How somatic movement can help with anxiety

“At the end of the first class, I cried as the back of my body lay softly on the mat and I felt a sense of freedom and expansion.”

By Janet McGregor

Life always offers up a challenge to be explored and learned from. At the start of the Movingness Teacher training in 2022, I was experiencing high anxiety. 

I had felt this very, very unpleasant feeling in the past. However, it faded as feelings do. Fortunately, now I had a bag of tools to manage it.

I’ve been practicing yoga for a long time. For some years, I’ve also been exploring the interoceptive journey. This ‘’novel approach’’ is very appealing to me as it feels closer to the philosophy of yoga and how it should be practiced rather than the empty flexibility competitions that were prevalent at the time.

In my somatic training, I’ve learned to ask crucial questions like “How do you hold your fear and where do you feel it?”

I've also found that I need to look within as if scrutinizing myself in a mirror.

It is a mirror of sensations.

I love swimming in the sea all year round.

Freedom and expansion

When I started my Movingness training, I found that it embraces this slow, somatic inquiry in a way that is accessible to everyone. It’s a journey of discovery, mentally and physically.

Throughout the year I watched myself releasing deeply held trauma in my hips and lower back from years of abuse. I had two hip replacements sometime before the course started and a slight spondylolisthesis in my lumbar spine, which didn’t allow me to easily lie down on the floor. Sometimes I felt like a bow ready to be sprung!

At the end of the first class, I cried as the back of my body lay softly on the mat. I felt a sense of freedom and expansion. The same thing happened each week until I noticed how my body gradually learned to release more quickly.

As the months progressed, I slowly let go into deep release, and I could see the true value of Movingness.

The rolling movements are so delicious!

Deliciously letting go!

The rolling movements, like Summer Breeze and Touching Earth, are so delicious for letting go! Who does not want to lie down and roll about allowing your inner resources to shine while letting go of all the other ‘stuff’?

I’ve taught a men’s group and watched them rolling around like babies, reveling in these offerings of softness in a safe and easily accessible way.

Movingness allowed me to let go of held trauma through somatic movement. It also helped me to reflect on how my body was changing and understand why it was changing. This was aided by the philosophy, psychology, and trauma research integrated into the course. Peter Appel, the founder of Movingness, offered his take on relevant theories, which I looked forward to reading and reflecting upon.

The whole course had a theme of ‘walking’ flowing through it! I ‘learned’ how to walk again starting from the floor on a journey of evolution, moving through water to the land, from spinal movement to four legs and finally two legs.

This was so interesting to me! I’ve had arthritic hips for years so it was exactly what I’d been looking for.

The best thing about being a grandparent is the opportunity to play again!

The creative life source
In my experience, Movingness allows you to connect with the creative life source within. You can ‘marinade’ in wonderful moments, while your nervous system records the memories. And endlessly keep returning.

Peter, just as I am, is curious about the philosophy and psychology of life. He combines this with a wish for peace on earth and human connection. He also realizes the value of humor as we negotiate our vulnerabilities and fears. After all, laughter is the best medicine. Even laughing at our fear is healing!

Now I am ready to strengthen my body! I’m already quite a strong build but I realize I can be even stronger! And, as Peter says, ‘do it in an enjoyable way’!

Age can bring vulnerability and new fears, as life takes a third turn into grandparenthood and the last stage of life. Feeling physically stronger makes me feel less vulnerable.

My three children are now negotiating their own vulnerabilities in household life. I remember them well, they are etched on my skin. I need to be strong now as I watch over them from a distance.

I can only be ready for the everchanging world when I am aware of and feel my vulnerabilities.

Somatic movement keeps me creative, conscious, strong, and curious as I walk more confidently forward!

Janet McGregor

About Janet: 

I’ve been a student of Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and Body Mind Centering for many years. I’ve also practiced with Donna Farhi and Lisa Peterson. I have integrated all this into my own practice over many years and enjoy offering this wisdom to my students who live locally.

I’m a Trauma-sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner having studied with David Treleaven. I’ve spent the last 18 months online, studying the Bhagavad Gita with Swami Tadatmananda.

I offer Yoga and Mindfulness classes privately and facilitate sessions and workshops for the Health Trust and Mental Health Charities. I’m lucky enough to still be teaching after 20 years, not giving up when I had arthritis – but embracing it more.

I love swimming in the sea all year round, films, writing blogs for my website and meeting my friends to discuss our latest escapades and ‘have the craic’ (a laugh), as we say here.

My greatest joy is my granddaughter Eadaoin, who was one year old on Hallow’s Eve. Grandchild number two is due in April 2025. The best thing about being a grandparent is the opportunity to play again! My little family is expanding into future generations who are being protected and cared for by their ancestors, or so I feel.

My website is:

www.beyondmindfulnessni.com

You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram