The Somatic Strength Collective

Yoga is a bit preoccupied with muscles, Yin perhaps a bit too preoccupied with joints and connective tissues. But there is another element to healthy movement that is being influenced in our practice, in all of our movement really... that's the nerves. 

This practice puts the other tissues in a supporting role in favor of mobilizing, and gaining awareness of our nerves. Especially the ones that exit the thoracic region of the spine. We will use somatic and a bolster to gently mobilize the nerves and soften the experience of the spine. 

This is a wonderful practice to return to if you frequently have a stiff or painful upper back. 

Props needed: bolster, block(s), blanket

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

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Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

How can Yin Yoga and nervous system communication unearth your unique and authentic voice? Join us on a fascinating journey with Elise Besler, a Yin Yoga teacher, musician, and leadership coach, as she sheds light on the intricate interplay between our nervous system, yoga practice, and the environment we create in our classes. We delve deep into intriguing topics such as polyvagal theory, trauma, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome, with practical strategies that you can implement right away.

Elise pulls back the curtain on the power of Neurosomatic Intelligence and co-regulation, emphasizing their crucial roles in leadership, teaching, and learning. She shares her personal journey of finding her distinct teaching voice, offering invaluable perspective on the challenges new teachers might face. We also unravel the complex relationship between the vocal cords, the vagus nerve, and the heart, showcasing their impact on our ability to communicate our truths.

No discussion would be complete without addressing imposter syndrome. Discover how regulating our nervous system can help heal it and why boundaries and chronic pain may be protective outputs of your nervous system. Finally, we touch on self-compassion and personal growth resources, including Elise's website, Instagram, and podcast, The Embodied Leader. This episode promises a refreshing perspective and practical tools to navigate your yoga journey and beyond. Prepare to be enlightened, inspired, and empowered. Tune in now!

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
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Instagram
TicToc
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Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

Some of these poses are unfamiliar! If you need a visual, Click for a pose gallery of this practice.
 
We don’t usually think about inversions in Yin. So to introduce them into a mild practice takes a bit of creativity and, in this case a bolster and a strap. The poses will emphasize the hips but our true purpose is to encounter something new, something novel. Throughout the practice you’ll be contemplating some features of your nervous system and learning ways to keep your brain sharp, flexible and vibrant throughout your life span.

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
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Instagram
TicToc
YouTube

Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

The podcast is still on break for a couple more weeks. But that doesn't mean that we aren't hard at work on future episodes. As I plan the rest of the 4th season, I can't help but wonder what YYP listeners would like more of.

In fact, this information is so valuable to me, that it's worth a $104 Hugger Mugger bolster. No. Two of them!

I'd love your input. Please just take a few minutes to chime in on your interests. Your responses will help me as I plan the rest of season 4 and as I prepare for season 5!

Access the survey here: https://forms.gle/djQX2JDRXHEYmi2B9

You will be entered in the giveaway upon submitting your responses. 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
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Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

I'm on break for the next couple of months but will be returning with fresh new episodes on July 26.

You can keep practicing with me this Summer in The Shift School! 

Take advantage of this special deal and get unlimited access to The Shift School for 50% off. You'll get dozens of Yin practices, somatics and even strength based Vinyasa. Join the 3 month strength challenge to build muscle, or learn how to reduce your pain with a Step by Step Pain Care program. Get in a quick movement snack or stress relief practice with our library of bite sized practices. 

It's all at your fingertips for just $99. That's just $33 a month for practices, courses, education and community.

Join the Shift School: https://theshiftschool.com/register/shift-school-summer-membership/

Let's connect! Follow me on:
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TicToc
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Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

This practice is all about the lower body. But we will work with the feet, ankles, knees, thighs and hips with an unorthodox somatic lens, the toes. You will be delighted to discover how influential these appendages are in your poses and movements and your knees and ankles will thank you for the attention.

This practice is geared especially to my listeners with foot, ankle and knee pain, but anyone with a lower body will enjoy this unique practice.

Props Needed: Blanket, bolster or pillow, yoga strap

Join my 7 day email course, Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire. It's free! https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yin-yoga-poses-email-course/

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
Facebook
Instagram
TicToc
YouTube

Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

A quick guided somatic meditation to help you to learn how to comfort yourself. I have loosely based this meditation on the teachings of Kristen Neff. She tells us that we and we alone are the most capable of comforting ourselves. In this practice you will offer yourself warmth and comfort. This is a valuable skill that can help us to manage stress. 

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Enroll in one of my email courses to join my newsletter:
Intro to Pain Care
Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
Facebook
Instagram
TicToc
YouTube

Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

The human neck is a tricky place. It's a complex experience of musculoskeletal, nervous and vascular tissue. But also bound to thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Any of these components of the neck can contribute to issues here.  

For this pod practice I have created a somatic lesson to address this complexity. We will lean mostly in to somatics here with just a couple of Yin poses for gentle tension of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM). This is a very simple practice that you could even do in your bed. All you need is something to rest/slide your head on. 

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
Facebook
Instagram
TicToc
YouTube

Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

A debate that rages on. Some students swear by the benefit of of deep and intense duration stretch. Some by a milder attitude for the length of the hold. 

Though I think it’s clear that I personally favor the latter, I also think that it depends on your goal for practice. So let’s first consider the goals and then some of the evidence. 

This is a very informative episode that just may transform your practice and/or teaching. 

So pop those earbuds in and have a listen!

 To continue learning about the science of Yin, enroll in my Yin Yoga Teacher Training! Module I is online and self guided. Learn the evidence and how to apply it to your practice or teaching. Learn more: https://yoga.mandyryle.com/yin-yoga-teacher-training/

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
Facebook
Instagram
TicToc
YouTube

Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions

While you marinate in juicy poses targeting the hips, we will explore a the duality of resistance and acceptance. You will have an opportunity to discover how these qualities manifest themselves in your tissues, in your poses and indeed in your entire experience of self. 

We will not dogmatically attempt to annihilate resistance, rather, I will teach you how to view this struggle with compassion and show you a way to be with your suffering as taught in Classical Yoga philosophy. 

This is a very powerful practice and it feels great too.

Props needed: Bolster, blanket and a sandbag or two if you have them. (if not it's totally fine!

Transformational Self Care
A Late Winter Wellness Retreat in the Dominican Republic
March 3-10, 2023

Join me for a 7 day Caribbean wellness retreat. Each day we will focus on a pillar of self care. By the end of the week you will have a group of new friends, some unforgettable memories and a personal self care strategy to enhance your life back at home.  Learn More 

Let's connect! Follow me on:
Facebook
Instagram
TicToc
YouTube

Free Resources:
Master the Yin Yoga Pose Repertoire: 7 Day Email Course
Introduction to Pain Care Yoga
Practice Gallery Workbook - 6 go to sequences with pictorial instructions