Workshops

In these workshops, you will use a Somat ­­­­–– a specially designed “mat” that follows the length of your spine –– to experience a slowing down and a more vivid connection with your body and breath. Somat classes are gentle and designed for people who wish for more ease in their back, neck, shoulders, and hips or greater mind/body connection overall. Open to all levels, these workshops are geared toward a wide range of experiences and outcomes: better sleep, deeper relaxation, more fluid neck, spine and hips, calmer nervous system and improved communication between mind and body. Somats will be provided by Chiara and are available for purchase.

“Like flossing your spine.”

Sound Bath on Somat combines the healing effects of the Somat and the soothing sounds of Sound Bath, offering you a deeply rejuvenating hour, similar to a massage for your nervous system. Using the vibrational qualities of sound, Megan Costello Sloan will use crystal singing bowls to help release energy that is no longer needed, and move you into a deeper state of healing and relaxation. Chiara Guerrieri will introduce the Somat, a specially designed self-care tool crafted in Italy and finding its way to the U.S. The Somat promotes alignment and relieves deeply-held stress, as the spine decompresses, the mind slows down, and your nervous system settles.

Join us for this restorative experience that combines two innovative techniques, guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

Most of us have experienced “unliberated” shoulders: the feeling of them being stuck or immovable, a feeling of heaviness, slumping forward, tension, tightness, aches and pains. So many of us have difficulty maintain good posture. Is the phrase, “Pull your shoulders back!” familiar to you? In this workshop, we will focus on creating fullness and alignment of the thorax and rib cage in order to provide support that the shoulder girdle craves and requires to be liberated! We will explore the role breath plays and experience the integrated movements from Ground Reaction Force. We will learn how the bones of the scapula, clavicle and arm move during asanas, and use images to experience natural bone rhythms. Images will also be part of our exploration of movements that help to unravel body-holding patterns.

Co-taught by Chiara Guerrieri and Joani Gelinas, Chiara will set a framework of anatomical & physiological awareness, by connecting with the body through the breath, tracking physical sensation moment to moment and finding an internal sense that guides movement. Joani will use postural pattern principals/exploration, imagery, and movement experiences and re-education in a unique combination of Physical Therapy, Aston Patterning and the Franklin Method.

Chiara teaches anatomy and physiology in a dynamic style, presenting the human musculoskeletal system, including skeletal structure, main muscle groups, joints, tendons and ligaments. She will cover both the study of the subject of yoga as well as the application of its principles, including benefits, contraindications and healthy movement patterns.