Soma comes from Ancient Greek σωματικός (sōmatikós, “bodily”), and σῶμα (sôma, “body”.) so somatic means “of the body” or pertaining to it. Therefore, the premise of a “somatic” approach is, by definition, the gradual cultivation of accurate interpretations and appropriate responses to the signals that the body gives us.
By entering the body in a somatic way, we will draw pathways, patchworks of resonance from which to approach unknown systems and landscapes that lie within.
We will begin our morning practice with Shiatsu and body-mapping techniques, then journey into surrounding nature, bonding with the earth, reflecting on plant energetics and botany.
Turning things around, we will look for potential energy in a herbal gesture, and translate this into kinetic energy.
With our senses and perception we will explore methods to relate to ourselves in eco-somatic ways, weaving an embodied cartography of knowledge.
What are the felt sensations of tuning in with our own body-structures, with plants, with their ecological surrounding?