Soma With Max

03/02/2026

“Mudita is the ultimate friendship goal 🪷” ~

29/01/2026

Since the age of 16, I’ve been in constant dialogue with yoga’s roots. I value the potency of its teachings and practices, and I seek to preserve their essence, while offering them in a way that is skilful, accessible, and relevant to the wide spectrum of human experience in the world we live in today.

Yoga’s roots already carry an aspect of trauma sensitivity. If you read the Yoga Sūtras and other yogic texts (not all) closely, you begin to notice that yoga is, in a sense, hierarchical, but not necessarily in a Western or imperial way. Yoga repeatedly reminds us to start small, go slow. Not all practices are meant for all bodies or nervous systems states at all times. Entering a practice too soon, or too intensely, can create too much fire or too much agitation. Not good if your window of tolerance is small.

Tapasya, often misunderstood as force or austerity, is really about tending the fire of practice, of sadhana. Keeping the flame alive, but manageable, not flickering and not extinguished. From our nervous systems point of view, essentially, this can be seen as staying within our ‘window of tolerance’. Meaning, we can observe/study our bodily signals that tell us, yes or no or not right now. Boundaries.

The 8 limbs (or aids) of yoga are a great way to see this. The 8 aids start from gross/worldly body to more subtle and invisible. This is how yoga, with emphasis on trauma sensitivity, works - from gross movement to subtle in order to stay within the window of tolerance and gradually expand it over time. I have more to say on this topic so I think I’ll write a longer post on the 8 limbs and how they relate to trauma/CPTSD. Let me know if that would interest you?

I’m learning so much by watching this flame(tapas), when it turns to an ember, or when it’s roaring, when I’m doing too much, and when I’m doing too little. And then, slowly restoring balance through resourcing: choosing the right practices(resources), and the amount of said practice, for a particular state. It feels nourishing knowing how to tend to this balance with the appropriate resources.

Beautiful threads by .sabicollections 🌸🙏🏻

Let me know if you found this post helpful?

29/01/2026

awakening killed my ambition.

https://open.substack.com/pub/somawithmax/p/when-theres-nothing-left-to-burn?r=2zmg3f&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay

29/01/2026

Supporting my wonderful friend and her beautiful threads 🌸💕🧡 WABI SABI Collections

21/01/2026

Prithvi Mudra (Earth Gesture) ~ Earth, Grounding, Stability. Increase earth element, 🌳 reduce fire 🔥 (used for therapeutic purposes)

Also known as Mayūra Mudrā (in classical Indian dance used for creative expression) which literally means “the seal of the peacock.”
In the yogic and ta***ic texts, the peacock symbolizes the power to digest poison and transform it into vitality, representing mastery of agni — the inner fire that assimilates experience and sustains life.

We are digesting our life experiences.

In meditation, form Prithvi Mudra or Mayūra Mudrā by touching the thumb and ring finger together with the other fingers extended(+ relaxed), then rest the hands comfortably and allow the breath and awareness to settle naturally.

When to practice:
• During prāṇāyāma or meditation
• At the end of an asana practice
• When you feel energetically “full,” overstimulated, or emotionally heavy

NB: short meditations are great. Long meditations don’t make you holier than thou 🙂

No pushing or trying to fix. It’s an invitation to create the conditions for our body-minds natural intelligence to do what it already innately knows.

Friday & Saturday morning sadhana in the park ~
https://parkyoga.co.za/

See you on the mat 🪷 🌞🪷

16/01/2026

Hello sādhaka (practitioners) 🧘‍♀️ 🌳

Our morning practice (sadhana) is back. You’re welcome to pre-pay to book your spot at the link in my bio.

⸻

🗓️ Saturday 17th | 7-8AM
📍 https://shorturl.at/9thkb
🌥️ 19°
💨 Light breeze
🌞 UVI Low

You’re invited to reframe yoga, not as something we do, but first as a spiritual practice, an inquiry into the Self.

Listening - turn toward your inner landscape with curiosity. A remembering of our true nature.

Our yoga asana practice offers space to meet ourselves as we are, to move, or rest, in ways that feel supportive. You’re welcome to participate in whatever way feels right for you on the day, or simply to be held by the rhythm of practice.

You don’t need to be flexible, motivated, or inspired. Just come as you are. That’s enough.

See you on the mat, under the trees 🧡

Hari Om
Max

11/12/2025

ParkYoga this weekend. Click the link to book - https://parkyoga.co.za/ See you on the grass under the trees :)

Outdoor yoga for everyOne. Under the sky. On the grass. In community.

19/11/2025

Link in bio for the full post. INjoy :)

19/11/2025

Where would we be without sensations in our body? I mean that literally - could we even call it living? Are you alive right now?

If this topic speaks to you and you end up reading the full piece, first of all, thank you. And if you feel like liking or even leaving a comment about what came up for you, I’d really appreciate it. I’m interested in engaging on some level.

I have a feeling this is just part one of many to come.

Link to the full article: https://somawithmax.substack.com/p/why-sensation-matters-the-body-as