Somatic Practice

Hello there!

There are some new faces around here so it seems like a good time to say hi and introduce myself. My name is MD (they/them), I am the genderfluid/non-binary and q***r human behind Somatic Practice. I am a multidisciplinary artist and careworking millennial who has spent the majority of their adult life confronting their intergenerational trauma and finding creative and holistic ways to heal. This is precisely what brings me to the work that I do. The most important thing you should know about me is that I am a proud Zia! I am a second generation settler of Italian decent (maternal) and third-generation Danish (paternal), residing in Tkaronto (Treaty 13 territory).

Some of the carework you will find me offering here include, somatic oriented counselling/psychotherapy, bodywork, somatic movement and embodiment coaching/education, consulting and facilitation work. If interested, you can read more about the lineages and modalities that inform my somatic work on my website. I offer both one-on-one and group support, and I work with people of all ages, orientations and intersections. In addition to somatic therapy/bodywork, I provide doula support to birthing people and their families during the prenatal and postpartum period, which includes childbirth education and perinatal counselling. I also work at a youth gender clinic offering psychosocial support to young people who are gender diverse, non-binary, gender questioning, trans and everything in-between! As a movement teacher in the community, you can catch me at Toronto in Parkdale teaching weekly classes!

I wear many hats (and I also have ADHD but we make it work, lol)! I come into these practices as a neurodiverse artist and survivor, cultured by personal experiences with severe trauma, anxiety and volatile environments. As a politicized careworker, I position myself in service amid collective trauma and community liberation for all. My work is rooted in firm values of abolition/restorative justice, intersectional feminism, deconditioning colonialism and harm reduction. My offerings are relational, de-pathologizing and highly reflective. Thanks for being here friend! ✊🏻✌🏻🍉🏳️‍⚧️

🐣Bun = BACK!!

Bun in the Oven will be taking place over four Sundays between October 15 and November 5.

Bun in the Oven is a 4-week prenatal series tailored to the unique needs of the pregnant body. Bun focuses as much on community connection, discussion, and the co-creation of a container of care as it does on the diaphragm, the pelvic floor and the breath. We want you to leave Bun feeling empowered by the knowledge you've taken away and added to your pre-birth toolkit!

We will explore:
Core muscle connection, restorative shapes, nervous system regulation, mind-body awareness, sound meditation tools + more.

Link is in our bio for all the good stuff :)

✨BUN IN THE OVEN… is back! A Prenatal Movement & Self-Care Series! ✨

April 1, 8, 14, 22
Offered in-studio

Each 75-minute session will build on the one prior. The first session will set the foundations of the practice as we cultivate greater mind-body awareness in preparation for labour. Using movement, visualization and breath, our starting exercises will focus on relaxation, deep connection and "tuning out the noise".

As we progress, the focus will include pelvic floor connection to deepen our understanding of these muscles and their role during pregnancy, labour and birth.

Connect to the rhythms of the moving body that aid in labour and explore restorative shapes that encourage rest, grounding and a sense of surrender. Together, we will co-create a container of care that centres the body, mind and spirit in community. Sound healing tools will be incorporated into the sessions.

Cost: $150 + HST

In an effort to make our services more accessible to a larger range of financial abilities, we have two lower cost pricing options available. Please reach out if you feel you qualify for this, no questions asked. Sign up at the .to website or through the link in our bio