Somatic Yoga for Neck and Shoulders - Yoga with Rachel

[@YogawithRachel]

Hello sweet friends 🤗 How are you doing? How did this class feel in your body? What did you observe or notice during your practice? You can explore more somatic yoga practices with me using this link: kzbin.info/aero/PLftdoo4RFfAqVpHLqJiWKmA9eWdcyr2MB Thank you so much for choosing to be here! I appreciate you ❤ Take care 🤗🙏

[@WendiGroce]

This is one is my favorite somatic yoga videos!!

[@YogawithRachel]

Hello Wendi 🤗 I'm so happy to hear this! I hope that this practice continues to serve you well 💕 Take care 🙏

[@goatsontrains]

This was just perfect. I have a chronic illness and can`t always manage to stand for long, but this was just what I needed today to rest and get relaxation and some tension relief.

[@YogawithRachel]

Hello 🤗 I am so happy to hear that this practice served you well ❤️ Thank you for choosing to be here! I hope that you have a wonderful day, and take good care 🙏

[@Noe-zp9xl]

Thank you, thank you and thank you . Specially for the invitation to organic movement and listening to what I need. So important for us to start understanding how to intuitively take care of our self and listening to what we need

[@YogawithRachel]

Hello 🤗 You're so welcome! I appreciate your kind words, feedback and reflections! Yes, somatic practices welcome us to lean into our body's inner wisdom, inviting us to listen and respond to our needs with compassion. Thank you so much for choosing to be here! Enjoy the rest of your day, and take care 🤗

[@Noe-zp9xl]

Thank you❤

[@YogawithRachel]

Hello 🤗 You're welcome 🩷 Thank you so much for sharing your time, energy, and practice with me. Enjoy the rest of your day! Take care 🙏

[@adriannag226]

Thank you

[@YogawithRachel]

You're welcome 🤗 Thank you so much for being here! Take care 🙏

[@jvlcixm]

Out of this world good! It relaxed me so much, I wish it was time to go to bed! Thank you for this amazing practice Rachel

[@YogawithRachel]

Hi 🤗 You are most welcome! I am so happy to hear that you found this practice relaxing! I also felt ready for bed after I finished filming this class. I appreciate you being here, and thank you for your kind comments! Wishing you an amazing rest of your day 💜🙏

[@canadianchica12]

I agree! Felt like a good bedtime practice (and with not much leg or floor work would be easy to do in bed!!)

[@YogawithRachel]

@@canadianchica12 Love this!!! Thank you so much for being here 💜 Enjoy the rest of your day 🤗

[@nattitv45]

Thank you thank you ❤ this was beautiful I felt so good and free…and for blessing us with the wisdom of the wings 🌟

[@YogawithRachel]

Hi there 🤗 You are most welcome! Thank you so much for your kind words and for being here ❤️ I also appreciate your reflections regarding this practice! I love that - I felt so good and free. What a beautiful feeling! I hope that you have an awesome rest of your day. Take care 🙏

[@HillelZeitlin]

Exquisite

[@YogawithRachel]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so happy to hear that this practice served you well 😊 Take care 🙏

[@tishguerrero]

Howdy Rachel. This sounds so soothing and relaxing. My goal is to be able to achieve floor sitting position. Thank you for post. Tish✌🏽

[@YogawithRachel]

Hey Tish! It is so lovely to hear from you 🤗 Thank you so much for your feedback and for sharing your goal with me! You got this!! I appreciate you being here 💕 Take care 🙏

[@mikegunia6537]

Awesome video! Love the fluid motions and effort to integrate releasing the muscles together. I'm able to do some of these exercises at my work desk during the day to help with tension. Thank you again Rachel for sharing!

[@YogawithRachel]

Hey Mike! Thank you so much for your feedback regarding this practice 🤗 Yes! The beauty of this practice is that you can take it with you on the go. I included some of my favorite somatic movements that I explore while I'm working at the computer. It's a great way to check in with your mind and body throughout the day, and move in a way that feels good. Thank you so much for practicing with me! Wishing you an amazing rest of your day 🙏🤗

[@tristantandberg]

Thanks! I liked the easy pose side neck tilt where the opposite hand was reaching out. I also liked ear circles to help relax jaw muscles.

[@YogawithRachel]

Hi Tristan! Thank you for letting me know which movements you enjoyed/felt good in your body! Yes, those ear circles can feel so good for the jaw. It's also a great way to stimulate the vagus nerve, which can help elicit the relaxation response. Thank you so much for joining me on the mat for this somatic practice! Wishing you an amazing rest of your day 🤗🙏

[@linnearasmusson4511]

❤ Hello, I have a few questions, how fast does it take to feel relaxation from stiffness in body doing somatic exercises and is it OK to change excersice everyday or should you do the same ones for a time? How often and how much I believe depends, I do sometimes one or to for an hour in a row. Trying to do everyday but not there yet. I don't exercise Joga anymore because I tend to have contusions easily so I hope somatic exercises will help my body relax and get more elastic ❤😊 Thank You! 🙏

[@YogawithRachel]

Hello 💙 Thank you so much for being here and for your questions! In relation to how fast it can take to experience relaxation is unique to each person. This is because each of us have a unique nervous system with different lived experiences. Somatic practices are essentially a conversation between the brain and the body. It can take time to unlearn or rewire certain pathways that have created the stiffness or the muscular tension in the body. The time is takes is different for each person. With that said, the brain appreciates repetition. Each time you explore a somatic practice, you are giving your brain new information to work with (even if it's the same practice consisting of the same movements). You are actually training your brain to experience what relaxation feels like in your body. In time, you may begin to notice chronically stiff muscles begin to soften. You may notice more space and ease in your body. For example, I used to have chronically tense trapezius muscles as this is an area where I carried a great deal of stress in my body. Through a regular somatic practice, I've shown my brain that there's another option; that I can relax these muscles even if I find myself in a stressful situation. In relation to how often or the amount of time, I'm a firm believe in whatever feels good and nourishing in your body. For me, I view somatic practices as a self-care practice. It's a way to give back to my mind and body at the end of my day. I see it as a loving and compassionate practice. So, it truly depends on what feels good for you 💜 There's no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to somatic practices. I hope that this answers your questions! Enjoy the rest of your day! Take care 🙏🤗