SomaYoga is a combination of traditional yoga poses, breathwork, therapeutic yoga, the Neuromuscular Re-education of Somatics, Ayurveda (the sister science to yoga), and personal development/shadow work.

I had tried stretching, strengthening, got soft tissue work done, and all of that helped….. a little each time. But over time, I went further into pain and I knew the next step was neck surgery. I did NOT want to do that. Luckily, I found SomaYoga.

Here’s why it’s different:

Therapeutic SomaYoga got me out of pain.

What is Somatics? In Somatics, we learn to become aware of patterns in our bodies that are causing pain and immobility. We can develop these patterns as a stress or trauma response, through repetitive use for sports or at a desk/job, and possibly when we develop movement as infants! We literally FORGET how to move in certain ways! Through a greater awareness of these patterns and small, specific movements of the torso (shoulder girdle, pelvis, and spine), we can learn to release chronic muscle tension and increase freedom of movement.

Somatic practices can be done anywhere, anytime you need to release tension, or find better balance.

Breathwork is also a major focus of SomaYoga. We are constantly learning new things about the Breath and the Respiratory System. Generally, we are overbreathing, and even when we’ve learned breathwork in the past, often it ADDED to overbreathing! You’ll learn to change your basic breath pattern so that your breath is more relaxed, takes less energy, and is in more balance. This helps not only the Respiratory System, but also the neuromuscular system (THE DIAPHRAGM IS YOUR CENTRAL POSTURAL MUSCLE!), the nervous system (so you are in the Parasympathetic Nervous System, or “rest and digest” system, at rest), and also the cardiac and lymph systems. After you are breathing in this Essential way, we can work on practices to enhance sports training, for breath support in singing or speaking, etc!

Breathwork is invaluable. It will be your Go-to practice, and can be done anywhere, anytime.

Therapeutic yoga is based on the 8 Limbs of Yoga of which Asana (or poses) is only one of these 8. The other 8 Limbs besides movement/poses and breathwork include work on one pointed focus, mindfulness, meditation, and living your life the best way possible, through the Yamas and Niyamas - Yoga’s ethical guidelines.

Yoga is about Balance, on all the Kosha Layers: Physical, Breath/energy, Mind-Emotions, Mind-Intellect, Connection. It’s difficult to decrease pain (of any kind) unless you look at all of these layers.

Ayurveda is the Sister Science to Yoga. One of the main priciples of Ayurveda is that each of us has unique qualities. Therefore, each practice will be given differently to each person due to their unique qualities, depending on their Dosha type (or consistituion). It also focuses on finding balance through the 6 Pillars of Wellness: The Right Food, the Right Exercise, the Right Sleep, the Right Breathing/Stress Management Techniques, the Right Cleansing Practices, and the Right Self-Awareness/Self-Reflexion Practices. These will look differently to each person, and even at different times of our lives.

Ayurveda brings a very unique approach, which helps deliver a very individualized plan.

Pam’s unique blend of SomaYoga Therapy and Occupational Therapy blends tools such as simple myofascial release, cranialsacral work, and a deep understanding of functional movement as well as home and workplace modification.

SomaYoga EMPOWERS YOU to use these tools to LIVE A LIFE OF WELL-BEING rather than treating disease.

Individual Sessions

45-90 minute sessions: Individual sessions focus on the specific patterns you have in your body. You will learn ways to release chronically held tension and to use muscles that may have become “quiet” to regain balance and decrease pain/stress. Assessment and guidance may also consist of analysis of your breath pattern, a basic Ayurveda assessment to teach you daily self care techniques depending on your body, or dosha, type, using ancient yogic guides and maps such as the Kosha layers and Yamas and Niyamas as well as the tools of Occupational Therapy. A detailed home program is given with each session and Pam will work with you to find a program that fits in your life or schedule.

Classes

Workshops