Somatics has become quite the buzzword these days. It’s used in all kinds of settings, yet many people don’t fully understand its meaning or origins.
In simple terms, Somatics refers to practices that integrate mindfulness, awareness, and mind-body connection. It’s an umbrella term that encompasses activities like tai chi, yoga, meditation, psychotherapy, dance, massage, and more. Any activity can become somatic when we bring awareness to the connection between the body and the mind—experiencing ourselves as a whole system.
Somatics is the foundation of your health and well-being.
How To Get Somatic
Cultivating an awareness of your body and how it communicates with your brain is key to engaging in somatic practice. Our bodies send us signals constantly, but we often overlook them. Learning to sense, feel, and truly listen to the messages our bodies send helps us take the right actions to support our health. Listening to your body is how you can understand its needs.
Where Did the Term Come From?
The term “Somatics” originated from Thomas Hanna, whose work focused on developing a person’s ability to self-regulate. As Michelle Bloom explains:
“Our bodies function as a whole system, so a regulated nervous system impacts our entire being. Settling the nervous system with Somatics, in the tradition of Thomas Hanna, means bringing our attention to unconscious patterns of tension. Using small, subtle, and intentional movements, we learn to sense and release those habits. In both somatic practices and executive functioning coaching, we explore patterns and habits that hinder us. We practice new ways of engaging with ourselves, finding the full potential of our bodies and minds.”
The word “Soma” is Greek for “body,” and it refers to the body as a unified whole—including the mind. By using the body with mindful intention, we can influence the mind, brain, and physiology. Through somatic movement, we can lower our heart rate, regulate breathing, and restore our health back to its optimal “factory settings.”