HEAVY BODY GONG
Saturday 13th June 6.30 - 8pm Florence Nightingale Memorial Hall, Holloway, Derbyshire
Heavy Body Gong is a new movement and sound class designed to help you land more fully into your own ‘heavy body’ by gently and restfully exploring the solid structure and substance supported by your bones, and the gravity that is always holding you in place and keeping you grounded on the ‘heavy body’ of our planet.
We will begin our session with movement invitations that bring you gently from standing to the ground (~ 30 mins) and then you will be immersed in the ‘heavy body’ geological sounds of gong to complete the session (~ 60 mins)
The class is designed to be supportive, nourishing and something a little bit different. How often are we encouraged to revel in the weight and substance of our human bodies? How often do we feel we should be lighter, smaller? This class is for all bodies and no special ability is needed. The movements we will explore will be simple, gentle and powerful but everything can be adapted by you to suit your mood and flexibility. You will also have the option to simply close your eyes and lay on the floor if you would rather!
Is this different to a normal gong bath?
Yes, this is a little different because before you are immersed in the gongs, you will be led through a half-hour movement session designed to deepen your experience of the gongs in a new way, and perhaps meet your body in a new way?
Once I have guided you through the movement part of the session and you are on the floor/your mat, the gong session will feel more familiar. However, I will also encourage you to practice finding deep rest and relaxation without the intention to fall asleep, so while I encourage you to bring some of your sound bath comforts that you may be used to, this time you can leave the deep piles of bedding at home and bring just enough to be comfortable (mat, blanket, pillow, eye mask etc). It doesn’t matter if you do fall asleep (it’s often a sign that your body needs it) but it can also be interesting to intentionally explore the hypnagogic state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep. We will aim for this even if we end up too heavy to stay awake!
About me and my love of heavy bodies
I am a counsellor/psychotherapist, sound therapist and movement practitioner and teacher. I am also a geologist. I am very interesting in how we can connect with the geological through our own bodies, activating new awarenesses and enjoying the shifting perspectives offered by a deep-time approach to movement (and the rest of our lives!). My movement practice is rooted in somatic theory, intuitive movement and contact improvisation, and Authentic Movement. I especially like to get movers off their mats, exploring their animal bodies!
Before biological sound there was geological sound. This sound would have been the only sound audible on planet earth until around 400 millions years ago. The swirling of wind over rock, water lapping on proto-coastlines, erupting volcanoes. This is the soundscape that I find gongs can evoke in listeners, and I would like to offer you this sound after you have explored the weightiness and heft in your own geological body. To have substance is to have the embodied presence to meet the world in the ways that modern life demands of us. Feeling the strength in our bones is to feel our own resource and support system. Resting in our bones and against the ground gives us space to connect with our inner strength and resilience. Doesn’t this sound delicious?
(please book mindfully as for logistical reasons/fees I do not offer refunds on evening classes. Places are limited and not easy to fill with a late cancellation. Please only book when you know you are able to attend and if you cannot please do feel free to offer your place to someone else! Thank you so much)
This is an in person session running from 6.30-8.00pm on Saturday 13th June @ Florence Nightingale Memorial Hall, Holloway, Matlock, Derbyshire (DE4)
PLEASE NOTE there are a few contraindications for sound bathing including recent surgeries and early pregnancy. Please look at my main GONG page for more information or drop me an email with any questions!
*The group will be be max. 15 people*