Somatics is a term that I’ve heard in passing, but I was never quite sure what it meant. The term has been popping up a lot more on my feed lately, so I decided to do some digging to learn more about it and was shocked to find out that i’ve been doing somatic exercises for years!
What are Somatics?
Somatics is body-mind integration. A somatic exercise is intentional movement coupled with a focus on how your body feels internally. This insightful practice calls for you to turn your attention inwards, expanding your overall self awareness, and may reveal signs of pain or discomfort in your body. According to Healthline, somatic practices increase body awareness using movement and relaxation.
In my experience, as my body awareness improves, so does my body language and overall personal presence. And there’s nothing better than a strong personal presence.
Somatic Yoga vs Traditional Yoga
You might be thinking what I was thinking – yoga and somatics sound like the same thing! Both practices involve movement, mindfulness, and have the power to heal.
But despite their similarities, I found that the difference between the two practices is that somatic yoga is a little bit more playful and slightly more gentle.
Who knew yoga could be MORE gentle?
A somatic-centered yoga practice, like traditional yoga, is less about how your body looks, and more about how your body feels. But according to The Yoga Journal, it’s intuitive flow is what sets it apart. Somatic yoga is deeply intimate and calls for more self-exploration, and less structure.
It sounds like the perfect grounding practice to do on hectic days.
I’ve really been enjoying this yoga mat by Cork Collective, btw! Their luxury cork yoga mats are 100% vegan, ethically sourced, and have superior grip. I LOVE how the cork feels while practicing.
Mindfulness and Somatic Exercises
Yoga is one of many somatic exercises that require mindfulness. Other exercises include body scan meditations, dance and pilates.
According to Jon Kabat Zinn, often referred to as the Godfather of Modern Mindfulness in the West, mindfulness is the awareness that emerges when paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgement. He says that the awareness that mindfulness brings is a form of untapped intelligence, and I agree. To be mindful is to be completely present, and now-a-days, that is unfortunately less likely due to today’s distractions. In many ways, mindfulness is a superpower that anyone can strengthen with consistent practice.
Somatic yoga is the perfect blend of intentionality, mindfulness, and relaxation, and as a fellow yogi, I will definitely be adding it into my routine!
Will you be giving somatic yoga a try?
