Masterclass 1, The back line: softening into support

This is the first of three masterclasses in The Connected Body, a summer series exploring somatic yoga and fascia.

In this first masterclass, we explore the body's long back line, from the soles of the feet to the back of the skull.

Through slow, floor-based somatic yoga and simple, accessible movements and poses, you will begin to notice how this line responds to effort, to stress, and to the quieter invitation to rest.

We will also explore what is sometimes called the green light reflex: the deep habit of keeping the back body switched on, braced, and ready for action, even when there is nothing left to respond to.

Many of us carry this without realising it, until we begin to experience discomfort in the lower back, shoulders, or neck.

Rather than trying to force the muscles to let go, you will learn to sense how this pattern lives within you, and how small, mindful somatic movements can support the nervous system and teach the brain something genuinely new: the possibility of doing less, of no longer bracing the back, and still feeling supported.

By the end of the session, you will have a felt sense of what it means to allow gravity to do more of the work, so the back body can lengthen, widen, and breathe more freely.

That quality of ease, once noticed, often carries into standing, walking, and moving.

If you are experiencing neck, shoulder, or lower back discomfort, you may wish to explore whether this masterclass offers you a new awareness of your back body.

About the series: The Connected Body

Discover a gentle, intuitive and fluid way to move that honours your body's natural design.

In this three-part series, we combine somatic yoga, Feldenkrais-inspired movement, breathing techniques and fascia-informed awareness to help you feel more connected, grounded, and at ease throughout your body.

Across three 90-minute masterclasses, you will be guided step by step to notice how your body moves, where it holds tension, and how to invite more softness, strength, and coherence through the body's fascial lines.

You don't need any special knowledge to join, just curiosity, the ability to lie down and get up from the floor, and a willingness to move slowly and listen inwardly.

What you will explore

How your whole body responds to gravity, the environment, breath, and mind demands, through spontaneous, adequate and intelligent reflexes and movements.

A kinder, more stable way to feel supported from the inside, grounded and uplifted through your deep front line.

The influence of the breath on the fascial network, and how it helps the body respond and move better.

The side-to-side and spiral patterns that shape your posture, balance, and sense of ease and safety in movement.

The three masterclasses

• Masterclass 1, The back line: softening into support.
  Gently explore the superficial back line, from the soles of the feet to the back of the head, through slow, floor-based movement and simple yoga shapes. Learn to let gravity support you so your back body can lengthen, widen, and breathe.
• Masterclass 2, The deep front line: inner core and grounded breath.
  Meet the deep front line, your inner line of support through the feet, inner legs, pelvis, diaphragm, and neck. Experience subtle movements and accessible poses that help you feel more stable, centred, and calm from the inside out.
• Masterclass 3, Lateral and spiral lines: side body freedom and natural rotation.
  Play with side-body and spiral patterns that influence how you stand, walk, and twist. Through gentle, curious exploration, you'll notice asymmetries, free up stuck areas, and discover new options for balanced, fluid movement and a fresher connection with the wholeness in the body.

The series is welcoming and assumes no previous experience. It is not intended as teacher training, but it will be useful for complete beginners wanting to understand their bodies and for teachers seeking to refine how they guide others.