What is Somatics?

Somatics comes from the Greek word, “soma” which roughly translates into the body in its wholeness.

In somatic coaching or somatic-based work we hold that within the soma are sensations, emotions, and narratives all of which give rise to our overall sense of SELF and how we show up in the world. Also held within the soma are the survival strategies, adaptive behavioral and cognitive patterns that we have embodied throughout our lifetime of experience that have helped us to survive and navigate life. Some may also include that our somas hold patterns that we inherit from beyond this lifetime or ancestral patterns. From this sense of SELF we shape our lives, take some actions but not others, create a livelihood, and relate to others.

At different points throughout a lifetime, we may see that our current sense of Self and certain thought, emotional or behavioral patterns do not allow us to live into our current vision. This is a time that is calling for transformation. This is a time when we need to develop or deepen the embodied competencies that enable us to take new actions or generate a new outlook or narrative about ourself. Some of the embodied skills we may need to develop to meet the challenges of our current vision are to have access to a wider emotional range, the ability to both hold complexity and the unknown and also take action. We may need to learn to have a more grounded presence, greater embodied confidence and compassion to enable us to coordinate effectively with others, build intimacy, connection and effective collaboration. All of these skills take place in the domain of the body. Having the idea about how you want or need to be is not enough. The idea has to translate into action and the SELF that you are being along the way.

What is embodiment?

Embodiment is any behavior we do without conscious thought, meaning it occurs automatically, even when we are under pressure. We will embody anything we practice/ do repeatedly. This includes our moods or state of being, thought and emotional patterns, and behaviors.

In this work we ask the question, “is what we are currently practicing in alignment with what we care about”?

Why does somatics work so well in supporting lasting change?

Somatics holds that these long-held patterns or what we embody live not just in the brain but also in muscle memory and in our tissues.  

We can have insight but until we can unwind these long-held patterns that get in our way on the level of muscle memory and translate this new embodied understanding into a new practice, under pressure we are likely to revert back to the old pattern that we have practiced more and therefore embody more.

Somatic coaching integrates body-based awareness practices and hands-on bodywork to facilitate the transformational process.