Foundational Somatics Course: embodied wellbeing & psycho-education
Foundational Somatics is Collective Being’s introductory somatic course. Facilitated over six-weeks, this course introduces participants to a somatic framework for wellbeing, anchored in body-mind strategies for nervous system regulation and embodied resilience. Informed by somatic and mindfulness theory, evidence-based embodiment practices, and an awareness of the intersections between health, wellbeing and agency, this course has no prerequisite knowledge and is open to all.
About this course:
Utilising a trauma-informed and mental health aware approach, our Foundations course covers six core themes, each with associated somatic practices and reflective prompts. The course also integrates group discussion and space for additional topics or themes that may emerge, based on the group’s interests and experiences.
Why somatics?
Somatics (body-based) practices have been demonstrated to effectively increase both mental and physical health. Research on somatic practices, such as grounding, centering, and body-based mindfulness, indicates stress reduction, mental health improvements, and physical health improvements. These practices can also increase interoceptive awareness, which is crucial for emotional regulation and stress management, and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression (Mehling et al., 2009; Farb et al., 2013; Kabat-Zinn, 1990; Grossman et al., 2004). Somatic practices may also improve mindfulness and presence, which are linked to better mood and reduced rumination (Grossman et al., 2004).
Additionally, somatic practices are associated with reductions in physiological stress markers, such as cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, contributing to an overall reduction in stress (Maté, 2011). These practices also improve relaxation responses by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting the body's fight-or-flight response (Porges, 2011). Additionally, somatic techniques are beneficial for managing chronic pain by increasing body awareness and modulating the perception of pain, and they contribute to better sleep quality by reducing stress and promoting relaxatio (Mehling et al., 2011; Morin et al., 2009; Ogden et al., 2006).
Who is this program for?
This program is open to all. No prior experience of somatics or meditation are required. Please note that this program is trauma-informed and mental health aware, however it is not a therapeutic adjunct. If you are looking for a more therapeutic program, please check out the details for our Trauma Sensitive Yoga Program (in-person and online).
What to expect?
As a core Collective Being course, Foundational Somatics inherently acknowledges and honours the lived experience and wisdom of participants, and affirms their rights to make choices about their own bodies. Whether delivered in-person or online, the course aims to support and be adaptive to diverse learning and access needs.
“Wellbeing is not just the absence of illness, but the presence of strengths”
— Deb Dana
What participants say about our Foundations course
Each session of this 6 week course will be gently themed, and intuitively guided by your facilitator. Each session will feature a combination of guided embodiment practice, education in the form of prompts and discussion, and personal processing through journaling, drawing and/or sharing.
Each week we cover a different theme:
Week 1: Introduction and Personal Intentions
Week 2: Guiding Principles for Embodied Wellbeing
Week 3: Orienting
Week 4: Grounding
Week 5: Centring
Week 6: Resourcing
*Please note that this program is designed for personal learning and is not a training. As such, no certificates will be provided at the end of the course.
Program Model
Join or organise a Foundations Course
Join a public Foundations course
We regularly run this course for the public in an online format. To find out when our next public iteration of Foundations is, check out the ‘What’s On’ page of our website.
Arrange a course for your clients/staff
If you are interested in arranging a course for your clients or staff, please reach out to our Programs Coordinator Alexia directly (alexia@collectivebeing.org)
