Tag: somatics

Self-confidence as embodied experience

~ meximinnesotana ~ 1 Comment

Hello lovely friends,

Hope those of you in the United States enjoyed a beautiful and safe weekend and that everyone else is well also.

I spent time connecting with friends and enjoying mask-free, vaccinated “new freedom” and got to listen to live music, gather with those I enjoy and also have adequate time for solitude.

It’s those longer weekends that make us all feel refreshed, no?

Somatics of Self-Confidence is being offered free on Thursday, July 15, 2021.

But I digress. I have been excited to plan on a new free offering on the somatics of self-confidence upcoming on July 15, 2021. It’s unclear if I will use LinkedIn Live or Zoom for that event (I may try some experiments before that to test). However, I intend to make this a real-time practice session for those looking to build confidence on a non-left-brained way.

We will embody confidence by doing some small movements (somatics) in order to release chronic tension from our bodies. We will breathe deeply into our bellies (diaphragmatic breath) in order to generate the feelings of confidence we desire. And we can use this confidence for a number of things: ask for a raise, ask for a work-from-home day once or twice a week, apply for a new job, or even to give a presentation.

Can you benefit from a little more confidence?

Join us at 11:30am CST on Thursday July 15, 2021 by getting on my workshop list (free, no charge) and allow me to share a few techniques I have found helpful especially in the last few years.

Look forward to seeing you there!

P.S. I’m linking to a YouTube video that’s part of my series on the somatics of self-confidence in case you want a byte-sized version of what I will offer at the free webinar.

Somatic wisdom (video)

~ meximinnesotana ~ 2 Comments

As I was coaching client teams online the other day, I realized I needed to “pandiculate” out of my highly focused state starting at a screen and focusing to a more relaxed state (taking a little walk and getting fresh air).

I was inspired to create a small video on this, and next month I am planning to offer a series of short (20-30) interactive “break-shops” on somatics. The idea that it is short enough for your lunch break or coffee break.

Many people take “stretch breaks” in their day but without understanding the somatics and leaning into the tension and then releasing, we can have stretch reflex that actually cause muscles to tighten even further.

A snip of the video from my “dining room” studio. 🙂

See the short (3 min) video here.

Much love,

My book will contain links to audio and video content that can help my intended audience to embody the practices I advocate. Creating those materials is really fun for me, almost as much as writing the first draft. I guess I’m a teacher at heart… 😉

Cristy

P.S. I am not as actively maintaining this blog, as my client list has started to expand. If you want to receive an occasional (usually 1-3 times month) email with free resources like workshops and other sources of inspiration to embody greater joy, ease and fulfillment in body and soul, sign up here.

On loving our learning

~ meximinnesotana ~ 8 Comments

I just completed my first intensive 3-day weekend of yoga teacher training for the 200-hour certification program through Yoga North. It was an amazing experience, with excellent teachers and 19 students in our class. Women from all walks of life, from one junior in high school to a few of us in our 40’s, maybe even 1-2 women their 50’s.

Most of us have practiced yoga in classes for years, but we now decided to make this commitment to deepen our study and our practices. I am so grateful for all of them, and for the wonderful teachers that filled the weekend with opportunities for practice along with giving us very clear and direct instruction.

yoga book collage
I get to read all these great resources! This is a sampling of our homework for month 1 (of 6).

Soma Yoga Therapy is a bit different than “traditional” hatha or vinyasa yoga styles. It is based on Thomas Hanna’s Somatics, Therapeutic Yoga practices and Classic Asana (poses). The principles are 1) to learn to pay attention, 2) build better habits, 3) progress responsibly, progress well, and 4) stay current – self-actualize.

I love that we challenge some of the traditional ways that people are instructed in yoga, ways that can often result in injury when people practice incorrectly or with poor form. Paying attention to the alignment of the spine and the pelvis are fundamental to Soma Yoga, and the poses are cued to help the student with proper alignment each time.

The idea is that we can help people maintain functional movement for the entirety of their lives. This includes while we are reaching for things or bending to pick things up, or having to sit at a desk all day, or looking back while driving, etc. These are all movements we do not want to lose as we get older. But sometimes our joints, muscles and fascia lose flexibility as we age because of habitual patterns.

I am so fascinated by what we are learning. On the first day after the first intensive weekend, I have already done about a quarter of the homework for the month. I am so excited to learn more. I am sure to post more as I learn, discover and practice in new ways.

Cheers,

cristy@meximinnesotana.com