Ascension Movement Programs

We partner with organisations, charities, and community groups to cultivate resilience and embodied presence. Our integrated frameworks offer somatic pathways to regulate nervous systems, release stored trauma, and RESTORE collective wellbeing.

Program formats: 2-hour sessions | Weekend retreats | Multi-week series | Custom designs

Trauma-Informed Somatic Healing for Organisations & Community Groups

Trauma-Informed Yoga & Breathwork

Through yoga & pranayama breathwork practices, including yin and restorative long slow deep movement, our facilitators create grounding spaces that support nervous system regulation, body awareness and unity of mind, body & breath.

From this foundation, greater presence, emotional resilience and embodiment can naturally unfold. This framework focuses on grounding and choice, allowing participants to explore safety in stillness and motion while regulating their nervous system responses.

HeartMath: Heart-Centered Nervous System Regulation

Through HeartMath techniques, we use evidence-informed practices that combine breath, emotional regulation and HRV (Heart Rate Variability) biofeedback to help regulate the nervous system in real time. Participants learn practical tools to shift out of stress-driven survival states and into greater balance, calm, clarity and emotional resilience.

Our Framework: Four Integrated Approaches

The Dancing Freedom Way

Dancing Freedom is a conscious dance framework that integrates movement, music, and mindfulness to unlock authentic expression. Each session follows a guided musical journey through the elements of nature —Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether—to facilitate emotional release and restoration.

These sessions honor authenticity, agency & choice. There are no steps to follow, and no right or wrong way to move. The only rule is: "You can't get it wrong!".

Many participants report feeling a sense of 'freedom' & greater self-trust following this embodiment practice.

Live Music & Sound Healing

Rhythm and sound are used as direct doorways to the nervous system. Live acoustic instrumentation and high-quality soundscapes create an immersive environment that supports safety, deep relaxation, and vibrational resonance, helping to release tension stored deep within the body's tissues.

Why Somatic Healing Matters

Our programs take a bottom-up approach to nervous system regulation, working through the body to support emotional wellbeing, stress resilience, and connection. Through practices such as yoga, breathwork, HeartMath, sound and embodied movement, we help create the conditions for the nervous system to shift from states of chronic stress and hypervigilance into greater regulation and safety.

This approach is increasingly supported by evidence showing that somatic and body-based practices can complement traditional top-down approaches such as talk therapy. While cognitive therapies support insight and understanding, bottom-up practices engage the physiological stress response directly, helping people build capacity for presence, regulation, emotional processing and connection within the body itself. Research in trauma therapy and somatic psychology suggests that integrating body-based approaches with cognitive therapies may support more comprehensive nervous system regulation and emotional wellbeing.

Shifts people from states of threat to deep trust and safety
Releases chronic hypervigilance stored within the body
Restores connection to physical sensation and intuitive wisdom
Cultivates the ability to regulate through internal and external stress
Enhances the capacity for authentic social connection and empathy
Promotes a profound nervous system reset and lasting resilience

References

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.

Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 93. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093

Koch, S. C., Riege, R. F. F., Tisborn, K., Biondo, J., Martin, L., & Beelmann, A. (2019). Effects of dance movement therapy and dance on health-related psychological outcomes: A meta-analysis update. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1806. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01806

Mehling, W. E., Price, C., Daubenmier, J. J., Acree, M., Bartmess, E., & Stewart, A. (2011). The multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness (MAIA). PLoS ONE, 6(11), e27158. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0027158

Thayer, J. F., Åhs, F., Fredrikson, M., Sollers III, J. J., & Wager, T. D. (2012). A meta-analysis of heart rate variability and neuroimaging studies. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 36(2), 747–756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.11.009

The Heart of Our Programs

Tara Fairweather
Co-Founder & Programs Director

Tara is a trauma-sensitive embodied movement facilitator, naturopath and yoga & mindfulness teacher who creates inclusive, grounded environments where participants are invited to move in ways that are authentic, self-directed & accessible. Tara is also trained in HeartMath coherence techniques & conscious dance, and integrates evidence-informed approaches that bridge embodiment, nervous system regulation and natural medicine.

As Programs Director, she leads community events and program design, helping to shape experiences that feel welcoming & uplifting, while establishing trauma-aware practice standards, and oversee evaluation frameworks to ensure alignment with community health and wellbeing objectives.

Anthony Moorhouse
Co-Founder & Music Director

Anthony specialises in live, interactive music experiences that use rhythm, sound, and real-time improvisation to engage participants in ways that feel natural, inclusive, and empowering. His professional background spans leadership training and community engagement, equipping him with the ability to build trust quickly and respond adaptively within dynamic group environments.

Anthony composes and performs live rhythmic and atmospheric soundscapes, collaborating with other musicians and participants. His music is intentionally designed to support steady engagement and embodied participation, inviting individuals to connect with rhythm in their bodies and move at a pace that feels safe and self-directed.

Begin Your Journey with Ascension

Whether you're looking for a bespoke somatic workshop, an ongoing wellbeing program, or a transformative team retreat, we're here to help. Reach out to discuss how we can support your organisation with music, movement, and embodied practices tailored to your specific needs.

Client Testimonial

“This space helped me soften the walls around my heart. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe enough in my body to really feel. I’m leaving with more self-love, more trust in myself, and a sense that my heart is actually open to connection again.”

— Program Participant