Your Body Holds the Key: Let's Talk Somatic Therapy
IN TODAY’S WORLD, We're constantly bombarded with stress, and it's easy to get stuck in our heads, ignoring what's happening in our bodies. We might push down emotions, ignore aches and pains, and just generally feel disconnected. But guess what? Your body is a powerhouse of wisdom, and somatic therapy can help you tap into it for healing and a better sense of well-being.
What's is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-focused way of healing. It's based on the idea that our minds, bodies, and spirits are all connected. "Soma" just means the living body, the one you feel from the inside. Unlike regular talk therapy, which mostly deals with thoughts and feelings, somatic therapy brings your body into the conversation. It recognizes that tough stuff like trauma, stress, and bottled-up emotions can get stuck in your body, showing up as physical problems, trouble managing emotions, and even negative beliefs about yourself.
Somatic therapy uses different techniques to help you become more aware of what's going on in your body and release those stuck energies. Think of it like gently nudging a knot out of a muscle. Some of these techniques include:
Checking in with your body: Paying attention to your breath, how you're sitting, and any tension you might be holding.
Exploring movement: Using gentle movements to release tension patterns. It's not about exercise, it's about feeling.
Working with your breath: Using breathing techniques to calm your nervous system and get in touch with your emotions.
Using your imagination: Working with mental images to access and process feelings.
Taking it slow: Approaching difficult emotions and sensations gradually, so you don't get overwhelmed.
Gentle touch (when appropriate and with your okay): Sometimes, light, non-invasive touch can help you become more aware of your body and release tension. But it's always your choice.
When Could Somatic Therapy Be a Good Fit?
Somatic therapy can be helpful for a lot of different things, including:
Trauma: If you've experienced trauma, somatic experiencing (a type of somatic therapy) can be really effective.
Stress and anxiety: Somatic techniques can help calm your nerves and make you feel less overwhelmed.
Feeling down: By reconnecting with your body, you might find you have more energy, motivation, and emotional connection.
Chronic pain: Sometimes, chronic pain is linked to tension patterns in the body, which somatic therapy can address.
Relationship struggles: Being more aware of your body can help you communicate better and have healthier relationships.
Addiction: Somatic work can be part of recovery by helping you deal with the emotional and physical ups and downs that come with addiction.
Body image issues: Somatic therapy can help you build self-compassion and accept your body as it is.
Just feeling "blah": If you feel disconnected from yourself or numb, somatic therapy can help you feel more present and grounded.
Ready to start feeling better?
Somatic therapy offers a unique way to heal and get to know yourself better. By tuning into your body, you can unlock its wisdom and start feeling more whole and well. If any of this resonates with you, it might be worth exploring somatic therapy. It could be the key to feeling more connected, grounded, and at home in your own skin.
Kindred Roots' current Intern Therapist, Jed Stein, specializes in Somatic Therapy and would love to help you heal yourself through your body. Until April, Jed offers sessions at $50 per hour or free for self-identifying Indigenous people.
book with jed or any other member of the kindred roots team.