How do movement, breath and meditation practices help to align you with purpose and meaning you ask?

Martha Beck, a well-known life coach and author, emphasizes the importance of connecting to your "essential self" in her work. According to Beck, your essential self is the core part of you that is authentic, true, and deeply aligned with your own values and desires. She argues that many people live disconnected from this true self due to societal pressures, fears, and internalized expectations.

In her writings, she suggests that reconnecting with your essential self involves a process of self-discovery and inner exploration. This might include practices like mindfulness, self-reflection, and paying attention to what genuinely brings you joy and fulfillment. She believes that by understanding and embracing your essential self, you can lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life, and so do I!

This journey is often about letting go of false identities and external validations. It is here that we see a deep congruence with the heart of Yogic philosophy, surrendering to the whirling of the mind and listening to your own inner wisdom and intuition is what “Big Y Yoga” is interested in. By doing so, you can align your actions with your true desires and purpose.

Somatic techniques can be incredibly beneficial for connecting with your essential self and overall well-being. These techniques focus on the internal experience of movement, breath and meditation, emphasizing awareness of how your body feels and moves rather than just the external form or performance. There are several ways somatic movement can help:

• Increased Body Awareness: Somatic movement practices, such as Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, or Body-Mind Centering, help you become more aware of your bodily sensations and movement patterns. This heightened awareness can lead to a better understanding of your physical and emotional states.

• Release of Tension: Many somatic techniques focus on identifying and releasing physical tension that may be stored in the body. By addressing and releasing these tensions, you may experience greater ease and freedom in your movements, which can also translate into emotional and mental relief.

• Improved Emotional Regulation: By connecting with bodily sensations and learning to listen to your body, you can gain insights into your emotional states. This can help you manage stress, anxiety, and other emotions more effectively, contributing to a more balanced and centered state of being.

• Enhanced Self-Expression: Somatic movement encourages exploring and expressing yourself through your body. This can help you tap into and express your authentic self more fully, aligning with Martha Beck’s idea of connecting with your essential self.

• Healing from Trauma: For those who have experienced trauma, somatic techniques can help in processing and integrating these experiences. By working with the body, you can address and heal the physical and emotional impacts of trauma in a non-verbal way.

• Increased Mind-Body Connection: Somatic practices often emphasize the connection between the mind and body. By cultivating this connection, you can enhance your overall sense of well-being and align more closely with your inner self.

Overall, somatic movement techniques offer a holistic approach to personal growth and self-discovery, helping you reconnect with your essential self by fostering greater awareness, balance, and integration between your mind and body.