Release Negativity Through Movement

Topics surrounding health and wellness – whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual – are personal and unique to each individual. Because wellness is so personal, talking about it with others can be uncomfortable, and the idea of beginning a wellness journey for the first time can create anxiety. But you don’t have to let this fear stop you from improving the health of your mind, body and spirit. Achieving a wholesome balance between the three is what Somatic Sculpt is all about.

Somatic Sculpt is a cathartic workout that blends fitness, Kundalini yoga and ecstatic dance. Assistant Director of Wellness Meghan Henley says it’s designed to release heavy energy and stressors, patterns of negativity and false beliefs.

“We check in and tap into our mind-body connection through the breath and maintain it throughout the workout,” says Meghan. “The movements are simple but repeated for extended periods of time to encourage participants to push past their perceived limitations and dig deep to grow. We take multiple breaks throughout to focus on the breath and release tension through shaking, sighing or sometimes even yelling.”

Somatic Sculpt classes are limited to five guests and an instructor, all wearing noise-canceling headphones. Through the headphones, participants will hear heart-pumping music as well as simple instruction, motivational cues and encouragement from the instructor. Each class lasts 50 minutes and takes place with the lights out and shades pulled in Blackberry Mountain’s Embodiment Lab. The glow of the headphones provides just enough light to see the mat and the instructor, therefore limiting outside distractions and making it easier to find full release.

Each Somatic Sculpt class has a theme. The chakra theme, for instance, moves through the seven chakras starting from the root and working up through the crown. Instructors have one to two songs dedicated to each chakra and spend a little time talking about the designated chakra and how to focus on it both during class and in day-to-day life. An example could be the Sacral Chakra – the center of emotions, creativity, sensuality and passion. Participants may use hip circles or any fluid creative movement for this energy center.

Another theme is evolution: the idea that throughout our lives, on both a short and long-term basis, we are consistently evolving by adapting to life's changes. In class, this can look like pushing yourself to embrace the discomfort of unstructured movement and instead reframing it as an opportunity to allow your body to move freely, no matter how that looks to yourself or others. Instructors also spend time at the end of class visualizing what participants want their ideal self to look like (how they move, dress, interact with others, etc.) Participants take time to acknowledge at least one thing that they love about their current self and one thing they want to expand on.

“Overall, I encourage the class to use these 50 minutes as a time to fill your own cup before going back out into the world so that you can help fill others,” says Meghan.

Given the private, personal feel of Somatic Sculpt, it makes a great class for those who want an experience that feels specialized and judgement-free. For those who are new to or just beginning their wellness journey, Somatic Sculpt is a perfect first step to get in tune with the different dimensions of your health and gain confidence in your personal approach to wellness.

Learn more about available classes and opportunities to move at Blackberry Mountain.