E13: Conversation with Peter Appel: Speaking about somatics, how he uses a unique style called Movingness, and how somatics can help with trauma recovery

In this podcast episode I had the pleasure of talking with Peter Appel. We chat about the Somatics, his unique style of somatic movement called Movingness, and how somatic practices can help us with healing from trauma.

Peter Appel, Finland, is a yoga teacher in four traditions, dance facilitator, meditator, mental trainer, and writer. He is also the founder of MOVINGNESS – a new way of exploring the body and mind through conscious movement. With slow soothing movements, Movingness activates and relaxes the body’s major parasympathetic systems like, for example, the fascial network, the Vagus nerve(s), and affective touch.

In Peter’s experience, reconnecting with the felt sense of the body, makes it easier to connect with oneself, other people and ultimately with all living beings. It can bring us into a state of mind that is highly receptive, creative, and open. However, to interpret the fleeting sensations in the body, we also need frames. So Movingness also includes perspectives from (human) evolution, old wisdom traditions, trauma therapy, and brain science.

As Peter says: “It’s about integrating the feeling body with the thinking mind and creating a new form of dialogue. Hopefully, this can help us reframe our narratives and come together as individuals and communities.”

You can find out more info about Peter’s work via his website: https://www.movingness.com