Somatic yoga has a lot of people talking lately, and essentially, it’s simply another way to describe a facet of yoga that’s always been there.  In Sanskrit, we say yoga cultivates Svadyaya, or a deep inner knowing of the self.  When you look at yoga through a somatic lens, you’re connecting with your own inner knowing and cultivating a more profound relationship with your body.

Think of it like this: Your body has a deep well of wisdom within, and you are always receiving information from you body.   Somatic yoga helps you recognize and respond to those messages, so you can understand what your body needs in each moment.

Here’s how practicing somatic can be help you move towards health, wellness, energy, & happiness:

  • Find & Release Hidden Tension: We all hold stress in our bodies, like a tight knot in your shoulders or a clenched jaw. Somatic yoga helps you notice these areas and gently release the tension. It’s like giving your body a big sigh of relief!

  • Breathe Easy, Live Easy: Just like taking a deep breath can calm you down, somatic yoga helps you tune in with breath patterns in your body, and encourages you to connect with a more optimal breath. This helps your body relax even more and gives you tools to manage stress in everyday life.

  • Befriend Your Body: Somatic yoga teaches you to be more aware of your body’s sensations, big or small. Do your feet feel tingly in a pose? Does your lower back ache? Learning this body language can help you understand your limits and avoid injuries.

Connect with Your Inner Wisdom

You can use the tools you learn in Somatic yoga to get even more out of complementary practices:

  • Meditation: Practiced somatically, meditation helps you notice the chatter of your mind and shift your focus to the present moment. This helps you identify cyclical patterns of thoughts that and consciously move beyond them, and connect instead with your deepest inner wisdom.

  • Reiki: Somatic yoga can help you tune in with the flow of energy in your body, and to begin to notice when that energy feels depleted, or blocked. Reiki offers a tool to gently replenish your inner energy and release stagnant energy causing blocks, discomfort, or disease.   

Who can Benefit from Somatic Yoga?

Anyone! Here are some specific examples:

  • Feeling Stressed? Somatic yoga combined with optimal breathing can help you unwind and find calmness.

  • Chronic Pain?  By releasing tension and promoting relaxation, somatic yoga can help manage chronic pain.

  • Ever Feel Anxious or Depressed? The focus on your body, along with steady breath and inner focus can help ease anxiety and improve your mood.

The Bottom Line

Somatic yoga is about listening to your body and giving it the tools it needs to feel its best. It’s a gentle, accessible practice that can empower you to take charge of your well-being, both physically and emotionally. So ditch the FOMO (fear of missing out) and give somatic yoga a try!

 

Libby Creagh
Libby Creagh