What is Somatic Yoga?

Kathleen_Somatic2.jpg

My personal journey with Somatic Yoga was one of healing and awakening. As one of my teachers, Gabriel Halpern, would say: "The issues are in the tissues". Because Somatics asks its' students to turn inward, it's impossible not to face those hidden (or not-so-hidden) issues.

Somatic Yoga helped me release both emotional and physical pain that I had been harboring in my body for years. After each class with my Somatics teacher, Erin Cowan, I would leave feeling both relaxed and invigorated.

Because Somatic Yoga helped me gain insight and holistic healing over my body, part of my mission is bringing this practice to my students. This is why I teach Somatic Yoga classes and integrate these simply teachings in my other classes.

What does this practice look like? The Somatic Yoga practice is simple and accessible to everyBODY. Usually practiced lying on the back or stomach on a firm, but comfortable surface, Somatics Yoga asks the students to assess the body, to move slowly, and to use the breath. 

All you're physically doing in this therapeutic and gentle practice is contracting and releasing muscles groups while breathing. So simple! 

Some Benefits:

  • Balancing the body's reactionary (fight/flight) tendencies

  • Release of tension and stress stored in the body

  • Release of emotional and mental traumas (also stored in the body)

  • Relaxation of chronically contracted muscle groups

Photo by Madeline Northway

Photo by Madeline Northway

seated2 kgk.jpg

Welcome to Radical Healing with Kathleen Katsikeas

I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m an integrative, holistic therapist and yoga instructor; I believe that there is empowering and radical healing in the connection between mental health and the body. As a practicing clinician, I am available for therapy sessions through Center CBM. As a trauma-focused yoga instructor, I teach public classes through Room to Breathe, along with corporate/office and individual yoga sessions. Would love to connect with you!

Best wishes,

Kath

Intrusive thoughts take you away from the present moment. They seemingly pop up out of nowhere and feel all-consuming (and exhausting). ACCEPTS (yup, another DBT tool set) is a great place to start when you find yourself ruminating on those intrusi
Self-sabotaging behavior is a reaction to fear - often a fear of success. It's understandable because we are trying our best to protect ourselves from pain by "controling the situation". But in the end, after all the avoiding, we are missin
Being assertive and holding healthy boundaries is tough af. AND you deserve to have your need and wants heard. There's nothing wrong with you for needing space and boundaries - healthy boundaries are exactly that...healthy! Here are some tips: 🍁Sa
One of my favorite things to teach clients (especially my teens) is TIPP skills!! 🧠 TIPP stands for: -Temperature (like holding an icecube) 🌡️🧊 -Intense Exercise (jumping jacks for 5mins) 🏃‍♀️ -Paced Breathing (4 count inhale, 4 exhale) 🌬️ -
“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill
Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt
Chase after money & security, and your heart will never unclench
Seek others’ approval of you and you will be their prisoner

Do the work, then step back. The only path to serenity”
”
— Tao Te Ching, Verse 9