Summertime and the living is—wild

Hello everyone,

I’ve been noticing something lately, both in myself and in the people I work with—they hold back.

It’s not always dramatic or obvious, but builds over time. Tension in the shoulders, breathing is a little more shallow, a moment of hesitation before speaking or moving.

It’s just something the body has learned to do. Whether from stressful situations, hunching over a desk all day, or past learned behaviors that kept us safe.

Over time, though, it can start to feel like effort. Like you're managing yourself throughout the day—trying to stay composed, get things right, or not disrupt anything.

And eventually, it can create a sense of disconnection. Maybe feeling stuck or uneasy. Or maybe just craving a fun release.

🥭 Summertime Flow

I’m offering two workshops this June focused on flow, fun, and release.

In somatic work, we’re learning to notice sensations in the body more clearly.

• Where are you holding?
• Where do you flow freely?
• What happens if you don’t step in right away to control or change it?

That shift alone—just listening to the feedback your body is giving you—can open up something different.

What People Often Notice

As they stay with the process, a few things tend to shift:

• More body awareness — tension, breath, movement
• Less judgment — more curiosity about holding
• Natural expression — movement or writing without forcing
• Awareness + creativity — not overthinking, just being

💃🏻 Two Workshops in June

I’m offering two workshops this month that explore this process from slightly different angles. They work well on their own, but also build on each other.

Whimsical & Wild — Where I Hold, Where I Flow
Sat, Jun 13 | 9am–12pm CT | Online

This session focuses on noticing. Where you tend to hold, where movement is already present, and what changes when you stop trying to manage it so tightly.

Whimsical & Wild — Reclaiming Your Wild Heart
Sat, Jun 20 | 9am–12pm CT | Online

This builds from release and moves more into expression. Once there’s a bit more space, we explore what it feels like to move, write, or express without needing it to be controlled or “good.”

Both workshops include:

• simple, accessible movement
• guided reflection (writing/sketching)
• conversation + optional sharing
• a grounded understanding of what’s happening in the body

🎥 A little camera shy? Feel free to step out of view while you move. This is all about you feeling free and flowing.

Respond to this email with any questions or curiosities. I read and respond to each and every one.

Warmly,

Sarah

💖 P.S. If someone comes to mind who might benefit from this kind of work, feel free to share it with them, or send them to softsmilesomatics.com to explore.

💖 P.P.S. I’ve also been thinking about offering an in-person version of these workshops in Minnesota later this summer or fall. If that would interest you, I’d genuinely love to hear from you.