What are Soul Oriented Somatic Sessions?
Soul Oriented Somatic Sessions are one on one work with Vanessa to support you in navigating your life with more awareness, ease, focus and grace. We will both talk and use various embodied (somatic) practices to equip you with tools to hear and interrupt the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) messages that your body, emotions and life are sending you. In the sessions we will be present with whatever sensation, emotion or pattern is showing up, harnessing the energy and wisdom innate in it. Rather than trying to to fix, subdue or change what is happening, we explore safe ways to respond and move with what is arising.
Our “Soul” is the essence of who each of us is, with unique gifts to offer the world, expressed through, but existing beyond, the body, personality, thoughts or circumstances of your life. It is the animating energy of our lives - and is always guiding us to the lessons we are ready to explore and learn, often disrupting the plans or certainties our minds had created. Instead of focusing primarily on specific outcomes you want to achieve, this coaching supports you in orienting your focus to more easily access resources you have within and around, safely be with your body and emotions, identify your unique gifts, manifest the qualities you most desire and allow you to flow thru the uncertainties of life with more trust, grace and energy.
What are the Sessions Like?
The sessions are a chance for you to share whatever is feeling most present for you that day. You are encouraged to share any emotions, physical sensations, relationship dynamics or circumstances you’d like support with navigating, and/or themes and patterns you are noticing arising. You can not say the "wrong" thing and every part of you is welcomed for exploration.
In addition to coaching you with questions and reflections, Vanessa will also be inviting you to tune into your embodied experience as you share, as well as guiding you through various somatic practices to support a more embodied experience. Often she will offer you a focus point, question or "omwork" to play with before the next session.
Vanessa is not a licensed therapist, and these sessions are not meant to take the place of talk therapy. VaNessa is guide and coach to support you in cultivating the curiosity, compassion, space and calm to align more effortlessly with your passions and desires in life.
The sessions last either 30 or 60 minutes, with the shorter sessions most appropriate for quick check-ins or somatic practices only, and the full sessions for more spacious exploration and coaching.
What are Somatic Practices?
The word somatic comes from the root word "soma" meaning "body." Somatic awareness involves tuning into who you are as an embodied being with sensations, emotions and awareness that are distinct from conscious thought or mental understanding. A.k.a. - the knowing and communication that exists beyond your thoughts.
Vanessa has been working as a wellness professional since 2003, and has trained in a large variety of embodied practices. She draws from these practices in sessions using various practices depending on what is feeling resonate in the moment. In addition to inviting you to share what you notice happening in your body throughout the session, somatic practices may also include Somato Respiratory Integration (SRI), Guided Meditation, Acupressure, Restorative and gentle Yoga, Pranayama, Mindfulness and often just getting curious and playful with inviting new ways to move, make sound and emote.
Remote Sessions
Sessions are done remotely over Zoom. You will need to make sure you have a strong, consistent internet connection, a quiet place where are you can be uninterrupted and, if possible, a space on the floor where you can lay down on a yoga mat or blanket and still be seen by the camera. If video calling is not available for you, we can arrange a phone session instead.
Letter from Laurie D., long time client of
Vanessa's, after a Soul Oriented Living Session:
"Hi Vanessa - I just wanted to share something interesting from our session. I had some more releasing later last evening and what was really powerful and resulted in the most profound release was giving my 3 year old MOM love and acceptance.
I really felt that, and knew it was her, and it was amazing to really feel that I was freeing her child and how tied to my own freedom that is. Crazy.
I’m so grateful every day for the growth and insights you facilitate in my life. You always see into my soul and seem to know where the point of realization is, and that is such a gift. Thank you for sharing it!!"
-Laurie D, San Francisco, CA
Read More Testimonials About Vanessa's Work Here