A powerful Somatic method developed by Michaela Boehm over the past two decades of instruction and practice. The method is rooted in her early training in Kashmiri Shaivism and fused with her extensive expertise in working with trauma, emotional closures and physical contractions to release old patterns and traumas from our bodies.
Benefits of the method:
Regulates the Nervous System
The demands of modern life create stress and tension in the body and an overactive mind. NLMM encourages the identification and unwinding of contraction patterns. Through gentle, non-force movements bodily tension and underlying mental loops are relieved. The result is a systematic, self-guided unburdening of the nervous system.
Processes and Identifies Emotions
As the body unwinds and the mind relaxes its pressured pace, the emotions associated with these contractive patterns become apparent and can be dissolved through the movement. You can note recurring emotional loops for further processing and at the same time allow emotions to simply arise and let go.
Releases Trauma Patterns into Flow
One of the common results of traumatic experience (fresh and old alike) is “freeze”, a state in which body, mind and emotions are stuck in a state of numbness. Often “freeze” is falsely perceived as a feeling of “calm/nothing”, which results in an inability to release the experience and ease the bodily patterns of hold. NLMM facilitates a continued movement, which gently opens the freeze pattern and allows for recognition and release of the underlying bodily and emotional patterns.
Unites Mind and Body in Intimacy with Physical Sensation
Through continued engagement with the release of contraction and facilitation of emotional awareness, the ingrained patterns become both more apparent and less pronounced. Over time, physical sensations can be more fully engaged with, and the acceptance as well as tolerance of all sensations increases. Intimacy with whatever is present is possible. Body, Emotion and Mind can align to support an integrated approach to feeling and understanding existing behavioural patterning.
Creates High Bodily Responsiveness
NLMM educates the body on how to release and process contractions, stress and emotional tension while at the same time sensitising you to your internal landscape. This is called “Interoception”, the ability to feel what is “inside”. Via the body, we become highly attuned to all sensations and can note, react or release fluidly and without having to attend to traumatic or suppressed backlog.
Opens Access to Bodily Wisdom
By putting emphasis on movement and circumventing the analytical mind and loops of tense thinking, the natural intelligence of our bodies is accessed. Through gentle guidance, the mechanisms of “freeze” and refusal to feel are being loosened and our innate bodily wisdom can create the necessary actions and releases.
Awakens Vital Energy and Sensual Sensation
As tension, contraction, and emotion are being released, the body becomes sensitised and we are able to feel deeper. One of the marked results of this sensitisation is an ability to feel increased pleasure and well-being. Participants report an increased ability to connect through their body, both with themselves and others.
NLMM is facilitated on a mat or blanket. Participants dress similar to a Yoga or dance class, in comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. The method can be practised at any age, fitness level and mobility. The movements are designed to be self-regulating and can be done in any position, including lying down.
With Mavra Root, Comprehensive Pilates instructor, Somatic Practitioner and Somatic trauma-informed Coach
£15