PRESENCE: Embodied Awareness through Stillness and Somatic Movement

A five-week exploration of embodied awareness through stillness and somatic movement

In this five-week series, we explore the cultivation of presence in stillness and movement. Through the integration of Continuum Movement and mindfulness meditation practices, we explore: How does stillness support fluid movement? How does fluid movement help us settle into stillness?

Continuum invites us into the body’s subtle intelligence through breath, sound, and intuitive movement. Mindfulness helps us relate to inner experience—thoughts, emotions, and sensations—with clarity and compassion. We will explore how integrating these practices supports the cultivation of presence that is rooted and adaptable, steady and responsive.

Each session offers guided practices that invite you to attune more deeply to sensation, develop a more fluid relationship with thoughts and emotions, and connect with the body’s intelligence. For meditators, this series offers an intuitive entry into somatic movement. For movers, it offers practices to skillfully meet the mind as it arises during movement. All levels of experience are welcome!

Logistics

5 classes, 2 hours per session. Each session includes a guided meditation and Continuum Movement practice, time for reflection, and space to connect with others.

Zoom recordings of all sessions will be made available to all registered participants in the days following each session. 

Class Themes

Week 1: Intro to Continuum Movement & Mindfulness Meditation
Week 2: Sensation as Anchor and Lantern
Week 3: Feeling Tone as Guide
Week 4: Waves of Thoughts & Emotions
Week 5: The Radiance of Open Attention

About the Practices

Continuum Movement combines breath, sound, and intuitive movement to reawaken the body’s fluid, responsive nature. It centers pleasure, curiosity, and internal guidance—offering a gentle, open-ended way to move the body freely, outside of external direction and pressure.

Mindfulness Meditation is rooted in the Theravāda/Insight Buddhist tradition and cultivates awareness of the body, emotions, and mind through mindfulness. It supports the cultivation of kindness, compassion, and clear seeing by helping us relate more wisely to the conditions of our lives.

Price

$150 + fees

About the Facilitator

Steph McIsaac, PhD (any pronouns) is a New York-based medical anthropologist, movement artist, and somatic educator passionate about anti-oppressive approaches to movement, contemplative practice, and embodiment. In addition to their work as an anthropologist, Steph is a teacher and practitioner of Continuum Movement, improvisational dance, mindfulness meditation, and yoga.