Autumn Woods (2022) www.naturebeingart.org

"Breathing is an integrated movement of the human form. Breathing is a spontaneous organic movement. It doesn't require a belief system to uphold it. Breathing is a gift to the body and to the being in and around the body. We don't have to earn our life breath; it is given to us freely." - Stephen Schwartz

"Our economic system and our planetary system are now at war. What the climate needs to avoid collapse is a contraction in humanity's use of resources. What our economic model demands to avoid collapse is unfettered expansion. Only one of these sets of rules can be changed, and it's not the laws of nature." - Naomi Klein

Dear Friends,

Almost 20 years ago, the term Ecosomatics was created in my professional community - The International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA). This merging of ecology and body, the inseparability of the outer and inner landscapes, had been a through line in my work and life for many years so I was thrilled to see a formal acknowledgement of this concept.

ISMETA members represent diverse traditions centered on the life of the body in its psycho-physical-spiritual wholeness. We are guides for navigating the nature within; and the unique collective wisdom of ISMETA practitioners is a vital resource for undertaking and truly understanding embodied awareness and action.

Movement is change; and the nature of life on the planet today is rapid change. You can either dance with the change or dig in your heels, but the movement of life processes, like the movement of your breath, carries on - no matter what you choose.

So how can we choose to collaborate with the planetary system and its wants and needs? What can our somatic practices reveal to us about boundaries, permeability, resilience and flexibility for not only adapting to change, but for embracing change and the resulting unknown advantages? Scaling down is not necessarily deprivation; nor is stepping back a retreat. The planetary body needs our assistance in breaking the fever for all of us!

It is in this spirit of co-regulation and healing that I am initiating "Earth Matters: Ecosomatics in the Anthropocene", a series of cross-pollinating conversations between ISMETA members and contributors from different disciplines, all of whom are approaching planetary dysregulation in unique, creative, and proactive ways. The first hour-long conversation on Monday, October 9 is for ISMETA members only - who can register here - with future conversations open to all. These will be announced in my next newsletter.

I envision this series as an incubator for everyday actions that can enliven and deepen our connection and commitment to life - in whatever form and frequency that action takes. May it be so!

Warmly,

Jamie

PS I hope to see you online in Thinking Body, Sensing Mind sessions beginning next week; in the Embodied Mindfulness Fall series that began last week; or in November for Tending and Befriending. Details and links below.

Thinking Body, Sensing Mind: Inner Journeys Through Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) is a progressive sequence of journeys through the interior landscape of the body. We take a restorative break from the demands of the outer world by lying down, getting comfortable and relaxing into ourselves to experience “sensate presence” – a non-conceptual form of thinking with sensation. Each session builds on the one prior, generating a repeatable repertoire of resources from the five basic somatic technologies - breath, vocalization, contact, movement and stillness - available for clearing the mind and regenerating the body in daily life.

Series G: Mondays, 4-5:15pm PT/ 7-8:15pm ET, October 9 - November 27

$100-200 (Sliding Scale based on economic means)

Series H: Wednesdays, 10-11:15am PT/ 1-2:15pm ET/ 7-8:15 CET

October 11 - December 6 (no class November 22)

$100-200 (Sliding Scale based on economic means)

Embodied Mindfulness: A Somatic-Expressive Approach to Stillness is an easily repeatable daily somatic sitting practice for cultivating greater degrees of comfort, patience and perspective. Designed for the modern body/mind, these embodied practices orchestrate somatic activities of breath, vocalization, contact, and movement to occupy attention and settle the body so you can dwell comfortably within your own interior. Over the course of the program, you will accumulate a broad-based repertoire of 24 somatic sitting practices to choose from based on your “inner weather” and particular needs.

Last Chance to Join Module 1 this week: Tuesdays, 10-11:30am PT/ 1-2:30pm ET/ 7-8:30 CET, October 3 - December 19

Tending and Befriending our Inner Ecosystem with the 5 Somatic Technologies

The five indigenous technologies embedded in us by nature for physiological and psychological health are Breath, Vocalization, Contact, Movement and Stillness. In this 3-hour online session, we will alternate practice of each of the five technologies with reflection and theory. Video playbacks and hand-outs will be provided for each participant to continue their own self-study with the practices offered. This will be a content-rich, relaxed space for exploring your body’s multiple possibilities for collaboration and self-regulation.

November 5: 9am-noon PT/ noon-3pm ET/ 18:00-21:00 CET

$35-100 (Sliding Scale based on economic means)

Jamie McHugh, MSMT is an interdisciplinary artist, somatic movement specialist and the creator of Somatic Expression® - Body Wisdom for Modern Minds. His somatic-expressive practices for re-wilding the body, mending the mind and restoring the spirit have been inspired by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Emilie Conrad, Anna Halprin, Thich Nhat Hanh and the wild places of the planet, and by working with diverse groups of people internationally for over 40 years. Jamie continues to study and research the mystery of the body as an element of nature and as an expression of our humanity. 

FEATURED VIDEO:

InterBeing (2022)