Somatic Movement & Embodied Rest™
Move gently. Rest deeply. Rebuild the conversation with your body.
I believe our bodies are constantly communicating with us.
Through the pace of modern life, caring for others, work, stress, illness, injury, or simply years of putting ourselves last, it can become difficult to hear what they're saying. We begin to live more from our heads than from our bodies, and over time this can show up as tension, stiffness, exhaustion, anxiety, poor sleep, persistent aches and pains, or simply a feeling of being disconnected from ourselves.
As a psychotherapist, I'm continually reminded that our bodies and minds are not separate. How we live, cope, move and rest all shape one another.
Moving Beyond Conditioning is an invitation to slow down, become curious, and gently rebuild that conversation. Rather than asking your body to do more, we create the conditions in which it can soften, adapt and move with greater ease.
Through movement, rest and awareness, this class creates opportunities to notice more, respond with greater choice, and cultivate a kinder relationship with yourself.
What is Moving Beyond Conditioning?
This practice is a gentle, floor-based practice that brings together somatic movement, Embodied Rest™, slow yoga, breath awareness, self-massage and restorative practices.
We move slowly enough to notice.
In a culture that encourages us to rush from one thing to the next, this practice values the pauses just as much as the movement. Those moments of noticing give the body and nervous system time to respond, adapt and settle.
Rather than focusing on achieving a pose or stretching further, we explore movement from the inside out. The emphasis is on awareness, comfort and choice, helping you develop greater confidence and trust in your own body.
What to Expect
Each class is thoughtfully woven together to support both your physical and emotional wellbeing. Practices may include:
- Gentle somatic movement to improve body awareness, mobility and ease.
- Slow, mindful yoga that develops strength and stability without rushing.
- Self-massage using therapy balls and other props to awaken the fascia, improve circulation and soften areas of tension.
- Gentle body shaking to help release excess muscular tension, encourage natural movement, and support the release of stress held in the body.
- Embodied Rest™ practices using blankets, bolsters and blocks to support deep rest and nervous system regulation.
- Breath awareness, meditation and guided relaxation to help you settle and restore.
Props are provided, and there is no expectation to keep up or perform.
Every movement is an invitation.
You have complete autonomy over your body throughout the class. You're encouraged to move in the way that feels right for you, adapt practices to suit your needs, or simply rest whenever you choose.
How Can This Practice Help?
Our nervous system is designed to move between activity and rest. Yet many of us spend much of our lives in a state of constant doing, responding to the demands of work, family, responsibilities and the many everyday pressures that can leave us feeling overwhelmed.
Over time, this can affect how we move, breathe and experience our bodies.
By slowing down and bringing gentle awareness to movement, we give the brain, nervous system and body an opportunity to work together differently. This practice helps develop greater awareness of the body's signals while offering simple, practical tools to support regulation, ease and resilience in everyday life.
Many people notice improvements in:
- Mobility and flexibility
- Balance and coordination
- Strength and confidence in movement
- Body awareness
- Stress and anxiety
- Sleep and relaxation
- Nervous system regulation
- Feeling calmer, more grounded and more at home in their body
Who is This Class For?
This class is suitable for adults of all ages and abilities who are looking for a slower, kinder approach to movement.
It may be especially supportive if you:
- Feel stiff or less mobile than you'd like.
- Want to reduce stress and reconnect with your body.
- Are looking for a gentler way to build strength, confidence and flexibility.
- Are recovering from surgery or injury (with guidance from your healthcare professional).
- Live with arthritis, fibromyalgia or persistent pain.
- Find fast-paced exercise doesn't feel right for your body.
No previous experience is needed, and you don't need to be flexible.
A Warm Welcome Awaits
Moving Beyond Conditioning is more than a class; it's a warm, welcoming community where you can move at your own pace, without judgement or pressure.
Whether you're returning to movement after many years, looking for support alongside other activities, or simply seeking an hour each week to slow down and breathe, you'll be welcomed exactly as you are.
Together, we'll create the time and space to listen to what your body has been trying to tell you all along.
Book online: Exchange - £9 pay as you go online or £49.50 for a 6 class pass or £60 for an 8 class pass that is valid for up to 1 year to be used in any of our classes (except our monthly Yintegrate to Elevate or Shake the Dust)
Pay on the door - £9 cash or bank transfer
Wednesday 6:00pm - 60 minutes
With +8 hours cancellation notice, you will be issued with a class pass to use in any of our classes (except Yintegrate to Elevate)
Located in the heart of the community, you can join any of the yoga classes in person at St Christophers Church Hall, Blackpool Road, Lea. There is plenty of parking at the church or at the Pig and Whistle car park next door, there is also a bus stop just outside if that’s how you roll.
All yoga equipment is provided including mats, bolsters, blocks, blankets and eye pillows, however if you want to bring your own you are more than welcome.
