Jamie McHugh, MA, MSMT Somatic Movement Therapy – Dance and Movement Therapies – Meditation and Mindfulness – Creative Arts

I am the creator of Somatic Expression® – Body Wisdom for Modern Minds. It is dedicated to the art and craft of conscious, creative, and compassionate relationship with one’s own body.

My work with somatic self-care is centered around pragmatic resources, personal agency, informed choices, and collective wisdom.

I know this territory well, having lived with a chronic health condition for over 40 years.

https://somaticexpression.com/

NatureBeingArt – my abstract nature photography and videos – is my celebration of the larger body of the Earth. This personal practice of over 50 years became public in 2007 with my first exhibit. It has evolved into videos coupled with ambient music online for deep relaxation.

https://www.naturebeingart.org/

In essence, both bodies of work are expressions of love for both the inner and outer landscapes.

I am here to support the tender and the wild parts of your being through guided practices, open exploration, creative response and reflection.

Individual Sessions and Group Classes are Sliding Scale according to your economic means.

Somatic Expression® – Body Wisdom for Modern Minds

Somatic Expression® is the art and craft of conscious, creative and compassionate relationship with one’s own body. I have developed this somatic-expressive approach to embodiment over four decades of lived research and global teaching.

Somatic Expression is an umbrella for my work, which has included training movement-based expressive arts therapists (Tamalpa Institute) and graduate students in holistic health (John F Kennedy University), leading ongoing groups for people with cancer and HIV, and creating curriculums for bodily-based meditation (Embodied Mindfulness) and bodily-based nature connection (EcoSomatic Expression).

Somatic Expression weaves together the five universal somatic technologies: breath, vocalization, contact, movement and stillness with individual subjective expression for health, art and insight. These technologies have been used in various forms by cultures worldwide since the beginning of time for health and healing.

This holistic approach draws from modern methods, such as Body-Mind Centering®, Continuum Movement®, and the Tamalpa Life/Art Process®, as well as long-standing traditions such as Mindfulness Meditation (Thich Nhat Hanh) and Indigenous Healing (Pomo healer Lorin Smith).

Updating this body wisdom for modern minds is the driver behind Somatic Expression’s offerings, with contemplative practices to bring you closer to your own nature and expressive practices to connect you to the larger body of life.

The Five Technologies

These are invitations for collaborative participation with your nature:

• Breath – the primary doorway to self-regulation
• Vocalization – breath made visible through vibration and expression
• Self-Contact – tactile presence for orientation, perception and comfort
• Movement – spontaneous and intentional motion
• Stillness – non‑action, rest, and assimilation

Explore Somatic Expression®

Whether you are interested in individual sessions, group classes, or simply learning more about Somatic Expression®, I welcome your curiosity and questions.

Sessions are available virtually, and individual sessions and group classes are offered on a sliding scale according to your economic means.