1:1 Somatic Coaching with Michèle Saint-Michel
Sometimes the body knows before the mind does.
My somatic coaching sessions are a place for you to slow down, listen inward, and move with presence. Whether you're feeling fogged, stuck, burned out, or cracked open by a transition—you don't need to navigate it alone. We’ll listen to what the body is already whispering, and help you realign with what’s true.
These sessions are a soft place to land. And then begin again.
“There’s nothing else like this in my life. Somehow I got more done this week than I have in forever. ”
Come exactly as you are.
There’s no need to rehearse what you’ll say. No performance required. We begin with arrival—with sensing, not solving.
I’ll guide you into your body with gentle prompts. You might notice breath, tension, a flicker of feeling. We follow that—not to analyze, but to listen.
This is not talk therapy.
It’s not about fixing.
It’s a shared attention to what’s alive in you—physically, emotionally, quietly.
Sessions often include:
Somatic inquiry (body-based reflection)
Gentle resourcing techniques to support nervous system regulation
Invitations to notice sensation, image, gesture, and impulse
Time to integrate what emerges
Some clients speak a lot. Some don’t.
Some cry, stretch, laugh, or sit in silence.
There is space for all of it.
We close each session with grounding and clarity: What’s shifted? What’s ready to be carried forward?
This is how change begins—not with force, but with felt truth.
Michèle Saint-Michel directing a Somatic filmmaking session in her London studio with artist-filmmaker Clara Helbig.
“I left feeling clear, energized, and actually excited to take the next steps in my project.”
A studio visit with internationally exhibiting sculptor, Ellie Pearch. Mile End, London, 2025.
This is a space for what doesn’t always make it into words.
For what lingers in the body long after the moment has passed.
Together, we might explore:
Decoding burnout and building nervous system capacity
The quiet griefs that never got named—but stayed
Patterns of over-adapting, over-giving, or shrinking to fit
Reconnecting with the body as a site of safety and signal
Making aligned decisions—without abandoning yourself
The return of desire, intuition, or voice
Crafting new rhythms for a life that actually fits you
There’s no script. No pressure to perform insight.
We follow what’s alive—whether it’s still tangled or just beginning to emerge.
This isn’t about fixing.
It’s about attunement.
Small, steady shifts that ripple outward.
You don’t have to be certain.
Only willing.
Michèle St. Michel in the gallery with acclaimed Taiwanese filmmaker, Riley Tu. London, 2025.
“Michèle will help you learn to work with grace, elegance, and precision. Work with her, trust her, and watch magic happen.”
Michèle St. Michel, curator, artist, and founder of Soft Studio.
My work lives at the intersection of care, memory, and form. From grief rituals and somatic writing to poetic films and curated spaces, I’ve spent years creating containers for what feels unspeakable—but insists on being heard.
Through projects like Grief is an Origami Swan, I’ve learned that transformation isn’t loud. It’s tender. It’s often slow. It begins in the body.
Soft Studio is an extension of that ethos:
Not a program. Not a fix.
A place to listen closely, move gently, and begin again—with care at the center.
When we work together, you’ll receive:
Attuned, non-performative feedback that centers your voice—not mine
Strategic support rooted in clarity, not cookie-cutter formulas
Honest timelines, thoughtful follow-up, and space to integrate
Gentle accountability that respects your pace and your boundaries
I’ve worked with over 230 artists through exhibitions, screenings, and intimate one-to-one sessions. I’ve produced seven publications (and counting) through my imprint, Bad Saturn. My work has appeared at Prismatic Ground Festival, APT Gallery, Cubitt Artists, hARTslane, and the Maysles Documentary Center—and, once, unexpectedly, on The Today Show.
Whether you're rebuilding after burnout, navigating transition, or simply ready to return to yourself, I’ll meet you there—with presence, discernment, and deep respect.
Do I need to live in New York to work with you?
No. Most Soft Studio offerings are available online, and I regularly work with artists across the U.S., UK, and globally. I’m based in Brooklyn, and in-person sessions are available on request.
I'm not sure which offering is right for me. What should I do?
Start with the 2-minute interest form or email me directly. I’ll help you figure out what fits best based on your goals, budget, and current needs.
Do you offer sliding scale?
Yes. Most artists I work with choose the true cost tier, and some choose supported or supporter tiers depending on what’s possible. That’s how we keep it mutual. No proof required. I trust you to choose what’s right.
Do you work with institutions or collectives?
Yes. I regularly collaborate with artist-run spaces, festivals, and cultural organizations. I’m available for curation, consultation, and creative programming partnerships.
What happens after I submit the booking form?
You’ll receive a follow-up email with proposed dates, payment details, and any prep suggestions. Everything is paced with intention and designed to respect your time and energy.
Start with the lightest step:
→ Begin Here » Fill out this short 2-minute form and I’ll reach out with next steps.
📍 Soft Studio is based in Brooklyn and sometimes London, working with clients worldwide.