An accessible, yoga-informed movement and body-awareness practice for greater ease, clarity and freedom in body and voice.
Our bodies are constantly organising themselves — adjusting, responding and finding balance. But stress, habit, injury, training and the demands of everyday life can sometimes lead us to do more than is necessary.
Over time, effort that may once have been useful can become habitual.
Sometimes we also develop unnecessary tension: held in the tissue, stored in the fascia, or wired into the nervous system. Undoing that tension does not begin with movement.
ALIGNING THE SINGING BODY
It begins with observation and by meeting the needs of the nervous system, the fascia and the vagus nerve.
Through yoga-informed movement, breath awareness and mindful exploration, this practice helps us develop a clearer relationship with the body's natural systems of support, movement and balance, and find ways of moving that are efficient, strong and suited to our own bodies.
At the heart of the work is active relaxation: a state in which the body is awake and responsive.
It is stability without rigidity, softness without collapse.
THE PRACTICE
Voice does not exist in isolation.
Whether we sing, speak, teach or simply move through the world, the way we breathe and express ourselves is shaped by the body we live in.
This series begins with slowing down and observing what is already happening. Rather than trying to correct or improve, we create space to notice: where there is effort, where there is support, and where the body might have other possibilities.
Through breath, sensation and simple explorations of movement, we begin to recognise patterns of holding and effort in our own structure, and to pay attention to how the body organises itself. This allows us to be specific in where we release tension.
From there, we work with three points of alignment: the pelvis, the torso and the head. Through yoga-informed postures and movement, we explore how the body can strengthen where support is needed and soften where effort has become unnecessary.
There is no single “correct" way to organise the body. Instead, we pay attention to what helps, what gets in the way, and what might be possible instead.
With this attention, breathing, movement and sensation may begin to change. For those who work with voice, this can give vocal technique and expression more space to function freely.
We are used to following instructions, correcting ourselves and responding to external feedback. This practice asks us to listen to something closer: the information coming from our own bodies.
LEARNING TO LISTEN
Practice Structure
The course is in three units which build on one another. Each unit comprises of a live online sessions (90 minutes each) with two guided practice recordings (approximately 45–60 minutes each) following every live session.
The live sessions allow new principles to be introduced through guided movement, it allows the teacher to also observe participants movements and there is room for questions and for the group's own needs to shape the work.
The recordings are where the real change happens. Repetition, experience and regular practice do what information alone cannot: they give the body time to absorb new patterns, deepen awareness, and gradually let the work settle into everyday life.
This course is accompanied by a little “How to Use” guide, with suggestions for building your practice and ways to use or mix up the videos as the course develops.
If useful during the course there are options of solo 1-1 classes with Asia to support the practice. These are booked individually and directly with Asia by e-mail: info@asiajokiel.com
Details can be found here: www.asiajokiel.com
Live Sessions
Session 1 — Finding Support
Creating freedom for breath and resonance Dates 2027 Jan 30th: 19:00 GMT: (live) 90 mins Feb 1st: recording of the live class available online Feb 16th: 2nd class (recorded) 45-60 mins March 9th: 3rd class (recorded) 45-60 mins Creating freedom for breath and resonance Once support is established, alignment is explored across different positions and through gentle yoga-informed movement. As the body grows more balanced and responsive, the breath becomes a kind of instrument — telling us, more honestly than words can, when we have drifted from a place of ease. Rather than trying to change the breath, the practice is to listen to it: where it moves freely, and where it doesn't, gently maps the places the body is still holding on, and the places alignment has already begun to set free. Topics include: - finding balance between stability and flexibility - activating the body without unnecessary bracing - exploring alignment in different positions - freedom through the diaphragm, psoas and abdominal wall - support from the upper back and shoulder blades - reading the breath as a signal of ease or effort - finding ease within challenge
Session 2 — Finding Clarity
Session 3 — Bringing It Into Movement
Establishing the foundations of active relaxation Dates 2026/2027 Dec 19th: 19:00 GMT: (Live) 90 mins Dec 20th: 2nd class (Recorded) 45-60 mins: a summary of our live class in a practical easy to follow class Jan 5th: 3rd class (recorded) 45-60 mins Alignment begins here not as a fixed posture, but as a living experience. Small shifts in alignment can reduce unnecessary effort and build a body that naturally supports breathing and voice. Topics include: - the three points of alignment — pelvis, torso and head - grounding through the feet - length through the spine - the relationship between pelvis, ribs and head - recognizing unnecessary muscular effort - releasing the diaphragm and psoas - resetting the nervous system - the first experience of active relaxation
Integrating support, breath and ease into movement Dates 2027 April 3rd 19:00 GMT: (Live) 90 mins April 13: 2nd class (recorded) 45-60 mins April: 27th: 3rd class (recorded) 45-60 mins In the final session, these principles move. The question becomes how the body stays aligned while changing position, walking, moving through space — and how that quality of ease can carry into performance and into daily life. The emphasis shifts from thinking about alignment to recognising it, through sensation, as the body responds with greater clarity, balance and freedom. Topics include: - dynamic alignment - moving without unnecessary effort balance and weight transfer - maintaining ease during movement - integrating active relaxation into daily practice
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
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a cushion for sitting
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a rolled blanket
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a belt or yoga strap
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1-2 tennis balls (the ball should have a little give and be smooth and this size)
For home practice, a yoga mat is nice and two yoga blocks are helpful — two sturdy books work just as well — though neither is essential.
PRICING
To mark the beggining of this collaboration we're offering this first course at a special introductory price.
FULL ONLINE PROGRAMME £100
(Threshold course-takers price)
Inc. VAT
FULL ONLINE PROGRAMME £135
(non-course takers)
Inc. VAT
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is open to everyone.
This practice was developed alongside vocal and performance training, but you do not need to be a singer, performer or experienced mover to take part.
It is for singers and non-singers. For actors, teachers and performers. For people who spend long hours sitting, standing or working at a desk.
And it is also for anyone who feels tired, disconnected from their body, or simply curious about moving and breathing with greater ease.
No previous experience of yoga or movement practice is required.
You do not need to be flexible.
You simply need a body, some curiosity, and a willingness to pay attention.
“Rather than replacing my existing training, I found Asia’s work to be deeply complementary. It has helped me to understand that ease is not the opposite of intensity, but can in fact support greater precision”
- Marta
About Asia
Asia Jokiel is a movement and yoga teacher based in the Netherlands with over 4,000 hours of teaching experience since 2017. Her background includes Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, breath work and myofascial release, with a strong focus on the relationship between movement, breath and the nervous system.
Her current work brings these tools into a practical bodywork practice for singers, supporting breath capacity, vocal ease, coordination and efficient use of muscular effort. She works with principles of alignment, fascia and recovery to help reduce unnecessary tension and improve freedom of expression in the voice.
Her approach is grounded in a simple idea: clarity in the body comes not from doing more, but from removing what is unnecessary.
For more info visit her website: www.asiajokiel.com