It’s a form of massage or bodywork. A creative interpretation of my early training in thai massage that I’ve developed over years of practice.

Through it I like to explore using bodyweight, leverage, holds, flowing nurturing strokes and posture into something impactful for the recipient and aesthetically beautiful.

It’s a practice really concerned with the quality of touch, graded force, movement and rhythm.

Beyond the physical style, I’m interested in connection. How do we settle ourselves and help others settle into receiving touch in a beautiful way?

At its core, bodyways is about relational, dynamic touch.

Personal experience in some kind of embodiment practice or form of movement is useful. But that can be as broad as dance to yoga. It is useful if you have some practice in therapeutic touch of course and you’ll really enjoy this course if you already have a bit of practice in floor based work or more dynamic table top work. But total beginners have come to this workshop and had a really beautiful time, leaving inspired with a new skill set. Please get in touch and let me know a bit more about you, if you would like a more personal response.

The workshop does involve working on a futon on the floor, kneeling, movement, rotation, lifting and gentle physical exercise such as yoga / stretching. There are frequent adaptations to ensure everyone gets the most from the exercises. You don’t have to be very bendy and strong to do this work but it does help if you have a reasonable range of movement and strength. As much as being active during the weekend, you also get plenty of time to relax and receive lovely touch.

Please get in touch directly with your specific needs for the correct advice. Unfortunately the venue in LDN is inaccessible for a lot of people as it is on the top floor of a building with no lift. The workshop itself does require a lot of ground work, kneeling and lifting. There are however ways that we can adapt the exercises - if you would like to provide more information please email somaholistix@gmail.com

No. There is no exchange of fluids in this workshop, full nudity or explicit erotic touch. At the same time, it’s a very sex positive space. People come to touch from very diverse backgrounds and a lot of men who work in more erotic forms of bodywork enjoy coming to this workshop to learn new ways and skills. In that sense, the form is sensual by nature and does invite a level of intimacy often not seen in more traditional modalities. The workshop itself is well boundaried, lively in discussion and communication on these themes and firmly consent led.

At the moment, this particular workshop caters for the broad church of queer men and non-binary folks attracted to men. in terms of discourse and content.

Beyond orientation and gender identity, it’s for those curious about therapeutic touch, people already working in therapeutic touch and for those just looking for connection through a well facilitated and structured process.

Probably, yes. And so will everyone else.

This weekender is designed to hold everyone in that. Before people engage in touch, we engage in different exercises where we get familiar and connect. We quickly learn that we are not alone in how we might feel about our bodies or about touch.

The leading principles of bodyways written into the handbook is that “No one body is “standard” or “ideal”. The salt of a good bodyworker is in the ability to work confidently, with attention and care across a wide diversity of body types”.

Consent practice and sensitivity is built in to the way exercises and touch are taught throughout the weekend.

There is no pressure at any time for you to engage or do anything that you are uncomfortable with. Always open to chat before or during if needed,

bodyways is oil based work, so to experience it and to deliver it, broad skin contact is required. It is suggested that everyone wears underwear when receiving - although some people also wear shorts. Modesty draping / screening will be provided and partners are encouraged to communicate needs and make comfortable arrangements for each other. When you are not receiving, you are welcome to wear a t-shirt / vest and shorts to deliver the work. Often it can get a little warm in the space, so some people may choose to deliver touch whilst shirtless. Everyone is encouraged to dress / undress in a way that is comfortable for them and there is little judgement on arrangements.

In the beginning we play “games”. They are usually movement based where people find themselves “bumping into” a partner. This helps to randomise selection.

As the weekend progresses we use guided partner rotation where people are encouraged to work across a range of different bodies.

There is no forcing of connection or work between two people.

There tends to be a good sense of rapport made through the various connection exercises that cultivates curiosity and interest in one another that helps move beyond lookism, ageism, ableism and fatphobia.

However, there’s no naivety that these things exist and are raised and spoken about frequently throughout the course of the weekend.

There will be plenty of opportunities to check in and visible comfort will be discerned by facilitators easily.

Ultimately a principle of gentle invitation and curiosity is used in partner rotation and there’ve been positive experiences so far.

Before the workshop, participants are asked to read and sign a declaration of observation and intention so that we arrive with proper attitude and notions toward others and the body politic.

You’ll be invited to play with multiple techniques, including:

• grounding holds

• rocking

• gliding

• compression

• assisted stretching

• bodyweight techniques

• flow and transitions

• arranging shapes and postures

But more importantly, you’'ll be empowered to really connect in with your own touch and to walk away feeling confident that your touch feels good, confident and soothing to the other.

Further, you’ll be inspired to create and develop your own symphonies in technique and approach. Whilst you might not “master” some of these techniques in a few days, you’re going to leave with a broad repertoire that you can refine with practice and study of your handbook.

This is not a formally recognised massage qualification.

This is an experiential / educational workshop that is marked by a ceriticate of attendance.

It is also an intriguing CPD course for existing professionals.

A full training is in development but it is a long term project. In any case, the bodyways weekender will be a useful preliminary before training with me.

You can choose to pay either a deposit for the workshop of the full amount at the time of booking.

If you have already registered and paid and you are no longer able to attend, the cancellation policy is as follows:

• Full refund minus a £50 admin fee up to 30 days before the scheduled workshop

• 50% refund after that up to two weeks before the scheduled date

• No refund within two weeks of the training date

• An exception will be made for unexpected illness where a credit to attend an up-coming workshop will be issued

A water bottle. A notebook and pen. Deodorant.

Workout gear to practice in (shorts and vest or training pants and t-shirt).

A change of clothes is nice - just in case its hot.

The underwear or shorts you want to receive in.

A large bath sheet towel and a smaller hand towel (clean on both days). 

Fidget toys if you enjoy them.

Anything else that might help you feel more comfortable for the weekend.

Snacks to share for the weekend, always welcome! I'm a gluten free queen, just in case you were asking :)