Body Talk ~ a weekend training in Somatic Experiencing & Authentic Relating

BODY TALK 2025

An immersive weekend training incorporating the therapeutic embodiment practices of Somatic Experiencing and Authentic Relating.

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“Embodiment is the combined experience of sensations, emotions, and movement impulses, an ever-changing, dynamic relationship between self, other, and environment.” ~ Dr. Arrielle Schwartz

“Emotions are what make life worthwhile, exciting, challenging, and meaningful. They drive our explorations of the world, motivate our discoveries and fuel our growth.” ~ Dr. Gabor Maté

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Do you identify as a healer, a space holder, or someone with a lived experience of somatic therapy and wanting to go deeper on your therapeutic journey?

This May, you are warmly invited to the third edition of Body Talk: a nurturing and empowering container to explore your embodied, emotional being and how you connect with yourself & others.

Through movement, touch and words, we will guide you to encounter your curiosity, vulnerability and boundaries through a journey of deep, meaningful and playful therapeutic practices.

This intensive training will take place at Edinburgh’s inner city sanctuary, the Salisbury Centre, and led by two experts in  the fields of Somatic Experiencing, Authentic Relating and other embodiment techniques: Laurie King and Emma Snellgrove.

You will walk away with an experiential toolkit that you can use right away in every aspect of your life.

We look forward to welcoming you into a beautiful container that will support and uplift a deeper connection to yourself and those around you.

“The whole weekend was energising and rejuvenating. The clear, self-giving, open-hearted leadership, space holding and gentle direction from Emma and Laurie was exemplary. Strong sense of connection within, and thankfulness for, our weekend community” ~ Previous participant, Easter 2024

WHO is this training for?

This training is for individuals who would like to go deeper into their healing practices. We would like to emphasise that this workshop is very well suited for health practitioners, therapists, space holders and those working in holistic fields and somatic work as well as individuals who want to go further in their healing process. As coaches we believe that we too need respite and a place to process, reflect and rewire. 

All that is required is your desire to be open, vulnerable and invested in your self development. Come with curiosity and learn to enrich your self love within and enhance your interpersonal relationships.

If you have any questions about whether the event would suit you, pop us a message and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

What to Expect: 

Over the course of two full days (from 11am to 6pm on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May), we will guide you through a supportive arc of therapeutic practices, designed to deepen your experiential understanding of somatic therapy and interpersonal relating. 

Content will be a combination of theory and experiential activities. There will be plenty of time given to warming up and integration on either side of the main activities.

Activities will explore connection through movement, touch and conversation, focusing on the therapeutic practices of Somatic Experiencing and Authentic Relating.

Somatic Experiencing helps us explore the connection between our bodies and minds, facilitating the integration of our physical, emotional, and psychological experiences. 

Developed by world-leading psychotherapist Peter A. Levine, this method has been shown to significantly improve the lives of those living with PTSD and other stress disorders. By moving the body in certain intentional ways, we can release deep rooted blocks, creating a greater sense of ease and well-being.

For more info on Somatic Experiencing, check out https://traumahealing.org/.

Authentic Relating is an interpersonal meditation. It is the practice of listening and speaking in deeper awareness of our present moment sensations, curiosities and boundaries, allowing us to weave richer, more truthful and loving human-to-human connections.

For more info on Authentic Relating, check out https://www.authrev.org/.

We will complement these practices with teachings of Myofascial Release Therapy, Polyvagal Theory and Breathwork to curate a rich and comprehensive somatic training.

Together, we will create a powerful container to explore the many layers of our human experience, invite supportive, consensual touch, and arrive more deeply into the present moment awareness of ourselves and one another.

Where will it be?

The event will take place in the Studio of The Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5AB.

The facilitators:

Laurie King

I'm Laurie (he/him), a queer British-Kiwi who’s current home-base is Wellington, NZ. My passion is creating spaces that cultivate healthy, thriving human-to-human relationships, helping people take off their masks, feel their sensations and celebrate their aliveness on Earth. Since 2019, I have organised and facilitated hundreds of Authentic Relating, Dating and Embodiment workshops in Oceania, North America and Europe. My training includes The Embody Lab, Authentic Revolution, Body Electric School and Connection Institute. I have facilitated at internationally acclaimed festivals such as Stretch, and organisations such as ART International.

My workshops have sparked thousands of nourishing connections, turning many strangers into life-long friends. I look forward to holding space for you!

For more info, check out itoiauthenticrelating.com.

Emma Snellgrove

Hello, my name is Emma. I am a huge fan of bringing joy and drawing out authenticity in individuals through embodiment practices. 

My background is in the arts, as a performer/director and actress with  over fifteen years experience. Nothing really surprises or shocks me anymore. I like to help you feel normal in your self discovery. 

My specialisms are in Bodysex coaching, Somatic Experiencing, Contact Improvisation and movement therapy. 

As an artist I believe self expression and creativity are essential to healing. The work I do is about revealing the vulnerability we all hold. Our experiences and what we create can have a very special magic that unlocks a happier, more peaceful state of being. I also believe that when we are grounded we can transcend ideologies, bridge differences and establish human connectivity.

I use my methods of communication in organisations, groups and with individuals locally and internationally.

My mission is for the individual and the group to become more inspired to work from the heart and harmonise their individuality through unapologetically treasuring their lives in presence with one another.

HOW MUCH will I invest?

Total cost for the weekend is £240.

Payment plans are available if you cannot pay the full upfront.

There are only 12 spaces available and it is likely to sell out (like the last two editions). Book early to secure your place!

Practicalities:

Location: The Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5AB.

When: Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May 2025, from 11am to 6pm both days. 

Things to bring: Comfortable clothing that's easy to move in, warm socks, water bottle, notebook.

Food: Tea & snacks are provided. Please bring your own lunch.