Michael Muir Somatic Psychotherapy

---

Group Therapy Services Available

• All About You
• Coming Home (a group for gay men)
• M-Body-Ment

---

Why Try One Of Our Workshops or Groups?

My workshops and groups are about building awareness (ie bringing more of our unconscious self into our consciousness). Fundamental to building awareness is building connection with our whole being, meaning our mind as well as our body. If one of these is left out of the equation then the road to happiness is more arduous and much longer.

At the core of my work is Zapchen Somatics. This is a specialised stream within the field of Somatic Psychotherapy and while it has a long lineage is mostly attributed to the work of Dr Julie Henderson, a practicing somatic psychotherapist and Buddhist.

---

What To Expect?

All of my workshops use the gentle exercises from zapchen somatics to assist in softening and increase relaxation in the body. This is turn promotes energy redistribution (it’s like your mind focuses differently and on different places within your body) so that you get a better sense of connection and a feeling of being more settled.

All of the work is done in a private and safe place - in fact i encourage participants to show compassion for themselves and follow their ‘gut’ - if an exercise doesn't feel right - then don't do it! The exercises themselves are all easy and things we probably did as kids e.g., blowing raspberries, humming, rocking - so everyone has the necessary experience :) These exercises help us to tone the diaphragms of the body, which supports the flow of emotion and energy.

---

The M-Body-Ment Course

The M-Body-Ment course allows participants to practice the exercises a number of times over the 8 weeks, building up a set of tools that can be used to support wellbeing after the course finishes - especially during difficult times. There are opportunities to share individual experiences with the other members of the group too, in a supportive space, a community of like minded folks. Sometimes in M-body-Ment we may also do some gentle bodywork with a partner, this maybe just sitting back to back, or working with kidneys (allowing the nervous system to relax). These are more potent exercises and i want to reiterate that while I encourage people to participate - i also encourage them to respect their limits.

---

Coming Home Workshop

Coming Home is a workshop that is very similar to M-Body-Ment. The difference is that this course is for gay men and is a place where they can feel safe to be themselves. The intention of this course is for gay guys to experience being comfortable being gay.

---

All About You Workshop

The All About You workshops are monthly drop in classes, so these are not as in depth as the 8 week groups. They are a great way to "top up" if you have done an 8 week group but are also good for people who want a taste of the work before committing to 8 weeks. These workshops increase relaxation, de-stress and are a lot of fun.

As well as exercises there is an opportunity to do some free flow dance, in your own space and to your own rhythm at All About You. Again I encourage people to respect where they are at and move and flow to the music in ways that feel good. I often guide the group into their bodily experience whilst we move but ultimately this is your dance and an invitation for your own self expression.

---

Mindbodyfusion Weekender
27th -29th September 2013

Escape the stress of city life by taking a weekend out of your busy schedule and returning home to the fusion of your body and mind. Michael Muir and Curt Mason are qualified psychotherapists and experienced in meditation and bodywork.

By using this combination of mindfulness meditation and gentle bodywork, we will provide a weekend for you to drop back into yourself, take a breather from all your distracting thoughts and connect you back to your centre.

Chill out, rejuvenate and be cared for at the beautiful Yanada retreat nestled in 38 acres of secluded bush land, close to Wisemans ferry and only 1½ hour drive from Sydney CBD.

The cost of the retreat is just $450 you will receive the experience of two qualified facilitators and two nights shared accommodation with all home cooked vegetarian meals provided. Just bring yourselves and let us do the rest.

Contact Michael Muir for more information or to secure a place

---

Coming Home - Gay Men's Group
19th September for 8 weeks Thursday evenings in Redfern 7-930pm

As gay men we've spent a lot of time feeling different, wrong and often unacceptable. Even though we "get over it" and "move on" these feelings remain deep in the core of our being only to surface when we are busy, stressed or feeling vulnerable.

Coming Home is an individual journey amongst friends. It is all about connection to our bodies, to our internal wisdom, to each other and to our world.

Common outcomes from this work include; better stress management, easier sleep, less reactivity in difficult situations and greater acceptance.

As a group we will spend 8 weeks remembering how to like ourselves. We will develop a better understanding of our bodies, deepen our relationship with ourselves as well as with others and all in a supportive space, and in community.

Our practices will include meditation, gentle bodywork and authenticity derived from a somatic psychotherapy background and adapted for group work.

No prior experience necessary

---

---