Frequently Asked Questions
somatic experiencing® (SE™) faqs:
Q: What happens in a Somatic Experiencing (SE) session?
A: The SE Practitioner (SEP) guides the Client safely into an exploration of bodily sensation, incorporating gentle practices to release tension and stress related to past traumatic events (such events that are known or unknown to the mind). Through SE the client and SEP will address the physiology of trauma and stress through the body (vs the mind); working with bodily sensation, sound, smell, gentle movement, and more.
Q: What’s the difference between Somatic Experiencing (SE) & Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)?
A: The biggest difference is directly (EMDR) vs indirectly (SE) addressing trauma. EMDR incorporates bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, etc.) while recalling a traumatic memory directly. SE is a gentler approach to healing, allowing the client to follow the wisdom of their body to see where it takes them, with guidance from the SE Practitioner. SE allows for gradual, lasting, and safe exploration to healing trauma.
Q: What is Somatic Experiencing, in simple terms?
A: It is a body-oriented therapeutic model used in a variety of professions including coaching, teaching, psychotherapy, medicine, physical therapy, and more. It helps to heal trauma and stress disorders through a rewiring of the nervous system.
Q: What is an example of Somatic Experiencing?
A: A Somatic Experiencing Practitioner helps individuals safely release emotions and energies being held in their body. It’s practiced using various mind-body techniques from slowing down and connecting with bodily sensation, incorporating slow, gentle movement, sounds, breath, and more.
Q: Can I do Somatic Experiencing on my own?
A: Somatic Experiencing is best practiced with a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner to guide, hold space, and work with the client through continued exploration and release in each session. There are somatic experiencing exercises that can be done individually. At The Heart Space Center, depending on the individual’s needs, goals, and requests, we offer exercises that can be done individually, outside of 1:1 SE sessions.
private yoga
Q: Are private yoga sessions worth it?
At The Heart Space Center we like to get a good understanding of each individual's intentions and needs, so in a private yoga class we will customize each session specific to those intentions and needs. Furthermore, in a group yoga class, it can be challenging to ask the instructor questions that might arise during class. In a private yoga session the student has the instructors full attention and can welcome questions as they come. Individuals also receive, if desired and needed, more hands-on assists and direction specific to their unique needs in a private yoga session.
Q: What happens in a private yoga session?
The session is always tailored to each individual's intentions and needs. Typically, we'll begin with a check-in; how the individual is feeling since the last session; how they're feeling in the moment, and take time to guide and allow them to holistically land into the space; energetically, mentally, and physically. The movement practice will be based around the individuals' goals, and will meet them where they are as their practice develops and evolves during our time working together.
Q: I'm interested in private yoga sessions, but I've never practiced yoga before; is it still okay for me to start here?
Yes! In fact beginning your yoga journey in a private space, particularly if you're apprehensive or nervous to begin in a group setting, can be quite empowering. We'll create a safe space for you to explore the body, the poses, and the breath, and create each session specific to your unique intentions and needs.
breathwork journey space (somatic breathwork) faqs:
Q: What happens in a Breathwork Journey Space (Somatic Breathwork) session?
A Somatic Breathwork session is a 90-120-minute experience beginning with embodied movement, and grounding followed by moving into a relaxing, supported, reclined position. From this reclined position the facilitator guides participants into conscious active breathing for an extended period of time (30-40 minutes), ending with relaxation, integration and reflection.
Q: What is Somatic Breathwork ?
Simply put, Somatic Breathwork is conscious breathing. There are a variety of somatic breathing techniques; each accessing the nervous system and our body's ability to repair and heal. Somatic Breathwork can be truly transformative; allowing the body to release tension, stress, emotions and trauma that might be stuck in the physical body.
Q: Is Somatic Breathwork safe?
Yes. Somatic Breathwork is a safe practice that can be done in a private, 1:1 practice, a group practice, and even on your own. Somatic Breathwork is simply breathing with intention, or conscious breathing. There are contraindications to some somatic breathwork practices, which are always shared with clients and groups interested in practicing, before a session to ensure it's the right practice for them.
Q: Who is Somatic Breathwork NOT suitable for?
Some contraindications to the Somatic Breathwork offered at The Heart Space Center include: pregnancy, high blood pressure (that is not treated with medication), diagnosis of bipolar, schizophrenia or any history of psychiatric hospitalization, and epilepsy. History of cardiovascular conditions and/or brain/neurological conditions, should be consulted with a primary care doctor before committing to this practice. If these apply to you, another type of breath practice may be more suitable. Breath Coaching services will be coming soon and may be a better fit for you. Email info@theheartspacecenter.org if you're interested in learning more about Breath Coaching.
Q: What are the benefits of Somatic Breathwork?
Somatic Breathwork can be truly transformative; allowing the body to release tension, stress, emotions and trauma that might be stuck in the physical body. It can aid specifically with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma release, increase energy, chronic pain, immune function, insomnia, connection to intuition and creativity, and the experience of altered state of consciousness.
breath coaching
Q: What does a Breath Coach do?
A Breath Coach guides individuals through various breathing exercises, dependent on the individual's goals and needs. There are a wide variety of breathing practices, and they don't all make sense for everyone. At The Heart Space Center we take time to really understand each individual's goals and needs and guide breath practices to help achieve those. Dependent on the individual's situation, we may build to a specific breath practice over multiple sessions to ensure safety and efficacy.
Q: Who should not do breath practice?
There are some breath practices that have contraindications; they're not for everyone. There are other breath practices that are accessible to everyone. During the intake process at The Heart Space Center, and the 30-minute phone consultation, we will take this time to determine, based on the individual's goals, needs, and any potential contraindications, what breath practices, if any, will be the right fit.
Q: Is working with a Breath Coach worth it?
To access the many benefits that proper breathing can offer is absolutely worth it! When we take time to come back to the breath, and breathe properly, as we are intended to breathe (which today, on average, most people are not breathing properly) we can gain access to many benefits including deeper sleep, reduced stress, improved digestion, balanced mood, and more.
private meditation
Q: What is private meditation?
Private meditation is a guided meditation session specifically created for an individual's goals and needs; guided privately by the guide, for the individual. By taking the time to really get to know each individual we work with at The Heart Space Center, we create guided meditations just for you, allowing you to get the most out of your time "on the cushion".
Q: What happens in a private meditation session?
The session is always tailored to each individual's intentions and needs. Typically, we'll begin with a check-in; how the individual is feeling since the last session and how they're feeling in the moment. The individual is encouraged to welcome their body into a seat that is most comfortable to them; a seat that allows them to best land into the space, and into their practice. This may be seated on the floor on a cushion, seated in a chair, or reclined on their back - and it may even shift from session to session. We encourage individuals to meet themselves in the moment so they can be fully present for the meditation we've specially curated just for them.
retreats
Q: What is the reason to go on or take retreat?
There are various reasons people choose to go on or take retreat. The retreats we host at The Heart Space Center are opportunity for individuals to step away from their busy lives and take intentional time to look inward. They receive guidance and tools to support that inward journey during retreat. When completing retreat often people feel closer to Self, processed, and re-charged. Taking time for intentional retreat can also leave people feeling inspired to create lasting change in their lives.
Q: What happens in a retreat?
It depends on the type of retreat you sign up for. On a yoga and wellness retreat participants can often expect to have time for guided movement, meditation, group discussion, journaling, breathwork, time in nature, and time on their own for further exploration. Often it is encouraged to refrain from technology and substances while on retreat, and to nourish the body with natural, whole foods.
Q: Are retreats worth it?
Everyone should be fortunate enough to take retreat. We all deserve time to get away and explore our inner Selves in a safely held container. To be in nature, to move and nourish the body, to feel connected to others and Self. We have personally never regretted going on retreat. Perhaps the only way you'll know is if you go💗