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Somatics for Well Being

my new studio Sunset Hill Somatics is open!

Optimal Movement
for
Optimal Living

After 21 blissful years, I closed my 70th St Ballard location and I am opening my new studio Sunset Hill Somatics in Ballard right next to Sunset Park!! You may schedule Private & Semi-Private Sessions and register for public Semi-Private sessions/workshops now. Please send me an email if you wish to receive newsletter announcements. jeanhindle@gmail.com
feel free to call or email to schedule or with any questions.
206-782-5044

“Soma: the body perceived from within”

— Thomas Hanna

Discover the amazing capacity of your nervous system for somatic releasing, resourcing and re-education.

Jean Hindle is the founder of Sunset Hill Somatics Studio and was founder/director of Soma Yoga & Dance Studio (2003-2024). I have been a somatic movement educator, Soma Yoga & meditation teacher, and dancer in Seattle for 32 years. For 32 years I have enjoyed supporting students in finding freedom in mind, motion and creative courageous living through somatic movement education, mindfulness meditation, Soma Yoga, BrainDance, SomaDance and ArtWorks! Meditation.

Learn more about Jean

"Jean is an incredibly wise and inspiring teacher. Her ability to bring students into a deep state of rest and relaxation is unparalleled. She combines a lifetime of education in various branches of somatic research into sessions that feel both enlivening and restorative."

- Julie Verdone, Somatic Movement Educator and Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst

"The best relaxing and rejuvenating way to reconnect to the deliciousness of experiencing my body. It doesn't feel like a practice: it feels like a gift."

Zoe Nijsten, somatic student, The Netherlands

"No creature ever falls short of its own completion. Wherever it stands it does not fail to cover the ground."
- Dogen Zenji, 1233

Artistic painting of a person near a tree in a colorful landscape.

My teaching draws from Somatic Unwinding, Hanna Somatics, BioSomatics, the teachings of Moshe Feldenkrais, the Alexander Technique, Skinner Releasing & Open Source Forms, Embodied Anatomy,
 BrainDance, Soma Yoga (which I founded in 1998), Hatha Yoga, mindfulness meditation and my over thirty years as a somatic movement educator, dancer and Soma Yoga & meditation teacher. I also draw from my early life as an athlete. more info in my bio.

Bodies of Work:

  • Change the Way You Move,
    Change the Way You Live

    Move optimally in all of your physical activities with somatic movement education.

    We can re-awaken our inherent agility and expand our possibilities for moving effortlessly in all we do.

    This sensory-motor learning process of non-strenuous movement patterns & explorations gives the brain the necessary feedback to release muscles from chronic habitual holding patterns (neuromuscular re-patterning).

    These slow, gentle movement inquiries liberate us from layers of involuntary, habitual holding patterns.

    Chronic tension patterns change as the body regains its innate ability to self-correct to ease and efficiency.

    Somatic Movement Education expands our possibilities for moving and thus living.

    Discover the amazing capacity of your nervous system for somatic releasing, resourcing and re-education.

    These movement awareness practices invite quiet mind, a deep unwinding and endless discovery.

  • Bring agility, balance, strength and ease to all of the movement activities in your life.

    These 8 neurodevelopmental movement patterns focus on the fundamental patterns which originally wired our brain/central nervous system. These patterns are the foundation for all movement activities and support optimal movement and cognitive function.

    The BrainDance has infinite variations. This flexible framework is based on early movement patterns and involuntary reflexes that build our brain and body. Moving through the eight BrainDance patterns at any age improves cognition and delays dementia by increasing the protein in our brain cells, helps to manage depression by increasing the flow of serotonin and dopamine, maintains flexibility through the release of synovial fluid, develops core strength, reduces fatigue and stress, and increases attention and focus.

    BrainDance may be enjoyed seated in a chair, on the floor,, standing up, or a combination of all three. BrainDance is an excellent cognitive and physical warm-up.

    You may enjoy a 2 minute BrainDance in the kitchen in the morning while your tea/coffee waters boils. An afternoon BrainDance supports a little brain boost to your work day.

  • A modern yoga with ancient roots.

    Bring the wisdom of somatic movement education into your hatha yoga & meditation practice. These practices support agility, equanimity, quiet mind and endless discovery.

    Awareness of habitual moving, thinking and attention patterns is possible; and with awareness sits liberation.

  • A delicious dive into structured and improvisational somatic movement explorations including the 8 neurodevelopmental BrainDance patterns.

    This class draws from somatic movement education, Skinner Releasing Technique, Open Source Forms, Alexander Technique, Embodied Anatomy (TOPF technique), the eight neurodevelopmental movement patterns of BrainDance, Continuum with Susan Harper and my lifetime of dance.

  • A flow through Soma Yoga, somatic movement (guided & improvisational), BrainDance & meditation. Bring ease, awareness and joy to all of the movement activities in your life.

  • ArtWorks! Meditation involves guided improvisational drawing & writing.

  • My teaching draws strongly from my studies, trainings and practice in meditation practices within the Zen and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. I sit in huge heartfelt thanks for the courage and teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Ani Pema Chodron, Tsultrim Allione, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Lama Wangdor Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Phillip Moffitt, Russell Delman, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach.

    I guide sitting meditation as well as lying down Somatic Body Scan Meditations

  • Private Sessions

    In Studio or online

    Tailored to individual needs, I offer therapeutic personalized private sessions, available in-studio or online. I teach mostly private sessions. These sessions encompass a diverse range of practices depending on your needs and what arises in session moment to moment. Sessions may include Somatic Movement Education, Mindfulness Meditation, Soma Yoga, SomaDance, BrainDance neurodevelopmental movement patterns, Lying Down Somatic Body Scan Meditations, ArtWorks! Meditation, Improvisational Dance. You may choose which practices you wish to learn and engage with.

    You may also schedule Semi-Private Sessions with friends and or loved ones.

    Adult
    Toolkit for Teens Sessions

    By appointment

    jeanhindle@gmail.com
    206-782-5044

  • Semi-Private Sessions

    in Studio

    by appt Semi-Private Sessions
    with friends and loved ones
    jeanhindle@gmail.com
    206-782-5044

    Public Semi-Private Sessions
    limited to 4
    *pre-registration required
    please email me to register to check on space availability
    jeanhindle@gmail.com

    Somatic Self Care
    Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:45pm
    Fridays 10:30 - 11:45am
    Friday 12:15 - 1:30pm


    Online
    SomaYogaDance Class
    Tuesdays 6:00-7:15pm
    please send me an email to receive zoom links and payment link so that you may drop in anytime. jeanhindle@gmail.com

  • Workshops & Retreats

    Semi-Private Workshops & Retreats
    Pre-registration required

    Somatic Movement Education

    Somatic Movement & Mindfulness Meditation

    Somatic Walking Education

    Somatics for Optimal Office Life!

    Somatics for Seniors

    dates TBA

    Somatic Movement & ArtWorks! Meditation Workshops
    Sundays 2:00-6:00pm
    April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13

    Retreats

Gift Certificates for friends and family available

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