Welcome to your Somatic Yoga for Anxiety Relief practice. (↓Open for more!)
If you would like to learn more about somatics, kindly read the following blog post:
Anxiety is a natural response, a necessary part of our survival. When anxiety arises, it’s your nervous system signaling that something in your environment feels unsafe. This can manifest as physical symptoms like a quickened heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, racing thoughts, dry mouth, and more. These bodily responses are designed to grab your attention, signaling that something needs addressing.
Throughout the day, the fight-or-flight response can be triggered in situations where you are safe. Why? Because the brain is constantly scanning your environment for any sign of danger. As your senses pick up on sounds, sights, smells, internal sensations, and more, your brain is categorizing these as either “safe” or “unsafe.” If unsafe, stress hormones are released, triggering the fight-or-flight response. Overhearing an argument between your colleague and your boss could trigger your internal alarm. The sight of a dog could trigger your alarm. Feeling pain or an uncomfortable sensation in your body could trigger your alarm.
Anxiety can become a chronic response when we feel persistently unsafe. While this is a natural protection mechanism, it can lead to chronic muscular tension, headaches, migraines, dizziness, muscular spasms, pain, restricted breathing, tight fascia, constant worries about the future, rumination, and more.
During anxious moments, it might feel like the last place you want to be is in your body. The urge to disconnect or distract yourself can be strong.
Somatic practices, like somatic yoga, encourage you to reconnect with your body. Somatic practices invite you to notice sensations, like anxiety, through a lens of compassionate curiosity. You are invited to notice how you feel without passing judgment. You have the opportunity to discover what feelings may be beneath the anxiety. Somatic practices invite you to sense where you feel the sensations in your body. This practice invites you to move in a way that feels like a kind gesture to your mind and body. You are invited to slow down the pace, so that way you can really get into your body, sensing all the micro-movements and any physiological changes as you explore. Somatic practices are typically low to the ground, which can help you experience feelings of connection.
This somatic yoga practice is designed to send love, nourishment and compassion to your nervous system. The movements, breathwork, yoga poses and self-massage are designed to help you slow down the pace, turn your attention inward, re-establish connection with yourself, and cultivate an inner sense of felt safety.
Feel free to let me know how this class goes for you in the comments below.
Sending a virtual hug your way.
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Music by Brad Dermo
#somaticyoga #somaticmovement #somaticyogaforanxiety #yogawithrachel
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Disclaimer:
Rachel Van Huis from Yoga with Rachel, highly recommends that you consult with your physician prior to participating in this exercise program. Please follow any safety precautions as indicated by your physician. Participating in any fitness program involves the possibility of physical injury. Listen to your body. Stop the exercise if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort. If you decide to engage in this exercise, class or exercise program, you agree to do so at your own risk. By voluntarily participating in these activities, you assume all risk of injury to yourself. During your yoga practice, it’s common for emotions to arise. We encourage you to explore these feelings with curiosity. Should you find the emotions overwhelming or distressing, we recommend seeking professional support.
Hello sweet friends 🤗I hope that this somatic yoga practice served you well 💙Feel free to share your experiences with me in the comments. If you found this practice helpful, kindly share it with someone that you think might enjoy it and/or benefit from the practice. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day 🙏
I feel a sense of relief, and I subscribed
❤ loved it
Thank you again for another healing session 🦋🌱
Immensely peaceful. Thank you!
This was truly healing for me today. Thank you kindly 🙏
This is the first time I have tried Somatic Yoga.
After a really intense nightmare, I was feeling anxious and bottled up. This practice was gentle, peaceful (and allowed me to shed a few tears), releasing my pent up emotions.
I look forward to exploring the other Somatic Yoga routines.
Your voice is soft, gentle and soothing, allowing me to feel my way though the experiences without discord.
Thank you so much.
I’ve already subscribed, and plan to make these videos part of my daily practice.
Many thanks. An excellent substitute while my arthritis is keeping me from traditional yoga flow.
I started crying around min 5, I haven’t felt so present in my body other than during sex. I have felt so distant from my own body for so long. Whenever I’m alone my body/mind completely enters anxiety territory. Thank you so much ❤
thank you <3
Thank you so much for sharing this. I loved the session.
Thanks! The seated pose cross hands tapping opposite upper arms gave me more calm. I also like the laying down tighten muscles and release.
Fantastic and sweet my dear Rachel ✨💕✨
I found these exercises super helpful. Especially after returning to the classroom after March Break. I know you can relate! I also love how this aligns with the research and work of health psychology. I often share with students that psychology is more PHYSICAL and somatic than it is mental. Movement is everything! Thank you for sharing this video and all the tips. Your work changes people Rachel. Grateful for you. xo