Soma and Soul

As wāhine, we gather to listen deeply to our bodies, explore movement, and express ourselves freely.

Jacqui Penn comes from a long line of energy healers and is currently practising Reiki and Homeopathy. She completed a 200-hour Embodied Yoga Flow teacher training and an Embodied Ecstatic Dance Teacher Training with Sarsha Hope. Laurie Silver is a licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist and Iyengar certified yoga instructor of 25+ years who has also been a student and assistant in the Embodied Ecstatic

15/10/2025

Term 4 has begun for Soma and Soul. 🌸💃
This is your invitation to join us tomorrow for your weekly dose of movement medicine. A supportive,nourishing space for you to show up exactly how you are and move in a way that deeply listens to your body and soul.
Thursday's 9.15 until 10.45
St Chads Church Hall, Omata Rd. NP.
$22 Cash or online banking.
ALL wahine welcome. 💫💗

06/08/2025

Tomorrow morning, Thursday, we have Jacqui on the decks and Sarah on the mic.
With a carefully curated music set and skilful facilitation we journey through free form movement expression in remberance of what it feels like to be fully alive. 💃💫
9.15 - 10.45
St Chads Church Hall
Omata,Rd. NP
$22
All wahine welcome. ✨💜

24/06/2025

Our final Movement Journey for the term takes place on Thursday, 26 July. Following this, we'll take on a two-week break.
Join our inclusive community of women and awaken to the wisdom within your own body.
All wahine welcome. ✨💜

9.15 - 10.45 am
St Chads Church Hall,Omata Rd. N.P

10/02/2025

This time last year Laurie and I finally had our long awaited photo shoot.
We were so resistant at first and it felt like a real edge for us both, yet we ended up having the most magical, fun and uplifting experience. A memory I will cherish.
I felt moved to share some of the captures and of this beautiful soul sister who left this earthly plane only a few short months ago.

This summer hasn't been the same without dear Laurie.
I miss our belly laughs till we cry, dips in the Stony, sunning ourselves on rocks, walks on the beach, delicious snacks and tea, all day conversations with long pauses in between and of course dancing outdoors with other soul sisters.

One of Laurie's greatest passions in life was Somatic Dance.
She had found her calling to share the potent medicine of movement and all that it encompasses.
Soma and Soul was born from Laurie's genius to create a nurturing space for wahine to show up just as they are, without masks or filters and listen to the wisdom of their bodies and souls.
I had the honour and privilege to be asked to collaborate with Laurie and so we did, for almost 2 years together.

And so, in the spirit of our beloved, graceful, wild, creative, compassionate, supportive and truly phenomenal woman we will dance and move our bodies and hearts together again, as always.

Starting this week the 13th and every Thursday
9.15am till 10.45am
St Chads Church Hall.
12 Omata Rd, Westown,. New Plymouth.
$22
All wahine welcome.

Sending so much love to you all,
Jacqui # # #

Photo credit to the amazingly talented

28/07/2024

Branching Out! How Somatic Dance and Travelling expand my world.

I love travelling and the opportunity to explore new directions and gain new perspectives and experiences. Likewise, through Somatic Dance, I can follow my body's impulses into new experiences that alter my perception and perspective of free-form movement.

As an assistant at the Level 1 teacher training in Portugal this year, I found a new level of freedom in movement that I hadn't previously been able to access. It was so liberating and (like the food) absolutely delicious.

Sometimes, we need to step outside our everyday routines and habits to discover a new way of seeing and being in the world. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to explore more of the world this summer and share this magical elixir of Somatic Dance.

21/07/2024

Honour your body as the precious jewel that She is.

When I came upon this beautiful wombin, seated in a herb garden at Amara Valley retreat centre in Spain, she took my breath away. I felt She was me - I was Her - we were One. A mirror of the Mother, seated on her Earthly throne.

I often visited this garden, laying my body next to her on the soft grass, sometimes rubbing the herbs to release their intoxicating scent or placing them on my tongue to savour their juices.

The garden feels like my first home, where my elemental body attunes to the environment, and all else fades away.

An invitation to stop - honour your body and Her connection to the Earth - in whatever way is most authentic for you.