HEALTH

Can somatic exercise take your mind-body connection next level?

18 December, 2023 . 0

There’s a lot of buzz about somatic exercise as a remedy for tension and trauma. So, what is it and how does it work?

Most traditional therapies ask us to talk about our feelings.

But somatic movement enthusiasts say getting out of our heads and into our bodies is the answer to inner peace.

Here’s what you need to know about somatic exercise.

What does somatic mean?

First coined by pioneer Thomas Hanna in the 1970s, the term “somatic” comes from the Greek word “soma”, which means “living body”.

It’s used to describe a wide range of holistic practices that share a common goal: elevating the mind-body connection.

“It is quite a broad term so many body-based practices for wellness can be thought of as somatics, such as yoga, pilates, different forms of bodywork and even martial arts,” Thrive Clinic somatic therapist Jennifer Lalor says.

What is somatic therapy?

Jennifer says while talk therapy focuses on the mind, somatic therapy accesses deeper awareness through the connection between our thoughts, emotions, sensations, posture, gestures and movement.

“Somatic treatment helps to identify where we have literally and figuratively shaped or adapted ourselves to the difficult circumstances of life since as far back as childhood,” she says.

“It can help us release old patterns of thought, emotion and embodied behaviours that have become ‘stuck’ in the body due to trauma, chronic stress or unprocessed negative emotions, and (help us) practice new ways of being that feel more empowering and whole.”

Jennifer says somatic therapy can be helpful in treating a number of mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and prolonged grief.

So, what is somatic exercise?

Somatic exercise uses slow and deliberate movement, touch, breath and mindfulness to heighten body awareness, Movementality somatic movement therapist Ash Berry says.

“The body holds the wisdom of every experience a person has lived through – and it doesn’t lie,” Ash says.

“Somatic exercise helps address what’s happening below the surface because body and mind are inextricably linked.”

Ash says it’s almost like a moving meditation.

“In many ways, it’s less about doing a specific exercise and more about the journey,” she says.

Health benefits of somatic exercise

Ash says somatic exercise offers a wide range of benefits for both the mind and body, and can be helpful for people who experience anything from fibromyalgia and sleep issues to depression and anxiety.

“Somatic exercise is particularly effective for dealing with trauma – anything from childhood wounds through to severe psychological distress,” she adds.

“It’s also really good for building self-efficacy, regulating the nervous system and developing healthy interpersonal relationships.”

Research suggests somatic exercise may also be effective in alleviating chronic pain.

“What pain science tells us is that pain is a signalling system from our brain telling us when it feels we are in danger or something isn’t right,” Ash explains.

“In my practice, most people come in because of chronic tension and pain as a starting point.”

Ready to explore somatic exercise?

Ash says for anyone wanting to try somatic exercise, Thomas Hanna’s easy stretches are a great entry point.

The series of eight exercises are best performed daily – ideally first thing in the morning – and they only take 5-15 minutes.

“There are many different kinds of somatic exercises, and these are just the tip of the iceberg,” Ash says.

“But because they are really simple and effective at relieving tension and helping people to connect to their bodies, they are an excellent way to get started.”

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Written by Dimity Barber.