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On Zoom
Dates: February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 13, 20
7-week class series on Mondays 11-11:45am EST
$115 Registration deadline February 5th
BIPOC pay-what-you-want
* Reach out if money is a barrier
Somatic practice supports us to intentionally connect with our physical bodies, our emotions, our minds, and how we relate to the world outside us. Through these practices we can study our patterning in each of these “layers” of ourselves and how the different layers overlap. This work can be incredibly useful for getting to know ourselves better, shifting habitual patterns, and creating a healing path. It is also a powerful tool for understanding how and why we relate to others and the world around us, and how societal power structures impact our choices.
In Somatic Meditation, we will begin with an introduction to the day’s focus and then move into guided practice. Most of the practice in this class will be in stillness, sometimes sitting, sometimes lying down, sometimes standing. We may also explore some movement or walking, depending on where the group’s interest goes!
Everyone, all bodies, all experience levels are welcome in this class. Though this is a particularly helpful class for people who have done Somatic Study and Explorations with me. Somatic Meditation is both foundational practice and where much of the more advanced work happens.
“Neva’s class gave me hope and courage as I’m facing a lot of unknowns in my life right now. She helped me remember that my body has wisdom and can heal… and that it’s good to listen.”
“I experienced some rich and vivid sensations during practice with Neva – which is so nice since I’ve found it hard to cultivate that richness in other online spaces.”
“The work in our session, which I’ve been practicing most every day, has allowed me to re-inhabit my infant body. In one instance, my arm actually ‘became’ a baby’s arm as my hand curled in, then opened up. This new territory has invigorated the re-experiencing of my one year old self. There was trauma at 11 months, and the somatic work we did gives me another doorway into that time. So grateful for our co-creation!”
Bring a cushion or something to sit comfortable on. For some classes we will be in supported rest, and you will need either a few blankets, towels, or pillows.
Bring a journal and writing / drawing utensils to each class.
Set yourself up in an environment that supports you to feel good and have privacy.
Wear clothes that are comfortable and allow you to move freely, and ideally help you feel good in your beautiful body!
I will do my best to start and end class on time. The Zoom room will be open a few minutes before we begin. Please do your best to come a few minutes early so we can all begin together.
Neva Cockrell is a professional dancer, interdisciplinary artis, and embodiment teacher. She danced with Pilobolus in 2016 – 2019 touring to Germany, Switzerland, Austria, China, Mexico, Israel, Dubai, and within the US both as a dancer and as the Dance Captain. She is also a writer and director who uses dance-theater as a tool for social change. In 2010 she co-founded her own interdisciplinary company, Loom Ensemble, based in NYC which has toured across the US, Europe, and UAE. She is passionate about using Loom Ensemble performances to open difficult conversations, and then facilitate community discussion to unpack the emotional vulnerability and cultural taboos of each show. She was recently awarded the New Work New England grant from NEFA as a director for Loom’s newest upcoming piece.
She has been teaching dance, theater, and embodiment practices for over a decade, including opening Physique 57’s first international studio in Dubai and developing her own movement technique, Catalyst. Her diverse background in gymnastics, partner acrobatics, contact improvisation, Capoeira Angola, and Yoga inspire her unique style of Contemporary Dance in both her choreography and her classes. She is yoga teacher certified through Simple Yoga with Eric Stewart, and is deeply passionate about the overlap of somatic work and breaking down systems of oppression.
In 2012, she joined the Art Monastery Project, and served as a co-director from 2014-2021 running programming in Italy, Colorado, and Vermont.
She has been practicing meditation for over 15 years, and has found beautiful overlap in her artistic creations and her meditation practice. Her life path is deeply grounded in communal living, body-based activities, art-making, being outside, and contemplative practice. She now lives, works, teaches, and creates at WildHeart: Center for Performance and Embodiment Practice (founded by Neva and her partner Raphael) in the Hudson Valley.
You are responsible for your own health and safety. By signing up for these classes, you agree to take full responsibility for your own health and well being, and agree to NOT hold Neva Cockrell accountable for any injuries you may incur during class. Especially in an online format, the teacher cannot help with specific alignment and corrections, so you must take extra care for yourself. You know your body more than anyone else, and you are responsible and able to choose what is best for you today!
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