Somatic Therapy, A New Wave of Healing?

In today’s world, many people are looking to become the conductor of their own healing and turning to somatic practices to support that path and live a more authentic life. In the world of holistic and alternative modes of healing, numerous modalities and approaches have been developed to begin to bridge the gap of understanding between the dimensions of mind, body, and spirit. Somatic Therapy is one such modality.

While somatic practices have foundational similarities to the ancient practices of Yoga, Thai Chi, and Qigong, present-day Somatics refer to systems developed in the last couple of centuries. The field of Somatics has a wide reach of influence, including scientists, physicists, doctors, philosophers, psychologists, athletes, and performing artists. In many cases their exploration of the work grew out of a personal need for healing that otherwise couldn’t sufficiently be addressed by conventional methods.

In the 70’s, Thomas Hanna, a trailblazer in the field, coined the use of the term “Somatics” and attempted to create a common vision for the work. He expressed the work as;

Hanna and many other early practitioners; Feldenkrais, Alexander, Gendlin, Rubenfeld, Trager, and Rolf, were way ahead of their time in bringing to light the mind-body connection that is now being backed up by science.

While this can be the subject of many more blogs, the overarching idea is that these approaches tap into the inherent nature of our brain’s capacity for neuroplasticity. Learning to sense our experiences from the inside empowers us to stimulate a level of consciousness about our body’s automatic processes, which influences healing.

There are several reasons to consider introducing Somatic Therapy into your own personal self-healing journey;

• Develop your inner sensing to discover what is needed for your own healing

• Understand your own safety system and how to self-regulate

• Transcend how past traumas may limit your present-day well-being

• Identify and express long held emotions and limiting beliefs

• Expand your awareness to move from habit, to choice, to change

• Experience more ease and freedom in your body and life

• Gain relief from tension, pressure and stress

• Open space for more peace and joy

• Reconnect to the wholeness of your body, mind and soul

Research continues to inform the field of Somatics;

• Stephen Porges’ Polyvagel Theory explains much about how our autonomic states influence and are influenced by the dynamic challenges in our lives. Learn more here.

• Dr. Candace Pert’s findings indicate a new scientific understanding of the power of our minds and our feelings to directly and profoundly affect our health and well-being. Learn more here.