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Welcome, thanks for visiting.
Embodied Movement offers...
Dance Movement Therapy
Yoga
Retreats.
Mindful movement practices can assist us to move towards well-being, balance and integration one breath at a time. Sessions are held in a friendly nurturing and supportive environment. It would be wonderful to meet you.
Please continue to scroll down for some information about me, photos of the studio and testimonials. Or, please click on the tabs above for timetables and class information.
Kia ora.
Hi, I am Clare. I am a Dance Movement Therapist, Yoga practitioner, Early Childhood Educator, Mother and Grandma. Over the years, I have found joy and solace in movement practices.
I value how we communicate in non-verbal ways, and respect how our personal stories, memories, wisdom, emotion and experiences are held in the body. Approaching our own unique movement vocabulary, with playfulness, curiousity and kindness can be insightful and support us to be more conscious of the choices we make and move through the world more intentionally.
Having studied ballet and contemporary dance at the Royal Academy of Dance in London, I continued to study Dance at Surrey University, Roehampton Institute in the UK. This love of somatic movement and communication enabled me to get involved in integrated community dance projects which led to a career in service management, education and advocacy work within the Health and Disability sector here in NZ.
I enjoy working with individuals and with groups, from infants, through to older adults. As a neurodivergent person, I am particularly passionate about working alongside tamariki who identify as neurodivergent and enjoy using a sensory lens in this work.
I have been teaching yoga and somatic movement for well over a decade and continue to seek out opportunities to study and learn from experienced therapists, teachers and movement practitioners.
My current movement focused work is as a Dance Movement Therapist
I work as a DMT for Mauri Tui Tuia, providing therapy for tamariki in Early Childhood Education Centres through their Relate programme. I also as part of their SELO team facilitating psycho-education supporting kaiako in using music and movement to enhance relationships with tamariki, and support a flexible nervous system, to awhi calm connection and well-being.
I also contract to DTNZ for mahi co-facilitating the Embracing Your Body. programme. This group programme used yoga and DMT to support women who have come through ACC sensitive claims. This can be accessed as 8 week group sessions or a weekend 'retreat' style format.
Clare Etherton DTAA (DMT Prof) Reg.No.219-06 , Cert in DMT, Adv Clinical Prac DMT (DTNZ) BA Hons (1st class) Dance Studies, Post Grad dip in Teaching (Auckland Uni) Yoga teacher certification (RTA).
My lovely little studio
Testimonials
"Clare has not only a deep knowledge of yoga, the body and the art of teaching, she also has a deep and gentle knowing of people and what they need, creating an atmosphere of safety, support, learning and growth. I find her classes nourishing and deeply pleasurable."
Kirsty McKay
“I have had the privilege of going to Clare's yoga classes for some years now. Clare offers a range of classes with varying levels of physical challenge so there is something to suit everyone. I really appreciate Clare's deep respect and encouragement to listen to my body and work to my own level in all of her classes. Clare is warm, empathetic, fun and a wonderful yoga teacher. I have found her classes and retreats hugely beneficial to my health and well-being and highly recommend her work to anyone who wants to give themselves a fabulous treat!"
Julie Killick
"Clare, I have been attending your yoga classes for about 7 or 8 years. I just love your yoga teaching. Each week I feel refreshed and renewed. I love your intuitive teaching style, the awareness and individual support you give each and every one of us.
You teach with compassion and sensitivity, and encourage us to appreciate ourselves and extend our practice. I am in no doubt that your weekly yoga classes have been great for me when I am well and even more so when I have encountered difficulties.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Namaste, Sarah"
Sarah Berman