There is a lot of discussion surrounding the buzzword "somatic movement," but what does it actually mean?
Somatic movement is a type of mind-body practice that emphasizes the internal experience of movement rather than focusing on specific outcomes. This approach encourages moving with full-body awareness and concentrating on feelings rather than striving for a particular fitness goal. It helps individuals connect their emotions with physical, mental, and energetic sensations. Engaging in somatic movement can assist people in connecting with their bodies, releasing emotions, and managing physical and psychological health. Common practices include breathwork, body scans, grounding exercises, and yoga. Regular participation in somatic movement can profoundly benefit both the body and mind.
Let’s explore specific types of somatic practices, starting with breathwork, body scanning, grounding exercises, and yoga.
**Breathwork** is a combination of grounding movement and meditation. It involves focusing on slow and controlled breaths while sitting or lying down. Through this practice, individuals can more easily identify areas of pain or tension within the body or mind. Even a few minutes of intentional breathwork daily can yield significant benefits, such as calming the central nervous system and fostering a more relaxed state.
**Body scans** are a form of meditation I practiced even before learning they were part of somatic exercises. In a body scan, the practitioner lies down and mentally scans their body from head to toe, maintaining breath awareness throughout the process. When teaching body scans, I typically start at the feet, guiding participants with instructions like, "Take an inhale into the feet, and on the exhale, let your feet relax." I then guide awareness from joint to joint or limb to limb, moving from the roots to the crown. The benefits of a body scan on the nervous system can be achieved in under 10 minutes, although longer sessions tend to enhance the experience.
**Grounding exercises**, such as walking in nature, are also effective forms of somatic movement. Go outside, preferably without your phone or at least with it silenced, and pay attention to your body’s movements, your wandering thoughts, and your feelings. Connecting with how you feel while engaging with the healing elements of nature can help you tap into the present moment, benefiting your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
**Yoga** is the mothership of somatic movement due to its emphasis on the mind-body connection. When teaching yoga classes, I intentionally design my sequences to encourage students to tune into their bodies. As they breathe, hold poses, or flow through movements, I provide opportunities for self-reflection on the sensations they experience. This awareness helps them notice any physical, mental, or energetic blockages. While I respect the traditional lineage of yoga postures, I also incorporate movements I have created, such as cathartic heart-opening experiences.
The benefits of somatic movement are plentiful and include alleviating chronic pain, increasing flexibility and mobility, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, elevating mood, promoting relaxation, assisting with trauma healing, and enhancing awareness of feelings and emotions. Somatic movement can also help relieve symptoms of conditions like Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and arthritis, and assist individuals in coping with loss and grief.
Practicing somatic movement requires intention, patience, and dedication. When practiced regularly, it can yield numerous positive effects on the body, mind, and energy. As the saying goes, "The issues are in the tissues." By releasing stored or pent-up energy and tension, both physically and mentally, we can recalibrate and find balance and harmony within ourselves.
With Love & Light,
Janine Forte
**Disclaimer**: The information above is intended to educate based on my knowledge and experience and is not a substitute for medical advice.
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