , the theme for the day being "polarities".
We were asked to feel where in our lives was our greatest challenge with the polarities in our lives and mine is how I struggle with being self employed and yet loving what I do, the polarity of the push/pull of doing what I love and the stresses of being self employed and earning an income that sustains me.
What I teach is such a big part of me, and the whole “doing all the stuff” of being self employed together with the uncertainty that an irregular income brings, takes over the love I have for my work. I wondered who AM I, when I am not a teacher/ holder of space and all the peddling underneath that goes with it?.
During the day itself there were the polarities of the joy of singing and sounding, against exploring practices that pushed me out of my comfort zone, to singing with joy and singing with tears. The whole day was so worth all those edges that I came up against.
Today, as I attempted to peg out billowing washing, I realised that for now I AM ALL of it all and that, yes, often it is a challenge and it’s all okay, reminding myself as somas' - we can embody of all of our experiences - through the switchboard of our nervous system those experiences dial straight into our muscles and create tension patterns. Remembering that I have free will, I can hold onto the tension created by the push/pull of my work/life balance or I can be with it all and at the same time, release the tension, the resistance around it, find peace with it… (still working on finding peace with the social media side of it all though! 🤪).
What I do know for certain is that, despite all the challenges of being self employed, I know that I am doing what I am here to do, I love somatics, I know the power of this practice and I feel blessed to be sharing it with you… and on that note, I have a great class for you this week, read more below and apologies for the date correction for the June retreat date, thank you for bearing with me!
From my Heart, Soul & Soma to Yours,
Liz 🙏🏻🧡
Now in the Library - Feel your Centre
Lots of great feedback for this class, from “ sensational” “like stripping off layers of paint” to a wonderful discussion after class on Tuesday where one student reflected “I think (this practice) is one of the most intimate things we can do for ourselves” I agree, in our somatics practice we meet ourselves truly where we are at and the movements help us to feel more into who we are.
In last week’s class we explored the opposite relationships of shoulder to hip - the diagonals, can we sense the connection to our centre in diagonal movements? (Diagonal movements being the basis of walking and twisting - key movements that make us human and liberate us - without the ability to walk with ease, our life can become smaller), so this class gives us clues as to where we can sense the connection both to our centre and opposite hip to shoulder.
In Class This Week - The Antidote to Sitting.
I read recently that sitting is the new smoking. If you are desk bound, or car bound or just know you spend more time on your bum than feet then this class takes a deep dive into freeing up that crunched up, hunched up, head forward/down posture. Hello restored posture, happier hip flexors and relaxed neck and shoulders!
Upcoming Offerings -
Somatics & Sound Bath- Branston Church Hall Friday 17th April 7-9 pm.
Take an evening to pause, relax deeply and move gently as Liz guides you through gentle Somatic movement and then absorb the healing frequencies of Caroline’s beautiful Sound Bath.
We’d love to see you.
Pay what you can comfortably afford from £15-£30 .
Summer Retreat Day at Aubourn Estate and Gardens. Saturday 13th June 10-6pm
Join me at Aubourn Estate for a relaxing day of nurturing movement and exploring the beautiful gardens.
We have exclusive use of the gardens and grounds including a guided walk with one of the hall’s gardeners. All the movement practices will take place in Forbes room within the courtyard.
The day includes lunch
Gentle somatic yoga
Restorative yoga and yoga nidra.
Garden Tour
Payment plans available
£140. Members only receive £10 discount. RETREAT10