RELEASE Client Story: Katherine Bishop

Before working with Claudine…

My main struggle was chronic, widespread pain, stress, tension and anxiety. Also, a feeling of helplessness; that I couldn’t find help, other than talking therapies and physiotherapy, to get to the heart of my issues.

My first experience of somatics was an online class with Claudine: the controlled, mindful movements felt good and relaxing, but it wasn’t until I attended one of her online introductory talks that I realised it was for me.

Katherine’s key points:

• The fact that the habituation of physical and emotional stress patterns become unconsciously held in the body and can be released consciously, gave me great hope.

• The message that if you can be conscious of a holding pattern, you can change it, has been very empowering. The spiritual dimension - my body is not who I am, also resonated with me.

• The fact that this is a process and not a quick fix has been supported throughout and allowed me to learn and change slowly at my own pace

• Learning practical and accessible techniques is one thing, and having these regularly reinforced is what helped me make lasting changes

• I’ve gained a deeper level of understanding though a growing awareness of my ’somatic body’ and through support with meditation practice

• I know there’s always something I can do for myself that will help me, which has given me back a bit of control in my life; I’m stronger in myself than I thought I was

• I am still learning a lot about myself and the root causes of my pain. Although it is not a linear process, I now very seldom take pain killers and I am confident about continuing the activities I enjoy as I get older.

Who would you recommend RELEASE to?

I'd recommend it to people who want to learn how to make changes for themselves and who have an interest in the mind/body connection.

What should others know about Claudine?

• On a purely practical level, she is an excellent instructor; she explains movements and concepts clearly and in an accessible way.

• Her openness and willingness to share her own experience and ’somatic journey’ has been very helpful: she doesn’t present herself as someone who is perfect or knows all the answers, but someone who is working alongside me.

• She helps you explore more deeply through meditation practice if you want to.