Why Somatics?
- Rosalind Tyburski
- Jun 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 7
First, let's talk about what exactly is "Somatics"
The root of the word somatics is 'soma,' meaning “of the body” or “the body as perceived from within.” We all have a body, which can be perceived by both ourselves and others. However, Soma can only be understood from within the body.
No one else can have somatic awareness of your body; only you.
The term was first coined by Thomas Hannah in 1976. His studies in neuroscience at the University of Florida Medical School revealed that every psychological process causes changes in our physical systems. Trauma, whether physical, mental, or emotional, affects both our minds and bodies. The Sympathetic Nervous System can trigger a fight/flight/freeze/fawn state, impacting physical body and muscle tension. Hannah discovered that the issues of the mind could be better addressed with a focus on the body.
Understanding Somatics
Somatics is the study of the body concerning physical sensations, perceptions, and experiences. It plays a significant role in various movement practices and therapeutic modalities. There are two primary goals of somatic work:
Physical: Retrain the body to relieve pain caused by trauma or habitual movements and muscle holding.
Mental/Emotional: Process trauma and break patterns of thought and behavior that obstruct life advancements by listening to the deep inner wisdom of the body.
The beauty of somatics lies in its interconnectedness. Focusing on the physical aspect often leads to noticeable shifts in behavioral and thought patterns. Conversely, when addressing mental and emotional concerns, movement becomes more fluid and effortless. Combining both approaches significantly enhances the potential for success.
Examples of Somatic Practices
*Movement: Yoga, Pilates, Dance, etc.
*Movement Therapies: Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, Rolfing Structural Integration
*Clinical Somatics: Movement education aimed at pain relief and muscle memory retraining
*Somatic Coaching & Therapy: Coaching techniques that connect to the body's inner wisdom, aiding clients in resolving trauma and moving forward
*Breathwork: Accessing the inner wisdom of the body through controlled and sustained breathing patterns.
Why do we incorporate Somatics into TAP?
Connecting Body and Mind for Holistic Healing
We possess the stories we tell ourselves, and our bodies tell stories, too. When these narratives align and connect, life flows more smoothly. Conversely, when they disconnect, both body and mind show signs of distress.
Our bodies relentlessly send sensory signals to our brains. Some are external—maintaining safety (sight, sound)—while others are internal, helping us achieve homeostasis (thirst, hunger, pain, sleepiness, temperature). You cannot halt this regulatory function. However, you can disengage from these signals, denying a dialogue between your body and brain. This leads to a disconnect between mind and body.
Consider a time in your life when you felt something profound, but a caregiver or trusted figure told you such feelings were wrong. They essentially instructed you to distrust the signals from your own body.
This disconnection, whether it stems from within or from external influences, can foster a lack of trust in our bodies. Consequently, we may come to feel that our bodies are untrustworthy or unsafe. The mind and body become misaligned, leading us to lose access to the wisdom our bodies hold.
The Nature of Disconnection
At certain moments, we can consciously choose to override our body's homeostatic messages, whether training for a marathon or dieting. This is not disconnection; rather, it is a skill akin to conversation. For example, we might say, “I’m experiencing pain, but I need to push through to complete this training.” Here, both the pain and discomfort are acknowledged while continuing the dialogue.
However, there are instances when disconnection is involuntary. During times of trauma or extreme stress, we might distance ourselves from bodily signals to avoid feeling discomfort. In these moments, the body might seem like an unsafe space, especially if circumstances feel out of control or if we’ve received messages that our body’s signals are invalid.
Neurologically, we may develop coping mechanisms (fight, flight, freeze, fawn), which can form lifelong patterns of behavior. The body stores the trauma or stress, either actively or passively. The original trauma and resultant behaviors are intertwined, and often, this relationship leads to a disconnect from our body’s messages.
Healing the Mind-Body Connection
When we focus solely on the mind—thinking and behavior patterns to instigate change—we might become aware of physical tension. Conversely, focusing on the body allows us to reconnect and release that tension, potentially unlocking embedded trauma. This, in turn, may lead to increased confidence and modifications in behavior patterns.
There are two essential keys to unlocking positive change: mind and body. Sometimes one key may not work as well as the other. However, when we utilize both, we maximize our chances of success. You can read more about my journey with somatic practices in my somatic success story here.
The activities in the 12 Steps of TAP focus extensively on the brain, the nervous system, and nervous system regulation. We leverage top-down methods to unlock outdated patterns. Additionally, we incorporate experiential practices to help clients embody new patterns.
The Soma-Breath sessions emphasize a bottom-up approach, fostering safety from within our bodies. These sessions aim to release old trauma by reconnecting our minds and bodies through movement, breathwork, and deep internal listening.
Both top-down and bottom-up approaches facilitate access to our inner wisdom and answers. By combining both methods, we create conditions conducive to lasting change.
Conclusion
Incorporating somatics into daily life can lead to profound transformations. Understanding how our bodies and minds interact opens the door to healing and personal growth. Start exploring somatic practices today and embrace the journey toward holistic well-being.
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