Kinesthetic Bliss and Bamboo YogaPlay   ~   by Scott W. Badenoch, Jr.

In elephantjournal.com on Jul 15, 2010

"Through movement you discover the stories held inside your body; and through the power of expression and creativity, you begin to write the new ones." ~ Sofiah Thom

I met Sofiah Thom through a friend of mine who told me I absolutely had to meet her and her husband Brendan when I was down in Costa Rica. I heard they had a beautiful yoga studio and accompanying lodging there—a perfect complement to the "roughin' it" mentality my travel partner and I had had throughout most of our two weeks in CR.

When we showed up, we immediately fell in love. Not only could we get our first yoga session in since our trip began, but we could also relax in our lovely room and covered porch overlooking the trees of Dominical. We felt that after so many long hikes and crazy adventures, this was the perfect way to end our trip. It was.

What I did not realize was that Sofiah's style of yoga would truly change my practice, and not just my yoga practice either, but my life practice. While you are taking her class, her mellifluous voice describes a Way. I call it a Way because "technique" or "style" would inadequate to describe it. The Way she describes is steeped in an ancient meditation tradition that she and I both serendipitously practice. The tradition called Latihan would be far too complex for me to describe, yet one of the key understandings is that we as spiritual beings have a direct connection to the greater Spirit and that through this connection we can heal ourselves and even evolve ourselves. While I have been practicing Latihan for almost a year now and yoga for several, I'd never seen the direct connection between the two—until Sofiah.

When she describes her Way, the Bamboo YogaPlay, she uses the phrase Kinesthetic Bliss, or in layman's terms, go with what your body tells you is right, whether that's a pose that feels especially good or one that feels challenging, if your body says yes, so do you. What this creates is a discussion between your mind/spirit center and your body that is truly liberating. Much of our world has separated the Self from the physical self; Sofiah's Way teaches people how to find an uncanny harmon

y between often discordant parts of one's being.

As I found myself in variations of poses I'd never considered, simply because Sofiah encouraged me in the moment to listen to the impulses within the body asking for a different motion here or an extension there, I felt incredibly deeply the meaning of the phrase "kinesthetic bliss." Simply put, she provided me the space to be open with myself to explore what was really right for me, not just what my yoga teacher claimed was.

Since her class, I must admit, it's been nearly impossible for me to attend other yoga classes (I even canceled the membership I had at the local studio). They are too formulaic or rigid, disconnected and patterned. Now, I base my yoga practice on the places my body wants to go. When you quiet your mind and allow your body to lead, magic happens. I have Sofiah to thank. What I'm looking forward to now is my next lesson with Sofiah to further my introduction to this powerful Way. Fortunately for those in Colorado, she's there for a couple weeks—get ready for a deeper connection to your own self-originated bliss.

elephant journal is dedicated to "bringing together those working (and playing) to create enlightened society." We're about anything that helps us to live a good life that's also good for others, and our planet. >>> Founded as a print magazine in 2002, we went national in 2005 and then (because mainstream magazine distribution is wildly inefficient from an eco-responsible point of view) transitioned online in 2009.

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9 Responses to "Boulder, Denver event: Sofiah Thom. ~ Scott W. Badenoch, Jr."

1. David McQuaid says:
July 16, 2010 at 05:14
Sofiah Thom is awesome! If you're ever so fortunate to be in Dominical, Costa Rica, you have to check out her yoga studio Bamboo...this will be well worth it!

2. Durian Songbird says:
July 16, 2010 at 05:43
I've been to her dance workshop called Embody Grace. It was amazing. I highly recommend it!

3. Mike Kahr says:July 16, 2010 at 05:28
Sofiah was actually one of my first Yoga teachers while I was on vacation in Costa Rica. The combination of blending the mind and body in a beautiful location was a great initiation for myself. I continue in my awakening and am deeply grateful to Sofiah for opening my eyes inward.

4. sofiah thom says:
July 16, 2010 at 07:43
Thanks so much for all the comments and support. I feel the love and It brings me so much joy to plant the seeds for deeper embodiment, grace and expression.
I am excited to take my jungle magic and plant some seeds in Colorado, California and Oregon on my little tour!
Many blessings....
Sofiah Thom

5. billy woods says:
July 16, 2010 at 08:25
bamboo yoga is a wonderful place to visit and study in Dominical, Costa Rica

6. alicia says:
July 16, 2010 at 14:58
Sophia is truely a brilliant embodiment of spirit on the path of sharing her light and wisdom with the world.

7. juliette says:
July 16, 2010 at 15:18
best yoga ever- sofiah is incredible!

8. Costa Rica Yoga | Sofiah Thom Article | Bambooyogaplay.com says:
July 16, 2010 at 09:44
[...] as he calls it. It is a moving piece spoken from the heart, please take the time to view it. [...]

9. Jim Matto-Shepard says:
July 16, 2010 at 16:55
I ran across Sophia at Burning man a couple of years ago, but was still amazed to see the synchronistic connectivity described in this article. I am a somatic psychologist who has focused on Soul Motion dance for the last few years. Lately I have been looking into following the pleasure in my body as a guide, and trying to see how to language that to others in a way that transmits what mean. Focusing first on "reflexivity" as the quality of mind (similar to "mindfulness") that is created when we feel securely attached. This state — fostered through the relationship between mind and body — opens the question of what, of all that courses through, one should align with or follow. I have thought of this as what is authentic, interesting, and/or what leads to a greater sense of connection. I can't wait to go to Costa Rica. Or to see what else will occur in regard to this.