Let’s Talk Somatics

Even thought the Apostle Paul’s message to the Corinthians was based on ‘the body of Christ’ it could be an appropriated metaphor here, the key term being; ’if one part of the body suffers, all suffer together’. See the whole passage here – 1 Corinthians 12:14-26

This also reminds me of a powerful statement by Peter Scazzero, the subtitle of his ‘Emotionally Healthy Spirituality’ book states: “It’s impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.”

Today, we understand more than ever how deeply a dysregulated nervous system can affect our emotions, thought patterns, relationships, physical health, and overall sense of wellbeing. When we ignore what is happening within the body, it can hinder the healing, personal growth, and spiritual maturity needed to live a more grounded, balanced, and wholehearted life.

For the past seven years, I’ve practiced Hatha yoga regularly and have personally experienced the benefits of a stronger mind-body-spirit connection. With this type of yoga, you move your body slowly and deliberately into different poses that challenge your strength and flexibility, while at the same time focusing on relaxation and mindfulness (the practice of becoming more aware of our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and responses in the present moment).

As I continue working with clients healing from trauma, the somatic tools I’m now being certified to offer provide pathways toward reconnecting with their whole self; body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Yoga poses are only one of the many tools and techniques I’ll be offering as an Integrative Somatic Practitioner.

An Integrative Somatic Practitioner is trained in mind-body techniques that help clients increase nervous system regulation, body awareness, emotional processing, and stress release. Through guided exercises, breathwork, movement, and other supportive practices, clients learn how to reconnect with their body in ways that promote a greater sense of balance, grounding, and inner peace.

Many of us have heard the phrase and, or read the book The Body Keeps the Score. This reflects the growing understanding that our bodies can carry the effects of stress, trauma, and emotional experiences long after the events themselves have passed. Sometimes we may mentally understand our experiences, yet still feel tension, anxiety, overwhelm, numbness, or disconnection within the body.

Somatic approaches are based on the understanding that our experiences, emotions, stress, and patterns are not only held in the mind, but also within the body. Over time, these patterns can influence how we think, feel, respond/react, and relate to ourselves and others.