The Non-Linear Movement Method® (NLMM) is a powerful somatic practice that will bring you back to your body.
Awaken greater sensitivity.
Support your system to release & unwind.
Cultivate receptivity and responsiveness.
THIS METHOD HAS MANY DEEP, POWERFUL APPLICATIONS:
1. Smooths out the nervous system
The demands of modern life create stress and tension in the body and an overactive mind. The NLMM encourages an identifying and unwinding of the patterns of contraction and through gentle, non-force movements relieves the bodily tension and underlying mental loops. The result is a systematic, self-guided unburdening of the nervous system.
2. Processes and identifies emotions
As the body unwinds and the mind relaxes its pressured pace the emotions associated with these patterns become apparent and are being let go of. You can note recurring emotional loops for further processing and at the same time allow emotions to simply rise and release.
3. Awakens erotic energy and sensual sensation
As tension, contraction and emotion are being released the body becomes sensitized and we are able to feel deeper. One of the marked results of this sensitization is an ability to feel increased pleasure and well being. Participants report an increased ability to connect through their body, both with themselves and others.
4. Releases trauma patterns into flow
One of the results of traumatic experience (fresh and old alike) is “freeze”, a state in which body, mind and emotions are stuck in a state of numbness. Often “freeze” is falsely perceived as a feeling of “calm/nothing”, which results in an inability to release the experience and ease the bodily patterns. The NLMM facilitates a continued movement, which gently opens the freeze pattern and allows for recognition and release of the underlying bodily and emotional patterns.
5. Unites mind and body in intimacy with physical sensation
Through continued engagement with the release of contraction and facilitation of emotional awareness the ingrained patterns become apparent and less pronounced. Over time physical sensation can be engaged with and the acceptance and tolerance of all sensation increases. Intimacy with whatever is present is possible.
6. Creates high bodily responsiveness
NLMM educates the body how to release and process contractions, stress and emotional tension. The body becomes highly attuned to all sensations and can note, react or release fluidly and without having to attend to a traumatic or suppressed backlog.
7. Opens access to bodily wisdom
By putting emphasis on movement and circumventing the analytical mind and loops of tense thinking the natural intelligence of our bodies is accessed. Through gentle guidance the mechanisms of “freeze” and refusal to feel are being loosened and bodily wisdom can create the necessary actions and releases.
If you are looking to join a Non-Linear Movement Method® (NLMM) class,
sign up below for whichever date suits you.
How does this work?
NLMM is facilitated on a mat or blanket. Participants dress similar to a Yoga or Dance Class, in comfortable, non-restrictive clothing.
Classes are hosted on Zoom so you can practice in the comfort of your own space. You can have your camera off so you can engage with your own processes without being observed.
The method can be practiced at any age, fitness level and mobility. The movements are designed to be self-regulating and can be done in any position, including laying down.
NLMM® method was developed by Michaela Boehm over the past 2 decades of instruction and practice and is rooted in her early training in a Kashmiri Shakta Tradition and fused with her extensive expertise in working with trauma, emotional closures, and physical contractions in her clients and students; as well as in implementing this technique in her own practice.
In recent years Steve James refined and clarified the method, added original material, and contributed significantly to formatting it for educational delivery.
Interested in becoming more embodied in just five minutes a day?
Check out my FREE Embody Your Feminine Wisdom Guided practise now.
Setting Up A Home Practice
For your home practice you can choose a few songs and practice for 10-15 minutes as a simple yet effective way to connect with your body, emotion and sensation.
Choose music that does not have lyrics and feels nourishing to you.
At home Non-Linear Movement Method® Practice:
On a mat, come onto your hands and knees. Drop your head and feel where your body meets the ground for a moment.
Let your neck relax, and feel your head hanging heavily, like a bowling ball.
Close your eyes and begin to feel how your body wants to move. Perhaps you feel some tightness that you want to attend to, perhaps there is an area you’d like to stretch.
There might be thoughts and emotions that arise as you begin to move. No matter what occurs, just continue to move your body in whatever ways it wants to move.
Make sure not to apply any breathing techniques and also to allow the movements to be nonlinear, instead of reverting to postures you know from yoga or other exercises.
Just allow yourself to feel and move, to move and feel. Allow whatever thoughts occur to rise and fall naturally.
There is no right or wrong way to do this exercise; simply allow your body to move and your body’s natural wisdom to guide you.
Sometimes you’ll be lost in thoughts, sometimes you might feel enveloped in emotions, sometimes you might just feel bored—all of which is fine— just continue moving.
You can do this movement with music as a background or in silence.
The only two rules are: keep your eyes closed and keep moving, even if you are just moving a little finger or a making a slight undulation of the spine.
You can also adjust your posture or position according to your body’s needs, by lying down or resting on your forearms instead of putting pressure on your wrists.
This exercise is best done on hands and knees, though, as this position gives you maximum movement of the spine, shoulders, and neck.
Excerpt from the book “The Wild Woman’s Way” by Michaela Boehm.
There are many NLM Playlists on Spotify as well as some on SoundCloud. (you can search by “Non Linear”)
We encourage you to create your own, ideally with music that does not have lyrics.
Enjoy!