Featured Event: Somatic Breathwork with Adam Carbary
It’s an auspicious Friday, a Friday the 13th in fact, and the night before an annular solar eclipse. One might think that this was all part of the plan for Adam Carbary’s Somatic Breathwork session at Urban Yogis. There’s a buzz in the space as folks enter the studio. Several have taken a session with Adam before and are excited to be back, as one said: “These sessions are life changing.”
Urban Yogis is a beautiful space in the heart of downtown Everett, Washington. Upon entering, you find the welcome desk and retail space with fragrant candles and accessories. The practice space is in an adjoining room with mirrors and therapeutic lighting to enhance the experience. Tonight the lights are a dimly lit green.
Somatic Breathwork
Somatic practices are focused on working with the body to relieve stress through internal awareness. As Adam details on his site, Embrace and Expand:
Somatic Breathwork employs circular connected breathing coupled with rhythmic music to produce a cathartic emotional release. This release may be in the form of moving, shaking, yelling, crying, or laughing. Using the breath, you will engage your innate ability to heal and sweep out any defenses, blockages, restrictions, or pains that hold you back from who you are and how you want to show up in this world.
It sounds intense and on this particular day, the session was designed to be a bit more gentle as we worked with our inner child. Tonight we focused on bringing in more than working to clear out. Imagine a glass of muddy water, the most effective way to remove the dirt is to add more clear water rather than pull out each grain of dirt.
Drawing In
As each person was settled with their yoga mats and journals, Adam began the facilitation by explaining more about the session and asking for any questions. The music was calm as we started connecting to our breath lying down and progressing to a visualization meditation. As the mind settled, the breathing techniques were introduced with occasional holds. The music changed in tempo and tone as we proceeded through each phase of clearing and integration.
At the end of the focused breathing, Adam guided us back to a seated position to journal and share as a group. Journaling is important, Adam points out, “because as humans we often forget” what we discovered. It was also highlighted that we may have more insights in the days and weeks following as our minds continue to process the experience.
Leaving the studio, I couldn’t help but notice the soft rain falling on the sidewalk. The sound was rhythmic and soothing as my senses shifted back to the external realm. Lights were brighter than usual and my feet carried my body in a slightly different way. That night sleep came quickly like a warm hug.
Adam’s offerings are detailed on the Embrace and Expand website. He shares details about public events on Instagram and his podcast is available on most streaming platforms.Instagram: @adam.carbary & @embraceandexpand
Urban Yogis is an immersive yoga studio in Everett, WA. The studio uses light, sound and scent to create a comfortable container for guests to sink into their own depth of practice. Website