The Space to Feel Workshop

“Somatic mindfulness is informed by one very simple observation: the mind is distracted but the body is not. The body is not thinking or ruminating. It is just feeling and being present, aware, and vibrant. In other words: the body is already mindful.” ~ Willa Blythe Baker

Depending on your vantage point, the world can look like such a hostile environment to be living in right now. I don’t think there’s a person on the planet who has not been affected by global events such as climate change, war or the cost of living - to name but a few.

In the past few decades, with the advent of mobile phones and the proliferation of social media, we are bearing witness to global events at breakneck speed. An event that happened locally can go viral in a matter of minutes. What was a sensational story yesterday is old news by the end of the week. Whether your algorithm is showing you politics, religion or cute puppies - there will always be something that’s going to steal your attention and cause a reaction.

A daily minefield of information is being poured into our brains which elicits thoughts and arouses emotions. The sheer speed at which all this happens doesn’t always give us time to process, and we can become reactionary - the rise of trolling is a good example of this. And if we don’t respond, what happens to that emotion? Maybe it gets pushed down until a later date where venting feels more justified, or we let it fester. Ruminating thoughts create confusion in our brains like static interference on radio waves and can have an impact on our mental health. Build up of unprocessed suppressed emotions also can wreak havoc on our nervous systems, our physical health and energy levels. Inner turmoil seeps into our surroundings and reflects back to us what we are feeling.

In this workshop I am offering a space to notice your thoughts, to feel your emotions, to sit with them, to move them through your mind and body, to disperse them. A chance to slow down the erratic brain chatter, to feel where you are holding the hucha (heavy energy) of your emotions in your body. My intention is to foster a social experience in a community of like-minded souls who want to raise their vibration for the good of themselves and the collective, in order to radiate a more harmonious frequency out into the world. Being mindful that we are a microcosm of the macrocosm - be the spring you want to drink from.

If this workshop is for you:

I want everyone to be able to do something physical in this workshop, which is why I’m taking the focus away from yoga and more to Somatics. It’s for the activist in you, for personal transformation, going beyond the comfort zone, mental health, emotional awareness, harmonious embodiment. I hope there will be something to take away for everyone.

There will be:

• Homemade Belfast Love Bombs

• Andean energy work

• Somatic movements for emotional release

• Breath work

• Quantum field meditation

• Earth resonance drumming

A note about the venue:

Vault Artist Studios is the largest provider of affordable studios in Northern Ireland for artist of all genres. In order to make these spaces cost effective they cut down on overheads, such as heating. Although there will be a few electric heaters, this is still a cold space, I will be warming you up with some exercises, but when you are in stillness you may be cold.

I suggest you bring whatever you need to keep yourself comfortable:

• A yoga mat

• A cushion

• Blanket

• Eye mask

• Hot water bottle

• Hat, gloves, extra socks

Sliding Scale for Payment and how it works:

On the booking page, you will find a sliding scale for payment for this workshop. I want to make it affordable for all, whilst covering my costs. If you have to take the lower end of the scale, please take that option without judgement. If you can afford a bit more, that will help to balance out the lower end of the scale and pay it forward for someone else.

25% of the proceeds from this workshop will go directly to the Raida family. A family dear to my heart who live in Gaza.

I look forward to greeting you all

Helena