In the realm of holistic well-being and mindful living, few individuals shine as brightly as Theresa Murphy. With a diverse array of expertise that spans Somatic Movement Education, Infant Developmental Movement Education, Yoga Therapy, Insight Yoga, and Prajna Teaching, Theresa is a true luminary in the world of somatic practices and self-discovery. Her journey into this multifaceted realm of holistic health and conscious living has not only transformed her own life but has also touched the lives of countless others. In this Mystic Mag‘s article, we delve into the remarkable world of Theresa Murphy, exploring her unique approach to nurturing the body, mind, and spirit, and how her holistic teachings are empowering individuals to lead lives of balance, mindfulness, and profound self-awareness.
Can you share how your journey led you to become a Somatic Movement Educator, Infant Developmental Movement Educator, Yoga Therapist, Insight Yoga Teacher, and Prajna Teacher? What inspired you to pursue these diverse paths?
In my first career, I began as a social worker in my early professional life. During that time, I discovered yoga as a means of managing stress and instantly fell in love with it. Since I was already involved in fitness, my introduction to yoga came through the fitness industry. I started delving deeper into yoga and eventually pursued multiple 200-hour teacher training courses. (200 hour training serves as the industry standard for basic level yoga instruction in the USA.) From there I explored various styles and learned from different teachers, realizing that yoga is more than just fitness and stress reduction; it encompasses a profound philosophical system that deeply resonates with me. This love for yoga teachings compelled me to continue my journey.I would seek out teachers and spend time studying with them, sustaining connection with them over years. I have gathered 6 root teachers who have deeply influenced me and 3 who have become mentors.
More recently, I decided to expand my studies by enrolling in the School for Body-Mind Centering® (BMC®). I graduated in October 2022 as a Somatic Movement Educator (SME) and this past March as an Infant Developmental Movement Educator (IDME). Through these programs, I found an embodied sense & understanding of the teachings of yoga and Dharma that had been cognitive and heart felt, but never in this way before.
Within the SME program, there were four courses focused on developmental aspects, exploring how we get from birth to walking, for instance. These courses provided me with fascinating insights into my early life and how I was cared for as a baby. This experience led me to take the next step and become an IDME.
My journeys have also offered me the chance to care for my dying mother. When my father passed away suddenly and tragically my mother was already in declining health with Alzheimer’s disease. The 4 years caring for her through to her death was a phase of my life that offered an entirely new layer of understanding, and teachings, deeply rooted in the principles of yoga and the Buddha Dharma, which I was experiencing in a profoundly different way. That is the teachings on Impermanence. During this period, I became interested in supporting people during the end of life, and I decided to become a Hospice volunteer.
Now, my work spans from birth to death, and for me, it represents a return to our shared humanity. Can we be there for each other? Can we support one another? Can we understand ourselves in a way that allows us to meet others without the interference of politics or personal preferences or life stages? This theme of a return to humanity resonates deeply within me and informs the work I am currently engaged in.
As a Yoga Therapist, you likely work with people dealing with various health issues. Could you share a memorable success story where yoga therapy made a significant impact on someone’s life?
Well I see them all as successes.. I’ve officially been a yoga therapist for ten years now, andI’ve been teaching yoga for 27 years. I’ve taught thousands of classes and I’ve also worked with thousands of private clients. They are all successes. Any time someone shows up, for whatever it is they are asked to, or agreed to, show up for – Success. Turning towards what hurts – Success. Willingness to ask the questions – Success.
I’ve had ongoing clients whom I’ve seen for years. My role has primarily been to witness their evolution as they reconnect with their bodies, address and alleviate their pain, and provide them with the tools and encouragement to confront their own challenges. I don’t see myself as the one doing the work; it’s my clients who are doing all the heavy lifting. Hearing stories of how I’ve positively impacted their lives or changed their perspectives on things is a regular and heartwarming occurrence, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be on the receiving end of such feedback.
Whether teaching classes or doing one on one work, every day I’m humbled and moved by the profound experience of having people open up to receive the info & experiences I offer. It’s intense, but I cherish it. I’m fully committed to what I do, and it’s a combination of love, passion, and a touch of fear that makes it all the more exciting – it’s my favorite combination.
In your work as a Somatic Movement Educator (SME), can you explain how somatic movement practices benefit individuals, both physically and mentally?
Yes, I would say it’s somewhat similar to yoga asana, but with some key differences. In yoga asana, there’s a specific template, such as Downward Dog or Triangle Pose, which provides a structured framework. While that’s valuable, it can also be limiting. In the physical practices of somatic movement education, I embrace a much broader spectrum of movement. Any form of movement is valid, regardless of its size or appearance. This is a fundamental difference.
In the realm of yoga, practitioners are often instructed on what to do, like “lift your arm” or “place your foot there.” In somatic movement education, the approach is client-led. I follow their cues, and I may incorporate additional information about body systems, such as the fluids, or organs, or endocrine system to enhance their experience. Unstructured or client led movement and touch are a big part of the SME work. And it’s very yogic to me in terms of being present, connecting and moving/living from the experience.
The aim is to invite individuals into a deep understanding of their own embodiment and educate them about how their bodies function. This is especially valuable when clients come with injuries, systemic issues, or even emotional distress. I believe I have access to a wide range of tools to offer them pathways into their own bodies.
My approach appears to encompass a broader perspective and emphasizes the unique needs of each client. Touch plays a significant role in my work, and the type of touch I use can vary. For instance, I might employ touch techniques specific to bones, the nervous system, or ligaments and connective tissue. In the School for Body-Mind Centering®, I learned about various forms of touch tailored to different body systems, something I didn’t encounter in my yoga training. This depth of feeling and inquiry is profound.
When I use the palm of my hand, which is made of self-knowing and self-aware skin cells, to make contact with another person’s body … .their cells, at deepening layers, tap into a level of connection that I never experienced in traditional yoga practice. Every cell in the human body is self-aware, self-knowing, and intelligent. They can communicate with each other, and this realization has added a whole new dimension to my understanding of yoga that I hadn’t encountered before these studies.
Infant Developmental Movement Education (IDME) is a unique field. How does it contribute to the overall development and well-being of infants, and how do you incorporate this into your teaching?
I would love to elaborate on this topic. It’s a rather countercultural approach, and the way our culture typically deals with babies is worth discussing in more detail – that could be a subject for another interview. Here’s my elevator pitch for what I do: I support caregivers in supporting and learning about their babies. I offer techniques and information on how to best support their baby’s natural movement development and how that happens in conjunction with how their nervous system develops and what their nervous systems can handle.
I conduct “preparing for caring” sessions with people to introduce these essential topics. It’s about teaching caregivers how to handle their babies in ways that respect and support their natural development. For example, we want to minimize startling them, in general, and especially through movement. This might be things like not dangling them from their rib cages in holding or passing them off, not moving them abruptly through space or backwards through space, supporting from underneath, using a lot of “baby ball”. It’s largely about considering how you would want to be handled! At least to start.
I provide specific guidance on how to handle babies in ways that support the natural development of their nervous systems. This means avoiding propping them up in positions that they can’t achieve themselves because that sets their nervous system on a more up-regulated path. They might stay in those positions, but whether they can truly integrate them is another matter.
By preparing and caring for a baby in a way that promotes co-regulation between the parent and baby, we foster good co-regulation skills, which in turn lead to good self-regulation skills. The idea is that these babies, by learning how to move and explore, also learn how to learn and gauge their own willingness to engage. We don’t need to teach them how to walk; they can figure it out themselves. In fact, the physiological process of learning to walk is quite different from someone holding a baby’s hands up and suggesting they step along.
Ultimately, I believe that educating caregivers on what’s best for babies to become well-integrated and well-regulated adults can make a profound difference. I think it could help save the world. That’s a different interview too!
What type of services do you offer?
I offer a variety of classes and sessions in different settings. I teach group classes in yoga studios, offering somatic movement, vinyasa yoga classes, yoga therapy classes, and yin yoga. I also offer one-on-one sessions for clients. These private sessions can take place in my home, their homes, or online, depending on their preferences and needs. I also facilitate IDME classes, called “Community Baby!”. Currently, these sessions are held every other week, but I’m planning to make them weekly by the end of the year. I also do private sessions with caregivers and babies.
Lastly, I volunteer with Hospice, where I work with individuals who are nearing the end of their lives.
So from birth to death, my aim is to be there for people and assist them in various ways, whether it’s addressing their physical or emotional needs, body pain, or mind pain. I’ve developed effective techniques for helping people manage and alleviate pain.
Working in these fields can certainly be exhausting, both as a teacher and as a practitioner. So, what practices or strategies do you employ to ensure self-care and maintain your own well-being?
Well I call what I do The Felt Sense. So I really attune to that to feel what’s needed. I have daily practices that involve meditation and physical movement. Each day, I tune in to what my body and mind are telling me. I receive messages from my cells, which guide me in deciding whether I should engage in vigorous exercise, opt for a gentler practice, or simply take some time to rest, including naps. I’m attuned to my inner needs.
Moreover, I find solace and guidance in the Dharma. It serves as my refuge, reminding me that true happiness comes from within. I have a spiritual teacher who provides me with valuable tools to refine my internal process to continue evolving on the path and meet challenges with grace. I belong to a spiritual community who also does this work and we support each other.
In essence, I’m really trying to wake up. To be an enlightened human on the planet, in the service of all beings. I prioritize the practices that engender inner freedom. I do good self-care without depriving myself of some things I love and genuinely try to enjoy life as she shows up for me.
www.TheFeltSense.com
