Since 1990
Shin Somatics®
Virtual Studio
SHIN SOMATICS® VIRTUAL STUDIO is committed to bringing balance and joy to movement, dance, and yoga.
We offer a broad range of classes for EveryBody in online experiences.
Whether you are new to Somatics or have been practicing for years, our classes are designed for all levels and backgrounds.
Shin Somatics® identifies the methods of Eastwest Somatics Institute: Start where you are. Learn as you do, and Progress with ease.
Classes are offered at an introductory rate of $22/per class. Occasional 'Open House' events will be presented at no cost to allow guests to experience the Eastwest Virtual Studio community.
*A recording is provided to all registrants within 48 hours. Live participation is not required but encouraged.
No events at the moment
Classes Offered
Experience the unique blend of Land to Water Yoga, a somatic practice rooted in infant movement patterns and human development. This form of yoga is accessible to everyone, promoting conscious movement and fluid transitions that mimic the properties of water and find footing on land. This gentle yet powerful practice enhances your flexibility, strength, and inner calm.
Land To Water Yoga & Shin Restore® Bodywork
Unleash your creativity and connect deeply with your body through Intuitive Dance Processes such as Contact Unwinding and Depth-Movement Dance and Art. These classes encourage spontaneous movement guided by inner sensations and emotions. Without strict choreography, you are free to express tension and find joy in the rhythm of your body. This liberating practice enhances self-awareness in relation to others and the life world.
Intuitive Dances
Dive into the transformative world of Butoh, an avant-garde dance form originating from Japan. This practice draws upon introspective themes, encouraging participants to explore subconscious life in ordinary and unfamiliar movement. Butoh transcends traditional dance, offering a profound and meditative experience that fosters personal insight and emotional discoveries.
Butoh & Somatic Process
Cultivate peace and mindful insight with our Meditation sessions. These classes provide a sanctuary for stillness and reflection, guiding you through techniques to focus concentration, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Whether you are new to meditation or seeking to deepen your practice, these sessions offer a tranquil space to center your practice.
Conscious Breathing &
Silent Meditation
Practice the art of effective communication. Unlock the power of listening through somatic awareness. Become acquainted with often-overlooked somatic processes as you learn to tune into non-verbal cues, enhance awareness, and create meaningful connections.
Effective Communication:
The Heart of Listening
Meet the Eastwest Virtual Studio Faculty
At Eastwest Somatics, our faculty stands at the forefront of somatic education, offering a rich tapestry of expertise and experience in movement-based learning. Each member of our team is a proud graduate of the Eastwest Somatics Institute, a testament to their deep commitment to the Institute’s philosophy and innovative Shin Somatics® teaching methods.
Founder & Director of Eastwest Shin Somatics
Sondra Fraleigh
Sondra Fraleigh is an international leader in dance, yoga, and somatic healing arts, renowned for her visionary contributions to the field. A Registered Feldenkrais® teacher and RYT 1000 yoga instructor, she certifies Registered Somatic Movement Educators and Therapists through ISMETA. With over 40 years of teaching experience, including her role as professor and department chair at the State University of New York at Brockport, Sondra has shaped countless lives through her expertise and mentorship. A Fulbright Scholar, acclaimed author, and innovative choreographer, she developed Shin Somatics®, a transformative approach to healing and personal growth. Her influence extends worldwide, inspiring movement practitioners across the USA, Europe, Japan, Mexico, and India.
Faculty
Michelle Iklé
Michelle Iklé (MFA; RSMT/RSME) is Associate Professor in the Department of Dance and Movement Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. She is on the faculty at Eastwest Somatics Institute and a certification instructor of Shin Somatics® methods. Iklé specializes in modern and jazz dance pedagogy, contemporary partnering, somatic education, kinesiology, and performance. Passionate about jazz dance pedagogy, she has shared her historically rooted, inclusive methodologies at national dance and somatic education conference venues for more than fifteen years. Iklé continues to perform as an independent artist and has recently enjoyed performance opportunities in parks, along rivers, at art galleries, in parking lots, on grass, in water, in fields, on bridges, at wineries, and even cemeteries! Her resume includes more than forty choreographed works, including work commissioned or selected for regional and national performance venues. Her current choreographic pursuits explore contemporary perspectives on modern dance and jazz choreography, expressions of embodied memory, and place dances in the environment.
Faculty
Debra Lacey
Debra Lacey is a dynamic artist and educator with decades of experience as a dance teacher, performer, and choreographer. Her multidisciplinary approach bridges art, spirituality, science, and academia, enriching her movement practice with profound depth and versatility. Inspired early in her career by the Martha Graham Company, Debra trained in Modern Dance at the Graham School and later honed her artistry through the precision and discipline of Ballet. She has held key roles, including creating the Modern Dance program at the Nevada Ballet Theater Academy and serving as Associate Artistic Director for the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater.
Debra's continuous exploration into somatic practices, Laban Movement Analysis, and Bartenieff Fundamentals has revolutionized her movement vocabulary, blending technical mastery with instinctive, expressive truth. Through her innovative work, she inspires students to cultivate their own meaningful connection to Dance and the power of movement.
Faculty
Lani Weissbach
Lani Weissbach is a celebrated director, teacher, choreographer, and performer with a distinguished career spanning contemporary dance, somatics, and yoga. For over 35 years, her deep exploration of butoh has been a profound influence on her artistic work. As the founder and artistic director of Shen & Bones Performance Group, Lani created and performed evocative works described as “quiet introspection, raw power, evocative imagery and dark themes.” Her performances have been featured nationwide, including venues like Cleveland Public Theatre, The Vangeline Theater in NYC, and The D.C. Arts Center.
An accomplished writer, Lani is the author of a contributing chapter in Geographies of Us: Ecosomatic Essays and Practice Pages (Routledge Press, 2024). She is set to graduate in 2025 from a mindfulness meditation teacher certification program led by renowned experts Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Currently, Lani serves as the Director of Embodied Learning for the Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective and teaches nationally for universities and organizations. Holding an MFA in dance, she is also a Master Somatic Movement Educator/Therapist (MSME/T) with ISMETA and an E-RYT 500 yoga teacher, blending her unparalleled expertise to inspire students and audiences alike.
