the body and mind are deeply interconnected, and this connection refers to the relationship between the mental and physical aspects of being human. emotions, memories, and psychological states are stored in the body and can influence our physical state – vice versa; physical health can affect our mental health.

somatic practices provide a way to reconnect with the body’s wisdom, enhance emotional regulation, and promote healing by listening to and understanding the body’s sensations. this connection helps bring more balance and awareness to both our mental and physical experiences. Understanding the connection between the body, mind, and felt sense can provide deep insights into how we can improve our well-being, creativity, and overall quality of life.

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Better physical health and immune function

• Improved self-awareness and connection to self-expression

• Increased emotional resilience

• Enhanced focus and cognitive clarity

• Improved emotional regulation and well-being

• Better sleep quality

• Enhanced self-worth

• Enhanced problem-solving and creative thinking

from a neuroscience perspective, an active meditation works on multiple levels to promote relaxation and emotional release. firstly, it activates the autonomic nervous system. physical movement, especially through activities like yoga, intuitive movement, or stretching, stimulates both the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response) and parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest response), which helps release stored stress, trauma, or tension in the body. the physical release of tension often corresponds to emotional release, as the body and mind are interconnected.

the body can store unresolved emotions and trauma in muscles, a phenomenon often referred to as "muscle memory." In this state, the body "remembers" stress or emotional pain even when the mind has moved past it. when you engage in movement mindful movement, stretching or shaking, it can help discharge this trapped energy. the physical act of moving these areas helps "unlock" or release these stored emotional blocks.

movement also increases the release of endrophins and serotonins in the body, helping you to regulate stress, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve overall mood. In other words, movement helps you to let go of negative emotions.

movement also enhances communication between different regions of the brain, including those involved in emotion regulation (like the prefrontal cortex) and sensory processing (like the somatosensory cortex). as movement encourages more body awareness, the brain's ability to process emotions and sensations in the body improves. this enhances emotional intelligence, making it easier to understand and release what’s stored inside.

physical movement reduces the amount of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, in the body. this will actively lower cortisol levels and calm the body's stress response, which in turn helps alleviate emotional tension.

when movement is combined with deep, mindful breathing, the vagus nerve is activated, which connects the brain and body. this regulation of breath helps you stay grounded and in tune with your body’s sensations, promoting emotional processing and release.

like meditation, movement also promotes neuroplasticity. It strengthens neural pathways related to self-regulation and emotional flexibility, making it easier to process and release emotions over time. this contributes to resilience and the ability to cope with emotional stress.

when using movement mindfully from a meditative state, it encourages mindfulness, which is the ability to observe your inner experience without judgment. this creates an opportunity to fully acknowledge the emotions and sensations within you. by paying attention to these feelings, the brain's emotional regulation circuits (like the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) help you process and release them.

movement is creation. movement is a part of all humans. we all move through life. when we connect to our expression through dance and music, we activate a primal part of ourselves. a part that we all have. moving intuitively means that you are listening to your inner landscape and it is something that really brings you into the present moment. it is a form of meditation, without sitting still. it is a way to move through your emotions, sensations and current circumstances by using your unique creative expression.

intuitive movement is not about moving in a specific way, it is about connecting to your aliveness. intuitive movement is a beautiful, vulnerable and powerful way in which a person can express themself, because there are no words involved, only intentional, raw and authentic energy.

in a movement class we work with intention-setting, before we meditate to calm and clear the minds. this is followed by different somatic exercises to drop into the body. it can also be observing sensations and embracing them. the intention of a movement class is for you to connect to what is alive inside of you in the moment, so that you can strengthen the feeling of moving from a place of truth and empowerment. to notice the differeence between operating from your mind, and start listening to your body.

this is a work that can take long time, but there can also be a lot of realisations in just one class. the body-mind connection is always central in these classes, but depending on the exercises, the themes can be emotional release, exploring different archetypes, grounding, heart-opening, social connection, etc.

in many ways, yoga and intuitive movement have the same purpose. yoga literally means “to unite“ body and mind, meaning that the yoga poses, called asanas, are simply a tool to calm down the mind, so you can move into being. where yoga has a set structure or specific poses to follow, intuitive movement allows you to flow, to claim your center and connect to your most authentic self. intuitive movement is about stepping into your creative self, listening to what is alive – and moving from there. in other words, you are free to play and do whatever your body calls for; to follow the sensations and free your mind from thoughts by becoming so yoga from creating in the present moment.