What is somatic yoga and how can it help me?
The word ‘somatic’ gets used a lot now, if you’re wondering what it means, and why somatic yoga and movement is different, then have a read of this article.
In it I explain why somatic yoga is so helpful to support your physical and mental wellbeing. And how you can apply it successfully in your daily or weekly routine.
A beautiful mandala display from one of my workshops.
What is Somatic Yoga or Movement?
Firstly, let’s start with a definition of what somatic means. Somatic simply means within the body. When we work somatically, we are using an approach or perspective that emphasises the connection between the body and the mind.
It originates from the Greek word "soma," which means body. In a therapeutic context, somatic practice focuses on bodily sensations, movements, and experiences as pathways to understanding and healing psychological and emotional issues.
This approach recognises that the body holds memories, stress, and trauma. These can be felt in the body as emotions, sensations, tension, illness, inflammation, and pain. Therefore, bringing awareness to these physical sensations and ailments can lead to profound healing and transformation.
Somatic methods often include mindful movement, breathwork, and awareness of bodily sensations, facilitating a deeper connection to your Self. I use it all the time in my psychotherapy, movement workshops, and coaching, because it brings a profound level of understanding and faster healing to those who have become disconnected from their body (you might hear me say “disembodied”).
Somatic yoga and movement is a therapeutic approach that combines traditional yoga practices and postures with a focus on body awareness and the nervous system. It emphasises the connection between the mind and body, encouraging you to explore your physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts in a mindful way.
Sessions are designed based on the needs of the participants. Certain postures are associated with gentle nervous system activation, or down regulation. Bringing awareness to body sensation and mindful practice to breathing allows for a greater connection.
In somatic yoga, movement is typically slower and more intentional, allowing you to tune into your body and release tension or trauma held inside. You might never have stopped to wonder or focus upon a tight chest, shallow breathing, or troubling sensation in the body before. We just put these down to ailments, getting older, medicate them or ignore them altogether.
When doing somatic movement, I incorporate gentle breathwork, stretching, and mindful awareness to aid relaxation and self-discovery. By emphasising internal sensations, somatic yoga helps you cultivate a deeper understanding of your body. This in turn can lead to improved emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and enhanced overall wellbeing.
Ultimately, somatic yoga serves as a pathway for healing and self-connection, encouraging you to engage with your bodies in a compassionate and explorative way. We take notice of the body and its signals and messages, tap into its innate wisdom, and work with it instead of against it to bring about healing.
What benefits can you expect?
Somatic yoga and movement offers a unique blend of movement and awareness, focusing on the mind-body connection. This practice is rooted in the principles of somatics, which emphasises internal awareness and the sensations within the body.
Enhanced Body Awareness: Somatic movement and yoga encourages you to tune into your physical sensations, bringing a deeper understanding of your body. This heightened awareness can lead to improved posture, alignment, and movement patterns. By itself, this can have a profound impact on tight muscles, chronic pain, and breathing patterns.
Stress Relief: The mindful movements and slow pace of somatic yoga can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. As tension is released through gentle, conscious movement, mental clarity and emotional calmness often follow. It’s a great way to start your day, bringing a boost of energy, oxygen, and focus.
Improved Flexibility and Mobility: By focusing on the body's natural movements, somatic yoga can help increase flexibility and enhance mobility. This practice allows for gentle stretching and fluid movements that can alleviate stiffness and discomfort. I always encourage you to have agency over your own body. Move in a way that feels intuitive. Hold poses for long enough to feel a release but not so long that you get uncomfortable. And never push through pain.
Pain Management: You may find relief from chronic pain through somatic practices. The emphasis on gentle movement and awareness can help identify and release areas of tension, contributing to overall pain reduction. Using techniques like EFT enhance pain relief by using meridian lines to shift stuck energy.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Somatic yoga incorporates elements of mindfulness, promoting a meditative state during practice changes our brainwaves to ones that promote natural physical healing. This mindfulness can help cultivate a greater sense of presence and improve mental well-being. And when practiced in a group, we mirror and align our brainwaves which is creates a beautiful kind of connection.
Personal Empowerment: Engaging in somatic yoga brings a sense of agency over your body. As you learn to listen to your body, you become more aware of how you move in daily activities. This awareness can give you a different perspective on your body and how it supports you all day long. You take better care of it, which links into other parts of your life - better eating habits, more nourishing food, drinking more water, less alcohol, doing what makes your body feel happy without the guilt we experience when we’ve self-sabotaged.
Holistic Approach: Somatic yoga addresses not just the physical body but also emotional and psychological aspects. This comprehensive approach can support holistic health and personal growth.
Incorporating somatic yoga into your practice can yield a range of benefits, making it a valuable addition for those seeking to deepen their connection with themselves.
I teach somatic yoga and movement classes once a month at Threee Rooms in Buckden.
All the details including the class structure and how to book can be found on my Movement Workshops page.
