Somatic Dance - with Matthew Nelson
Somatic dance is a movement practice that integrates body awareness, mindfulness, and free-form movement to promote physical, emotional, and energetic well-being. It emphasizes internal sensation, rather than external appearance, allowing participants to move in ways that feel natural and intuitive.
Key Aspects of Somatic Dance:
Body Awareness – Encourages listening to bodily sensations and responding organically.
Nervous System Regulation – Helps release stored tension, shift stuck energy, and create a sense of safety in movement.
Expressive Freedom – Unlike structured dance styles, somatic dance is about moving from an inner impulse rather than following steps or choreography.
Mind-Body Connection – Integrates breath, sensation, and movement to deepen presence and embodiment.
Emotional Release – Creates space for unprocessed emotions to surface and move through the body.
Healing & Integration – Supports trauma release, nervous system balance, and a deeper sense of connection with oneself.
Benefits:
Releases chronic tension and habitual holding patterns.
Cultivates a sense of freedom and vitality in the body.
Enhances emotional resilience and nervous system regulation.
Deepens presence, self-expression, and connection to inner wisdom.
Supports integration of body-mind awareness into daily life.
Summary
Matthew Nelson discusses the integration of dance and movement as therapeutic practices, emphasising the application of Laban Movement Analysis in understanding and enhancing body movements. He explores the role of body awareness in therapy, particularly how movement can serve as a medium for psychological healing and expression. This session delves into the philosophical and practical aspects of using dance as a form of somatic therapy, highlighting the inherent connection between physical movement and emotional well-being. Nelson advocates for a mindful approach to movement, encouraging a conscious awareness of how movements can influence emotions and mental states, and vice versa.
Key Learning Outcomes
Understanding Somatic Research through Dance: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how dance can be used as a somatic research tool to explore and integrate bodily sensations, emotions, and movements, facilitating personal growth and healing.
Recognising the Importance of Phrasing and Flow in Movement: Identify and apply the concepts of phrasing (beginning, middle, and end of movements) and flow (continuous movement) in dance to enhance body awareness and somatic experience.
Key Concepts
Somatic Therapy: The use of body awareness and movement techniques to aid in therapy and healing processes, recognizing the interconnectedness of body and mind.
Laban Movement Analysis: A method and language for describing, visualising, interpreting, and documenting human movement, developed by Rudolf Laban.
Phrasing: The process of structuring movement and experiences into a beginning, middle, and end, which helps in understanding and integrating various aspects of our existence, both physically and emotionally.
Somatic Research: Treating body movements as an internal science experiment to gain insights into one’s own physical and emotional state.
Free Flow and Bound Flow: These are aspects of movement where free flow denotes unrestricted, natural movement, and bound flow indicates controlled, deliberate movement. Both are essential in dance therapy to explore different states of being.
Embodiment: The practice of fully inhabiting one’s body through movement, which can lead to deeper self-awareness and emotional release.
Definitions
Kundalini: A form of energy believed to lie coiled at the base of the spine, which can be awakened through certain practices, leading to spiritual enlightenment and physical benefits.
Eros: Not just sexuality, but a broader concept of life energy and vitality that encompasses creativity, desire, and aliveness.
Connect with Matthews work
Matthew Nelson is a dedicated somatic trainer and dance educator based in Boise, Idaho. With over 28 years of experience in modern dance and somatic practices, Matthew integrates techniques like Laban Movement Analysis, Feldenkrais, and authentic movement. He focuses on using dance as a form of somatic research to explore and understand the body’s innate wisdom and healing potential.
Matthew's sessions combine structured somatic exercises with free-form ecstatic dance, creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals to connect with their bodies and explore new ways of being. His work emphasizes body awareness, emotional well-being, and relational dynamics, fostering environments that support vulnerability and personal transformation.
For more information and connect:
Website: somaticsanctuary.com
Instagram: @somaticsanctuary
