Past Events
Somatic Mediation Practice: An Online 10 Week Forum
With Erika Berland
Based on her book, Meditation: The Physical Art of Sitting
Mondays, Feb 13 through April 17, 2023
4 PM Pacific/5:00 PM Mountain/6:00 PM Central/ 7:00PM Eastern
Guided Practice Sessions are one hour with additional 1/2 hour discussion forum offered following each session.
10 Sessions: $120
Single Session/Drop-In: $15
Registration: somaticperformer@gmail.com
A gathering of a community of meditators focused on integrating deep experiential knowledge of the somatic body into mindfulness/awareness practice. These one hour sessions will include Erika’s guided somatic instructions based on her book “Sitting: The Physical Art of Meditation,” as well as the opportunity to practice together the heart of meditation as embodied presence.
You can pay for the series or drop in by session. The sessions will be recorded and the recordings will be available for the week so that you can use them to deepen your practice and touch back into the material. As an experienced Meditation Instructor, I am also happy to engage with you privately through email or zoom, if questions arise or individual guidance related to basic meditation practice is requested. Cost: $120. For the 10 sessions. $15. for drop-ins.
Contact Erika at somaticperformer@gmail.com for registration or further information.
Familiarity with Erika’s book is highly recommended since much of the material will be drawn from the book’s information and exercises. Meditation: The Physical Art of Sitting can be purchased online from Amazon. A recording of an in-depth 7 week course based on the book taught by Erika in the Fall of 2020 is also available for purchase directly from Erika.
Online Experiential Anatomy Workshop Series
With Erika Berland
One Session per Month for 10 Months
Saturday Oct 1, 2022—Saturday June 18, 2023
Noon-3:00 Pacific/1:00-4:00 Mountain/2:00-5:00 Central/3:00-5:00 Eastern
Complete Series (10 Sessions): $120
Single Session/ Drop-In: $15
Registration: somaticperformer@gmail.com
Statement by Erika:
I am excited to be able to offer this series of monthly workshops over the period from Sept. 2022- June 2023 for a total of 10 workshops. Each workshop is three hours long and will be recorded for future use by participants. If you are unable to attend a particular workshop you will have access to the recording soon after the event.
You can register for the complete series or for individual workshops. Each workshop will offer a window into a particular body system and aspect of experiential anatomy with the focus on application of the anatomical structures into mind-body experiences through movement, visualization, and mindfulness/awareness principles. Individual workshops are $60. Or the full series can be purchased for a discount at $500. If you are in need of financial assistance, please contact Erika at somaticperformer@gmail.com
These workshops are designed as an introduction to accessing the major body systems based on the experiential anatomy of Body-Mind Centering® while also serving as a review and touch-in for those familiar with the basic material. Some resource materials will be available and each session will include discussion on integrating the material into one’s practice and research.
Here are brief descriptions of each workshop with more details to follow as each workshop comes up.
*Erika will be available for an additional 1/2 hour after each 3hr session for questions and discussion*
# 1 10/01/22 Anatomy of the Breath- pt.1
# 2 10/22/2022Anatomy of the Breath- pt. 2
This 2-part series refers to the experience and understanding of the role of external and internal breathing. We will cover the basic physiology as well as the breath as a primary somatic focus in accessing and re-patterning movement and presence.
#3 11/19/2022 Nervous System
Every change that occurs to the body-mind is registered and coordinated through some aspect of the nervous system. Exquisitely sensitive it organizes and works through all the other body systems to integrate the body-mind into a whole. We will focus on the basic organization of the N.S. with special attention to the “sensory-motor loop” as it supports a somatic, experiential approach.
#4 12/17/22 Endocrine System
The neuroendocrine or glandular system is the main chemical controlling system of the body working together in close harmony with the nervous system. Closely aligned through experiential research with the chakra’s or subtle body systems, we will explore the main glands through visualization, movement, and a special emphasis on sounding as a way to enliven the endocrine system.
#5 1/14/23 Skeletal System
Our skeletal system provides us with structural and psychophysical support, clarity in movement and along with the ligaments; precision and articulation. We will explore the bones through bone tracing, levering, compression/suspension and the major joints through counter-rotation.
# 6 2/18/23 Primary Tone and Related Reflexes
Our primary tone is developed in-utero and is the underlying basis and support for our movement throughout life. Early reflexes also play a role in the ease of the developmental patterns as they develop in the first year of life and set a baseline for complex movement. Exploring these aspects of our development will lend ease to our study and practice of the muscles in our following workshop.
#7 3/18/23 Muscle
The over 700 muscles of the body comprise an incredible tensile 3-dimensional grid both for support, movement of the bones through space and vitality, strength and power. A complex topic, we will touch on the basic functions and more efficient use of the muscles related to the previous workshop’s understanding of primary tone and basic reflexes.
#8 4/15/23 Organs
While the organs carry on the functions of our basic survival, they also support our movement from the inside out, lending organic fullness, presence and a connection to our deep emotional core. We will explore the physical aspect of “core support” that the organs lend to our movement as well as the psychophysical connections of the organs for authenticity and genuine response.
# 9 5/13/23 The Fluids
The body fluids and channels reflect the qualities and rhythms inherent in the circulation of the earth’s fluids; the ocean, rivers and streams, eddies, pools and waterfalls. They are the circulatory system of the body, the ability to “go with the flow.” We will identify the different fluids and resonate with their qualities and rhythms through movement explorations.
#10 6/17/23 The Elemental Body
Our bodies and the body of the earth are interdependent and made out of the same materials and substances. As our bodies resonate with our natural world, we can experience a deeper sense of our own self-care as well as concern for the health of our planet in this crucial time. Having deepened our sense and experience of all the body systems, we will use this time to integrate our somatic experiences through connecting and reflecting on their relationship to the natural world.