… somewhat akin to choosing whether to react to an itch on the skin or not, yoga practitioners understand that the more familiar they are with their own body and embodied responses, the more likely they are to make an informed choice as to how to react in any given situation.
(Mensinga, 2011)
what Jo mensinga offers (Face to face and online):
Many social work and human service practitioners experience stress and burnout. Jo offers classes to facilitate social workers’ and human service providers’ embodied awareness so that they can better monitor their own well-being and develop effective self-care strategies. While yoga is Jo’s preferred modality, her understanding of somatic and embodied practices enable her to draw on other traditions if requested.
Embodiment and somatic movement is more than physical exercise. They are holistic practices that addresses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of human experience. My classes challenge popular expectations of what physical exercise regimes (including yoga) should look like and explore how they can be used to support new ways of being and doing social work.
Private individual classes
60-minute, 1-on-1 sessions
Cost: $80 per hour
The first meeting will focus on assessing your current wellness and discussing your goals for engaging in an embodied / somatic practice and/or yoga class.
With a focus on developing interoception and a deeper awareness, following sessions will focus on practicing and exploring chosen postures / movements to meet your goals and will include exploring how gravity and the breath influence physical and emotional well-being.
SMALL GROUP CLASSES
60-minute, 2 - 6 people, 1 session per week for 6 - 10 weeks.
Cost: Between $20 and $60 per person (depending on the number of people enrolled) for 6 to 10 weeks
Classes provide an opportunity for participants to practice and explore postures and movement using an embodied approach. An emphasis on using the breath, relaxing the muscles and working with the spine is encouraged.
Classes will generally be advertised on Jo’s Instagram or Facebook page (see links in title header at top of page), but can be organised if requested by a small group of individuals. Online classes can also be offered.
PRESENTATIONS AND workshops FOR ORGANIZATIONS
Cost: Negotiated depending on purpose and goal of workshop.
Structured classes or workshops for organizations can be negotiated to meet specific needs or around particular themes e.g., self-care, developing interoceptive awareness, addressing burnout, embodiment.