Another turn of the wheel after yesterday’s solstice and we really are feeling the sun's energy this week! I celebrated the solstice by staying outside until dark, watching the swifts, then the bats, listening to the birds as I sat in my swing (the best thing ever!), noticing the robin was the last to sing and also when the birdsong fades the sound of the traffic is clearer, which amazed me how loud birdsong can be.
Yesterday, I’d been doing a lot of heavier gardening, lots of hedge-trimming and lifting of garden waste bags and I noticed how much stronger my arms were - tiring less quickly, this is due to all the current strength and ease classes I’ve be teaching and practising, so if you want to feel stronger, why not join in this week?
Free Class
As the temperature rises, to help you stay cool this week I’m sharing this recent class for FREE, just use code COOL to access it.
Below I’m sharing a Q&A with a new student who had some insightful questions and there’s also a new offering for Tuesday 7th July.
Have a wonderful week, from my heart, soul and soma to yours.
Liz 🧡🙏🏻
Q& A with Jan a new student to Somatics
1) A lot of time is spent sensing what’s happening in the body in a curious way not dissimilar from a mindfulness body scan. However, your questions are consistently about the positioning of different parts of the body, are they higher, lower, is that correct?
A - Yes, this is highlighting the sensory cortex area of the brain and gives you a sense of where you start out, how well each part moves and how we move as a system.
2) Going into a position such as raising already tense shoulder muscles and then letting them ease back allows subtle softening to occur over time? It appears to me that the change gradually creeps up on you as you learn to soften tight muscles?
A - This is the pandiculation technique -The purposeful tensing brings the sensory motor part of the brain back “on-line”. (goes off line when tension/stress is habitual). The slow release then reduces the tension level of the muscle and causes a relaxation response. The pause gives your nervous system time to integrate the change. You might want to re-read the E-book.
3) This practice makes me feel like it’s getting the person to reconnect with their body in a very sensory way. It’s not about doing as being with your body to allow a re-education to take place. I am feeling my legs tingle or a sensation in another part of my body happen when I practice a movement elsewhere. In fact I feel like I am experiencing my body for the first time and it’s strange but very calming.
A - Absolutely! The practice teaches us how connected we truly are. Both in terms of how everything we experience becoming a bodily expression and also how we move in full body patterns.. It reawakens subtle sensation like the warmth and pulsing of blood flowing to newly relaxed muscles and the tingle of new neural networks.
Once you learn the foundational movements and as you learn to become more aware, more in tune and the ability to listen, you then know what you need, ie if your back starts to feel tired and achey or your neck feels stiff, you will know exactly how to help eaae that stiffness and aching in just a few movements.
In Class this Week - Strength & Ease Part 4
Continuing to build Strength with Ease by combining Somatics as a foundation of ease and early developmental movement patterns to bring strength and stability.
Please note Friday’s class at Central Wellness is being covered by Suzanne Glaze as I’m attending a funeral. Suzanne will be teaching a different class, going back to basics and sharing some of the foundational Clinical Somatics movements.
In the Library
In the Zoom class collection - part 3 Strength & Ease - Stronger Arms
In this class we explore improving our range of movement in the arms and shoulders before moving onto weight bearing through the arms and hands. We also explore another pre crawling movement which feels great for the back and hips.
Upcoming Offerings -
Somatic Yoga Class, “Pause & Nourish” is proving popular.
9:30 am Friday at Central Wellness.
I am loving teaching this nurturing class.
It is a therapeutic blend of somatics and gentle yoga, suitable for all levels. Slow, mindful movements to release tension and pain, together with somatic practices for nervous system regulation, leaving you feeling grounded, calm & relaxed.
New! Drum, Song & Dance Circles - Tuesday 9th July at Welbourn Village Hall
A women only monthly circle for freedom of expression through drum, song and dance. Open your voice, heart and connect to what lies deep within you. This monthly circle will be a safe, friendly nurturing space to connect to the power of the drum, to our voices and through dance - all ways we can express ourselves authentically and joyfully. Show up as you are, leave feeling heard, seen and held.
First Class Free
Members receive £5 discount
Back Care Basics at Central Wellness Saturday 11th July 10:00 am-12:30
Join me at Central Wellness for a morning of gentle somatic movement and experience how subtle movements alleviate pain and restore movement and ease.
Somatics & Sound Bath- Branston Church Hall Friday 24th July 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 .
Reconnection Retreat 2027 - Just Three Rooms Left - Early Bird Ends 30th June.
Following two successful retreats in 2025 & 2026 I am returning to the amazing Noka, Curlew and Avocet lodges in January 2027. These are the perfect venues that offer stunning accommodation and facilities in the lovely town of Woodhall Spa just 15 miles south east of Lincoln but a world away from your life.
The intention for my retreats is to create a supportive space for women to find time to nourish, nurture, heal, express, rest and reconnect. I am always humbled, grateful and in awe of everyone who joins me for embracing both the weekend and more importantly, themselves and each other.