In the current society, we experience tension, and pressure in our physiological and psychological realms making us feel alienated from our bodies. It is at this point where somatic movement comes in to help out. An introduction to body oriented therapy and healing through the practice of somatic movement as an effective means of attentuning awareness and strengthening of the body. From chronic pain, stress, or from being lost and unsure of how to live in the present, somatic movement can be life changing in how one navigates their existence.
What is Somatic Movement?
Somatic movement is a technique of moving the body with purposeful, cautious and controlled gestures meant to develop attentiveness to visceral feelings and sensations. In contrast to other types of physical activities that target muscular endurance or flexibility for instance, somatic movement gives importance to how the individual handling the movements feels. Heal the mind and body, as well as the nervous system, to reduce tightness and increase coordination and relaxation.
This practice is based in somatic, which is derived from the Greek word soma, or, in context, the living body in its entirety. Somatic movement makes you focus on information that the body gives to the mind; in other words somatic movement improves the body’s awareness.
How Somatic Movement Benefits the Mind and Body
1. Relieves Chronic Pain and Tension
Musculoskeletal pain can be caused by long-term stressors within the body from repetitive movements or positions. Somatic movement allows targeting these areas of tightness and refocusing the muscle and nervous system in order to let go. Back pain, neck pain, or joint pain patients or anyone who feels discomfort can actually try this mindfulness technique.
You will be able to release muscular holding patterns that result from a breakdown in internal communication and develop more ease and less pain in movement.
2. Improves Body Awareness
Somatic movement helps to increase proprioception, this is the body awareness, which is an ability to detect where the parts of the body are in space. It also means a more alert patient who can perch on their own, possibly in improved positions, with less likelihood of falling. When you get in harmony with the sensation of your body, you will be in harmony with your body’s needs. It can assist in effectively reducing the likelihood of developing different complications and assist with improving execution of various exercises becoming sports or exercises for example, yoga asana, sports or simple activities like strolling and sitting. Body awareness can also change your perception of your body, make you more aware of how it works and even lead to appreciation of this aspect of it.
3. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
It is in this context that somatic movement can be said to have an advantage in affecting the nervous system. When you begin to practice mindfulness, you increase the awareness of the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system. This assists to maintain the reserve and to undo the detrimental consequences of one’s chronic stress, wakeup cortisol level and relax.
Some report benefitting from somatic movement practices as they make people feel peaceful, rooted and balanced. They pointed out that over a period of time this results in lowered anxiety and hence improved capacity to handle stress and pressures of daily living.
4. Promotes Emotional Healing
Emotions are felt and held in the body and when we move through our bodies, the emotional energy is released. Emotions not dealt with or insecurity which has not been processed will present itself as tension. Somatic practices are eventually turning to a body and allowing for a processor of these emotions in a nonviolent manner.
Sometimes, when working in various zones of the body, one may notice emotions associated with specific muscles or ways of muscle contraction. Frying these areas can help and heal the emotional wound and make one feel at ease.
5. Enhances Mindfulness
Somatic movement is founded on the idea of the indicated present. They forced you to give 100% attention to what your body is doing and how it feels when it is on each move. It also exercises not just the motor part of the body but also drives the mind into developing an attitude of attentiveness and relaxation.
Somatic movement is a form of moving meditation and, with the help of a skilled somatic movement specialist or teacher, it can be used as a way to increase present moment awareness throughout the day.
Simple Somatic Movement Exercises to Try
You don’t need any fancy equipment to get started with somatic movement. Here are a few simple exercises you can try:
- Body Scan: Take a comfortable position on a bed and close your eyes, then mentally scan your body from feet to the head. Scan the body for tension and discomfort, and lightly take a breath into these spaces.
- Pelvic Tilts: Sit on a chair, leaning slightly forward, then lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent. Move your pelvis gradually upwards and downwards while bringing your awareness to the curve of your spine and the flattening on the lower back.
- Arm Circles: If you are standing or sitting, it is also advisable to perform driving movements with your arms noting the movements of the shoulders and even the chest and the back. Find out whether some of the areas are sore, and if so, mirror the patterns and make your movement constrained and deliberate.
How to integrate Somatics into Your Lifestyle
Somatic movement thus can be easily integrated into any person’s daily schedule. It is recommended to incorporate 10-15 minutes of mindful movements before or after work to get into the mood for something quite productive or after work to release tension. In time, as the client becomes more attuned to what his body wants, the possibility is always there that he will automatically start moving better throughout the day.
The Mind-Body Connection is Within Your Reach
Somatic movement is not exercise; rather, it is a way of reawakening. When we listen to our bodies and allow the body to lead, we are changed on psychological and physical levels. Learning that causes of pain, stress and general imbalance can often be addressed through simple somatic movement means that there is a way towards creating harmony in the relationship of an individual’s mind and body.
So, why not give it a try? Experience somatic movement and become more vigorous and conscious of self today.