Essential Somatic Movement Retreat

About the Retreat

Come awaken your senses to a new possibility for your body, yourself, and your life while surrounded by the stunning beauty of the ocean, white sand beaches, and vibrant sunsets. Essential Somatics is thrilled to return to Mexico for a third year to offer the Essential Somatic Movement Retreat, taught by Martha Peterson and Gena Rho.

Whether you are dealing with chronic muscle pain, limited mobility, a general feeling of “getting old,” or you just want to move and play, you will find something freeing and enriching when you come to beautiful Chacala in Nayarit, Mexico, and learn to move with mastery and joy. This course is for EVERY BODY, no matter your age or activity level.

Through lectures, movement sessions, and interactive participation, you will learn critical, missing link information that will leave you feeling lighter and brighter, with a renewed sense of awareness of yourself.

We will dive deeply into:

• The root cause of most chronic muscle pain and how to reverse it
• How to retain voluntary muscle function and fluid movement with gentle, safe somatic movement
• How everyday stresses and one’s mindset contribute to common pain conditions and limited movement.
• How all humans respond reflexively to stress within three full body reflex patterns
• How to lengthen muscles and reset muscle function without stretching
• A basic routine of easy, safe, and profoundly effective Somatic Movements that, when practiced daily, restore muscle control and self-awareness, eliminate chronic muscle pain, and keep you moving freely in your chosen activity for the rest of your life.

This retreat is taught by Martha Peterson, CCSE, and Gena Rho, CCSE.

Further info and registration.

Schedule

Arrival: Sunday, January 9, 2022 by 3pm to Puerto Vallarta airport

• Check into your room, relax on the beach, or take a swim before dinner
• 6:30-7:30pm Gourmet Dinner
• Orientation and introductions with Martha & Gena

Daily Schedule: Monday – Saturday (schedule subject to change)

7:30-8:30am – Optional Early Morning Session

• Essentially Somatic Yoga
• Monday, Wednesday, Friday

8:30 – 9:30 – Gourmet Breakfast

10am – 1pm – Mid-Morning session

• Somatic Movement Class, discussion, and feedback

1:30-2:30pm – Gourmet Lunch

4:00-5:00pm – Optional Afternoon Session

•  Thursday Walk to Volcano

2:30-6:30pm – Free time to explore, swim, take a walk

6:30-7:30pm – Gourmet Dinner

Closing Circle: 7:30 – 8:30pm on Saturday January 15^th after dinner

Departure: Sunday, January 16^th after breakfast

Payment & Cancellation Policy

Retreat fees

$750 early bird

$850 if paid after Aug. 1, 2021

About the Teachers

Martha Peterson

Martha Peterson is a Certified Clinical Somatic Educator, movement expert, founder of Essential Somatics®, and author of Move Without Pain. She is a member of the Association for Hanna Somatic Education (AHSE) and the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA). As a leader in the field of Somatic Education, she teaches trainings and workshops to movement professionals, corporate executives, and those with chronic pain and limited movement in the United States and internationally. She teaches clients how to regain freedom of movement and achieve long-term pain relief using the gentle and revolutionary techniques of Clinical Somatics. She has learned that the key to remaining healthy and mobile is daily, vigorous, fun movement, a regular Somatic Movement routine, and learning the fine art of relaxation.

Gena Rho

Gena Rho is a Certified Clinical Somatic Educator with more than 30 years of experience in movement and education as a yoga teacher, former professional modern dancer, and educator. Gena presents classes and workshops in both somatic movement and yoga. Gena incorporates somatic awareness into yoga, athletics, performing arts, and the functional movement patterns everyday life creating an integrated experience for her clients and students. She is a member of the Essential Somatics clinical teaching and mentoring team for students training to become Certified Essential Somatics® Movement Teachers and Clinical Somatic Educators.