Somatic Yoga to Start Your Day

Somatic practices, like somatic yoga, encourage you to explore what feels good, supportive and nourishing in your body. What feels good in my body may or may not resonate with you. This gives you the space to explore, play and experiment with different postures, movements, and breathwork that feel good in your body.

Somatic practices offer choice. You can opt in or out of a movement. You can explore different paces or rhythms throughout your practice. You can pause at any point to breathe into sensation. You can explore different movements that feel better in your body. You can use props to offer support and comfort.

Although choice can feel overwhelming or maybe a little intimidating at first, it can be a freeing and empowering practice.

As you explore your inner world, you may find that you develop a deeper sense of self-trust. You may begin to lean into your instincts and impulses a little more each time you show up on the mat.

For example, maybe you feel the urge to yawn throughout your entire practice. Many of us have been taught that yawning is “rude,” or it communicates disinterest or boredom.

Well, yawning is actually a natural and important nervous system response. Yawning can signify that your “rest-and-digest” response is kicking in. Yawning can also help you release pent-up emotions within the body. Yawning signals to the brain that you’re slowing down the pace.

I invite you to lean into these sensations, urges or impulses. They are messages from your body. This is one way to cultivate self-trust, and it demonstrates self-compassion.

Although I offer guided instruction throughout this morning practice, you are invited to follow what feels good in your body. You are encouraged to tune into your inner landscape, observing what you’re feeling and noticing throughout your practice. You are encouraged to engage in self-inquiry; to get curious about what’s present in your body. Allow your sensations to be the guide as you move and breathe.

I invite you to return back to this practice as long as it feels nourishing in your body. You can join this practice every day if you wish. Even exploring the same practice can be so useful for the communication that happens between your brain and the rest of your body. The brain appreciates repetition. This can build new neural pathways, reducing stiffness, tension, and pain. This is not an overnight “fix.” With that said, a consistent somatic practice can help release that which no longer serves (physical discomfort, stuck or sticky emotions, rumination, etc.).

It is my hope that this somatic morning yoga practice serves you well.