This approach is underpinned by the Ancient Tradition of Yoga (Vinyasa and Scaravelli), The Buddha’s Teaching on Mindfulness and Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing Method (Body Orientated Trauma Healing)
It is inspired by a deep love and fascination of the natural world particularly The Spiritual Element of Water
Overview of Still Flowing Yoga Somatics
Still Flowing Yoga Somatics on one level is a creative internal exploration into the forces of gravity, water and air (through the breath), and how they affect our body’s structure and movement. Using mindful awareness and felt sensation we will explore these forces through various complementary forms. This enquiry aims to cultivate a somatic awakening to the flow inherent to life.
This playful investigation will take place within the forms of asana, fluid movement, embodied meditation and sound vibration.
Our bodily systems are made up of approx 65% water, when permitted and encouraged to move in the way that they are meant to – fluidly and freely –they have the capacity to transform somatically (from the inside out) gradually returning us to a primordial, intuitive and integrated way of being.
On another level by embodying the elements and natures forces and focusing on felt sense we may attune to, and start to integrate, the human animal in us, so necessary for deeper healing.
This work can have a profound healing effect on the anatomy and physiology of the body which is a microcosm of the macrocosm, awakening the core, freeing the spine, regulating the nervous system and experiencing nature as us, with no sense of other.
Within these supportive, buoyant and fluid conditions, we also make a safe container to do the deeper work of gently unravelling and unwinding the patterning of tension, holding, and trauma that may be bound in the physiology of the body, and that may be obstructing the body/mind from experiencing the flowing nature of the here and now.
This fluid enquiry into the body/mind leads us ever deeper into penetrating and realising what are known in Buddhism as the “Three Marks of Existence” – Impermanence, Suffering and Not Self.
If you are further interested in exact content of Module 1 to be held in Lanzarote please email Gemma Mallol directly on: stillflowing@hotmail.co.uk
Gemma Mallol
Director and Teacher of Still Flowing Yoga Somatics – Module 1
Location
The location chosen for the first 2 week retreat is a beautiful Eco Retreat Centre in Lanzarote, The Canary Islands. The centre is simple, clean and natural in its decor, with an emphasis on mindful, eco living. This location has been chosen specifically for its wild and elemental nature. Lanzarote being volcanic, brings together all the elements in its geography. A quiet time of year (February) will lend itself to the work in hand by providing us with a spacious, open landscape in the middle of a National Volcanic Park, dotted with caves, and close to windy empty beaches and ocean. The weather is warm all year round and the sea swimmable.
Villa Amatista the location www.villa-amatista.com offers the following facilities:
- 6 small houses, studios and one Yurt (en suite, kitchen facilities and private patios, all rooms are twin to be shared by two students)
- 70m2 indoor practice room with sprung wooden floor
- Zen garden, outside practice spaces
- Solar heated swimming pool
- Large organic gardens with fruit trees, vegetables, Aloe Vera
- Ecology: solar panels, water-recycling, composting
- Central location – perfect base for exploring this magical island
- 10 minute drive to the Beach, in the middle of a Natural Park
- Free Internet WIFI access
Price
Villa Amatista Casa Rural www.villa-amatista.com – Price £1250 – A mix of self catering, and dinners provided by the centre or eaten out. Every twin shared room has kitchen facilities, small living area and patio.
Included in the price of £1250 are 5 dinners per week (10 in total) either provided by the centre or eating out together in local restaurants. Breakfast and lunch are self catered and paid for additionally by students.
There will be an optional 3rd week of pure holiday available from 16th – 23rd February at the Villa for an additional price of £350 p/p
This price for the last week holiday does include 5 dinners
Schedule
- Module 1: 2nd – 16th February 2013 – 2 Week Retreat, Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Confirmed)
- Module 2: Mid September 2013 – 5 day Workshop, London/Surrey (Exact dates TBC)
- Module 3: Beginning of July 2014 – 10 day Retreat, Totnes, Devon, UK (Exact dates TBC)
- Module 4: To be confirmed 2015
The Rhythm of the Programme
Still Flowing Yoga Somatics develops thematically piece by piece over a period of 3 years. It expands and deepens as the years go on.
The space between retreats (modules) is intentional so that students have the chance to apply the teaching through embodiment and practice. As internal enquiry is fundamental to the somatic approach, the practitioners’ system needs time to integrate and embody the flow and healing process for it to be effective. What you learn on this programme if the somatic process is effective will be embedded in your body, your tissues, your fluids, your cells and your nervous system. This is yoga and meditation from the inside out.
