Elevated Somatics

12/02/2025

Special Saturday Class!

Happy Winter, Denverites! The change of season felt pretty official Sunday morning despite still minimal snow. I hope everyone had a joyful and belly-full thanksgiving with loved ones.

This Saturday I am going to be guest teaching for one of my favorite people, my teacher and mentor, Susan Koenig! Susan is one of the core teachers of Hanna Somatic Education and you might recognize her from youtube (https://www.youtube.com/user/somaticsforyou) if you've searched for Hanna Somatic material. She has also had an ongoing Saturday morning class in Berkeley, California, for a couple of decades.

This coming Saturday, she has invited me to virtually guest teach, and I couldn't be happier to do it.

This will be a Hanna Somatic movement class focused on one of my favorite principles of somatic movement: Relative Conjugate Movement.

What is Relative Conjugate Movement? Well, besides being a lot of fun to say, this phrase is for one of our somatic magic tricks. When people experience chronic musculoskeletal pain, they begin to brace, thereby protecting and limiting their movement. This bracing perpetuates and amplifies the underlying condition. Over time, the bracing itself can create new musculoskeletal conditions. The problem is that most people aren't aware they're bracing, but are afraid to move the painful joint. The anticipation of pain actually intensifies it! That's not the magic part.

The magic of Relative Conjugate Movement, a phrase used by one of Feldenkrais' proteges, is that once an injury is healed, the continuation of pain is all due to the bracing and expectation of pain. The joint itself is often completely fine. So, this movement magic is about creating novel movement at that braced joint without directly moving it. The movement is a byproduct of moving something else. Like a magician who distracts an audience to look at their right hand while their left hand executes the trick, applying Relative Conjugate Movement means initiating a movement somewhere seemingly unrelated and then noticing that, "Hey, my arm is above my head, and it didn't hurt!"

So, whether you're experiencing pain or not, this class should be really valuable and enjoyable.

Want to attend, just log into Zoom and if you send some money to Susan, she and I would greatly appreciate it. Suggested donation is $15. Details below.

TDLR? Come to class this Saturday and experience a really cool and unique somatic movement practice.

While this class in virtual, you can pretend you are with me where I taught at the ISMETA conference one block from the beach in Benicassim Spain!

Details on this fantastic Saturday class.


Zoom Link For December 6, 2025
Time: Dec 6, 2025 11:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
us02web.zoom.us/j/83173043301?pwd=PvrPiGkaifmxm6a6qNXZDrMMUWmRf6.1

Meeting ID: 831 7304 3301
Passcode: 005930
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CLASS DETAILS:
1. To prepare for the class, please have a floor mat and some pillows ready. Wear clothing you can move in freely. Sometimes we begin in a chair, so have one handy as well.
2. Please come into this class 5 to 10 minutes early so that we can start the class on time.
3. Susan will be recording this class (if all goes well) and make it available on her website, YouTube channel, SoundCloud (audio only), and next newsletter.
4. Free/Donation: Students, please come free! If you would like to make a donation, you may do so through PayPal (paypal.com/us/home (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) ) using my emaii: susankoenig@earthlink.net
Recommended donation is $15. Contact Susan if you would like to donate in a different way.

Check out our event on Saturday, Dec 6, 2025.

Click here for event details from Elevated Somatics!

11/19/2025

"These movements are so gentle and subtle, it feels like I'm barely doing anything, but I feel so much better!"

I hear some version of this regularly. and I understand. Here's some truth. The movements themselves are not so special. Many of the movements I work with are similar to things you would do in a pilates, yoga, or tai chi class. They are movements that are familiar, because they are human movements. They are functional movements.

So why is it that doing these movements during a somatic class or session creates such a different effect compared to when you do them normally? The magic is only partially from the movements themselves. Most of it comes from the way the movements are done.

By changing the way you move, changing the speed, effort, and points of focus, you can make any movement suddenly seem new and fresh. By connecting with this experience of newness, you activate the part of your brain and nervous system that learns. Activating your learning center opens up a portal for rapid and lasting change.

The type of somatic work I offer starts with movement and touch as these are the fastest ways into your nervous system. But the effects are pervasively felt; physical, emotional, cognitive, and in general health improvement.

I'll be sharing a bit more of what I do and the holistic effects this has, particularly for women's health, with the panel of health experts as part of "The Nervous System Nutrition Revolution." I'm excited to be there and engage with a wide array of other health experts. You are most welcome to join for this free event, (https://www.plantthrivingwomen.com/nervous-system-nutrition-revolution-Gabriel-Posner) tomorrow 9-12 Mountain Time. I'll be speaking on the 10-11:00 Panel.

And if you don't make it to this event, come to a class or one-on-one session where we can get right to the heart of this work by doing the work. Not talking about it so much, but moving, unwinding, and adapting. It is in some ways simple work, but also incredibly profound and powerful; seemingly magical.

Check out our event on Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025.

Click here for event details from Elevated Somatics!

11/12/2025

What's the relationship between Somatics and Nutrition?

Do you ever find yourself going through all the motions—the "right" balance of exercise and diet—yet still hit that wall of exhaustion every single afternoon?

If this feels familiar, please know this: You are not failing. Your experience is valid, and the missing piece is often overlooked in traditional wellness advice.

While my main area of expertise is in movement, massage, and embodiment, nutrition and digestion are intricately connected via your nervous system. Therefore, how you connect with and use your body affects how you digest, absorb, and make use of what you eat. It's not just about tracking macro nutrients or balancing hormones. Your nervous system, digestive system, and physical body are locked in a sophisticated, continuous dialogue. When that critical connection is out of sync, even the "perfect" diet and habits struggle to restore deep, sustainable energy.

That's precisely why I am thrilled to be joining The Nervous System Nutrition Revolution, a complimentary two-day event hosted by Debbie Saidyfye, The Nervous System Nutritionist™.

I'll be collaborating with an expert panel to explore the grounded, scientific connections between nutrition and nervous system regulation, specifically for women’s health. Our goal is to equip midlife women with the knowledge they need to gently and effectively reclaim their natural spark.

👉 [Save your complimentary spot now →] (https://www.plantthrivingwomen.com/nervous-system-nutrition-revolution-Gabriel-Posner)

During the gathering, you will discover evidence-based strategies to:

🧠 Decode Your Body's Intelligence: Learn to scientifically interpret your body's signals and stop fighting against them.

💚 Nourish for Resilience: Understand how to use food and lifestyle to restore calm, balanced, and steady energy at the cellular level.

🌸 Navigate Transitions with Grace: Gain tools to support your nervous system through hormonal shifts and major life changes with greater ease and stability.

This isn't a collection of quick fixes. This is science-backed insight and compassionate understanding from leaders who truly integrate this work into their own lives.

👉 [Reserve your complimentary seat for The Nervous System Nutrition Revolution →] (https://www.plantthrivingwomen.com/nervous-system-nutrition-revolution-Gabriel-Posner)

I genuinely look forward to sharing this experience with you. It promises to deepen your understanding of health, revolutionize your approach to energy, and show you what it truly means to thrive.

With warmth and anticipation,

Gabriel Posner, Panelist, The Nervous System Nutrition Revolution

P.S. If you are tired of the cycle of "doing everything right" without seeing results, this event will connect the underlying scientific dots in a compassionate way. There is no charge to attend—just reserve your spot today. 👉 [Save your seat →] (https://www.plantthrivingwomen.com/nervous-system-nutrition-revolution-Gabriel-Posner)

Check out our event on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025.

Click here for event details from Elevated Somatics!

11/03/2025

Consider this: less than 10% of neck and back pain is structural, something that can be fixed through surgery. The rest is functional and can be reliably addressed with Somatics.

10/21/2025

Elevated Relaxation: Announcing Extended Somatic Massage Sessions and Extended Hours!

Discover the transformative power of clinical somatic work combined with traditional massage techniques. Massage therapy is back on the menu with longer sessions designed to elevate your relaxation and well-being, enveloped in soothing music. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to treat yourself to a completely rejuvenating experience at Elevated Somatics!

In addition to offering massage again, I am extending hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with sessions starting around 4 or 4:30 PM. This means you can unwind after a long day and prioritize your well-being. Given the demand I anticipate, I encourage you to book your appointments soon to secure your spot. I look forward to helping you relax, rejuvenate, and elevate your overall health with massage and somatic services. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take some time for yourself—you deserve it!

Click here for an update from Elevated Somatics!

10/16/2025

I've missed you! How are you feeling today? Have you hit a plateau where you're not in pain but also aren't feeling amazing? You might want to come in now to keep you from needing a session right in the middle of the busy holiday season.

Back when I was first starting my career as a massage therapist and somatic educator, I worked with a fantastic acupuncturist in San Francisco. I learned a lot from him, both directly and indirectly. One thing I learned from him that really stuck with me is that pain is the last thing you feel and the first thing that goes away. Let that sink in...

If you are slowly developing a pattern of tension and dysfunction, it will develop for a while at a low, chronic, annoying level, until it finally one day rises to the intensity of PAIN, which is when most of us finally take action to address the issue.
That ankle you sprained when you were 11, the years of sitting with slumped posture or the extended exertion of pushing through college, a career, a family, rears up in your 40s and 50s. These are the things we typically think of as just "getting older" when really the feeling associated with aging is the slow, steady accumulation of tension that finally boils over and you can't ignore it anymore.

On the other side of things, we will put immense energy, time, and money into getting out of pain and then, once we are feeling better, stop doing the things that helped. When the pain subsides enough to go back to the regular routing when people usually stop doing their PT or somatic Exercises and gradually settle into a plateau of feeling "fine".

And this is why, after a few weeks, or months, or years, the pain will come right back. It was never fully addressed. If this sounds familiar and you found this work to be helpful in getting you out of pain, right now is probably the perfect time to come back in and work on feeling even better. If you get ahead of the end of the year bustle then, even if life gets more hectic, you will be far away from the pain zone.

Want to finish this year in your best form? Read on!

Most Tuesdays I offer a virtual class where you can reconnect with your practice and discover just how amazing you can feel! These sessions are designed to enhance your movement and resilience, equipping you to glide through life's challenges with ease. Whether you're a seasoned mover or a newcomer looking to explore the benefits of somatic movement, these classes offer the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your mind and body. All registered people receive a recording of my instruction for these classes that is available for one week, whether or not they attend live.

Looking for more personalized care? One-on-one sessions are a great way to go deeper into your unique patterns of tension and pain. In these sessions I will evaluate your posture and assess how you hold tension, tension that could be underneath your conscious awareness ready to bubble up to the surface. Then, using clinical somatic techniques we will work together to reverse the accumulation of tension, decompress your joints, reduce pain, and free your movement. These sessions can be done just as effectively virtually as in-person.

Click here for an update from Elevated Somatics!

04/17/2025

Announcing a Somatic Movement and Meditation Course in Arvada!

Have you attempted and given up on meditating over the years? Do you struggle with being quiet and still for more than a couple of minutes? Are you curious about the combined benefits of mindful movement and somatic meditation? Read on!

In partnership with a Somatic Meditation coach Jonathon Daniel and Neurogrove, an integrative neurotherapy clinic, I have developed a course that makes meditating more accessible, more enjoyable and, IMO, more helpful.

I have found over the years that somatic movement principles and meditation are in many ways two sides of the same coin. Somatic movement focuses on using movements to decrease tension and increase/improve awareness. Meditation approaches this from the other direction; focusing and moving awareness. Meditation specifically focused on bodily sensations can invite relaxation and profound physiological shifts.

They both are helpful and, when combined, improve upon each other. I did a test run of this course late 2024 and it was very well received. So, I am excited to now offer this to you and your loved ones. Details below.

Wisdom of the Body: Healing Through Somatic Movement and Meditation
(6-Week Course)
Tuesdays from 11:30-1:00pm
April 29th through June 3, 2025

Classes held at NeuroGrove
5511 W 56th Ave. Unit 100
Arvada, CO 80002

This training introduces a series of evidence-based somatic movement and meditation practices to help you connect with the intelligence and resourcefulness of your body. Over the course of the six-week curriculum, you will be guided through meditations, talks, group discussions, and at-home daily practices that will help you access a vast store of wisdom, healing, and transformation within your mind and body.

Key themes will include:

-Somatic practices that promote the alleviation of symptoms related to anxiety, PTSD, brain injuries, addiction, learning disorders, ADHD, and other cognitive-emotional challenges

-An at-home meditation practice aligned with neuroscientific data and therapeutic principles

-The development of interoception (the ability to sense signals from the body) for healing "from the inside"

-Awareness and releasing of areas of tension, blockage, and constriction

-Cultivation of the intuitive knowing of the "felt sense"

-Skillful expression and integration of difficult emotions

-Openness, acceptance, and loving-kindness towards uncomfortable sensations

-Cultivation of the Somatic "Self" in healing "parts" within an Internal Family Systems framework

-Earth-based grounding practices

-Rest and recovery through stillness

Our general approach will involve learning how to meet the body with gentleness, receptivity, flexibility, and care. Rather than striving to accomplish "healing goals," we will explore how to listen to the body's messages as trustworthy wisdom in our journeys toward integration, wholeness, acceptance, and love.

To register, contact Neurogrove directly

via phone: 303-828-7473
or email: admin@neurogrove.com.
Tell them you're interested in the Wisdom of the Body course with Gabriel

Click here for an update from Elevated Somatics!

04/10/2025

You are invited! (https://courses.essentialsomatics.com/courses/pain-relief-through-movement-workshop-cos-usa?ref=3a13f3)

Excuse the interruption, but I wanted to tell you about a great event happening in Colorado at the end of April!

Martha Peterson, author of Move Without Pain and CEO of Essential Somatics, is offering a weekend somatic movement workshop in Colorado Springs at the end of the month. Whether you are new to somatics, are looking to delve deeper into your somatic practice, or might even be interested in becoming a somatic practitioner or movement teacher, this will be a powerful weekend of self-care and somatic exploration. I can vouch for this training as a faculty member and affiliate of Martha’s company. I’ve attended and helped teach it. It’s a powerful course and a great way to spend a weekend. I’ve attached the flyer. Or click here for more info (https://courses.essentialsomatics.com/courses/pain-relief-through-movement-workshop-cos-usa?ref=3a13f3) . If you decide to go, be sure to use the promo code MOVEMENT50 for a discount she is offering my email list.

Click here for event details from Elevated Somatics!

03/17/2025

Tomorrow night is the last night of the BodyTending Series. I know many of you would like to participate in this class but don't live in Denver or can't make it at this time. So, this will be great news for you.

I'm excited to announce that this final class will be open to virtual attendance via Zoom! Now, even if you can't join in-person, you can still participate live from the comfort of your own home.

Hybrid Class Format:

In-Person: Join us at Nurture for the full hands-on experience.
Zoom: Participate live online, virtually. After you register, send me an email to let me know you need the Zoom link and I will send it to you.

Can't make it live? No problem!

This class will be recorded and made available to all registered participants. You can watch and re-watch at your own pace, ensuring you don't miss a single moment of this powerful session.

What to Expect in the Finale:

Targeted Relief for Neck and Shoulder Tension: This workshop is specifically designed for those suffering from tight necks and shoulders.

Anatomical Exploration: Experience and harness the anatomy that contributes to pain in your shoulders and upper neck.

Relaxed, Comfortable Posturw: Learn to let go of the muscles that draw you into a slumped, flexed posture, and stand upright with ease.

Final Q&A and Deepening Understanding: A final opportunity to ask questions and deepen your understanding of somati principles.

I Can't Wait to Share This Class With You in any Way!

Check out our event on Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025.

Click here for event details from Elevated Somatics!

03/11/2025

You are invited to the last class in the BodyTending Series! (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/body-tending-a-transformative-5-month-somatic-movement-workshop-series-tickets-907231532937?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Sometimes clients tell me they wish they could just unscrew their head from their neck to address the chronic stiffness and tension there. Well, if you resonate with that, then this is the class for you. Through gentle, somatic movements, you will learn to unwind your neck and shoulders with simple techniques you can do again and again and again.

The final workshop in the BodyTending Series is designed specifically for those struggling with tight necks and shoulders! This is your chance to experience and understand the anatomy behind your pain, and to learn how to release the muscles that contribute to a slumped, flexed posture. Join us as we guide you from tension to relaxation and empower you to take control of your well-being. Spots are limited, so act fast to secure your place in this transformative event!

Check out our event on Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025.

Click here for event details from Elevated Somatics!

02/20/2025

Feeling stuck, wound up, angsty, and or exhausted? Come to Nurture next week and unwind with me. Experience somatic bliss Tuesday evening with the second to last of my Body Tending Series classes. No prior attendance or experience necessary.

Join us for a 5-month somatic movement series, meeting monthly to explore the themes of Breathe, Align, Release, Restore, & Freedom

02/20/2025

Vogue India knows whats up!

https://www.vogue.in/content/somatic-movement-is-the-self-soothing-practice-you-need-in-2025-heres-why?fbclid=IwY2xjawIkNDxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTVHOY33NC6mSPhuezYJzuZpRW-DLUBKzTKZr_oENSDD0z68ocO3ryXO4Q_aem_MuNpLTk5mhEfaMLDPCtBag

In our hyper-aware worlds, this practice can help you develop a deeper connection with your body