Somatic Exercises For Dummies

Reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve your overall health with somatic exercise

Are you ready to relax, feel, and move better? Do you want to reduce anxiety, eliminate stress, and release tension in a healthy and natural way? Then grab a copy of Somatic Exercise For Dummies and start healing yourself from within!

In the book, renowned yoga, meditation and Pilates teacher Kristin McGee explains how you can use somatic exercise to strengthen the mind-body connection through movement. In simple, straightforward terms, the author explains exactly what somatic exercise is, how to do it, and what it can help you achieve. Learn to use breathwork, yoga, dance, Qigong, assisted movement, and more to help you with everything from your posture to flexibility and inner calm.

You'll:

• Discover focused exercises for overcoming trauma, finding joy, and increasing your wellbeing
• Fight chronic pain and enhance physical wellness with safe, natural methods
• Find step-by-step instructions—with photos—to help you perform each movement correctly

Life is complicated. Wellness doesn't have to be! Get Somatic Exercise For Dummies to get started with one of the simplest, most effective, and fun ways to feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually better.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Acquainted with Somatic Basics 5

Chapter 1: Somatic Movement in a Nutshell 7

Chapter 2: Appreciating the Benefits of Somatic Exercises 17

Chapter 3: Preparing for Your Somatic Journey 35

Part 2: Exploring Fundamental Somatic Practices 57

Chapter 4: Inhaling and Exhaling: Somatic Breathwork 59

Chapter 5: Step by Step: Somatic Movements 77

Chapter 6: Other Somatic Practices. 101

Part 3: Integrating Somatic Exercises Into Daily Life 123

Chapter 7: Using Somatic Solutions for Stress Relief 125

Chapter 8: Improving Your Posture and Flexibility with Somatic Exercises 147

Chapter 9: Enhancing Your Sleep with Somatic Techniques 165

Part 4: Taking Your Somatic Practice to the Next Level 189

Chapter 10: Incorporating Meditation 191

Chapter 11: Uncovering Advanced Techniques 217

Chapter 12: Creating Somatic Flow Sequences 239

Part 5: Living a Somatic Lifestyle 263

Chapter 13: Addressing Specific Needs with Somatic Exercises. 265

Chapter 14: Incorporating Somatic Exercises into Your Fitness Routine 297

Chapter 15: Maintaining a Lifelong Somatic Practice 317

Part 6: The Part of Tens 341

Chapter 16: Ten Common Misconceptions About Somatic Exercises 343

Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Enhancing Your Somatic Experience 351

Index 359

Kristin McGee is a nationally recognized celebrity yoga and Pilates teacher. She has appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan, Good Morning America, The Today Show and has been featured in Health, Shape, Vogue, and Women’s Health. McGee helped launch the Peloton yoga, meditation, and Pilates program.

Naturally and safely reduce anxiety, stress, and pain

Are you ready to relax, feel calm, and move better? In Somatic Exercises For Dummies, you’ll learn to reduce anxiety, stress, tension, and pain in a healthy and natural way as you heal yourself from within. Yoga instructor to the stars, Kristin McGee, explains how to strengthen the mind-body connection through deliberate movement. She walks you through what somatic exercise is, how to do it, and what it can do for your body, mind, and mood. Use breathwork, yoga, dance, stretching, and assisted movement to improve everything from posture to your sense of inner peace.

Inside…

• Improve your physical wellbeing
• Reduce chronic pain naturally
• Strengthen the mind-body connection
• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Boost your mood
• Release tension
• Exercise safely and without pain
• Overcome trauma and find joy