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Somatic Work: What it Is, Why It's so Effective, and Why I Integrate it into Reiki at Somatique in Boulder, CO

Writer's picture: SaraSara

Updated: Dec 11, 2024


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We live in a culture that tends to operate in and prioritize the mind. When challenges arise, the default solution is to think harder, plan better, or analyze more deeply. While these approaches have their place, they often fail to address a fundamental truth: many of our struggles—be they emotional, psychological, or even physical—are rooted in the body.

This is where somatic work comes in. Far from being another generic self-help tool, somatic work offers a way to access healing and transformation that is often more direct and faster-acting than cognitive approaches. It’s not about detaching from the mind, but about integrating the mind and body in a way that creates clarity, resilience, and profound change.

Why the Body Holds the Key

The body is a map of our lived experience, emotion, and memory. You may have heard the phrase, “The body keeps the score.” This isn’t just poetic; it’s grounded in neuroscience and somatic psychology.

When we experience stress, trauma, or prolonged emotional tension, the body reacts. Muscles tighten, breathing patterns change, and nervous system responses like fight, flight, or freeze take hold. These physical reactions can persist long after the original trigger has passed, creating patterns of tension or disconnection that influence how we feel and act.

Somatic work acknowledges that true healing isn’t just about understanding these patterns intellectually. It’s about giving the body a chance to process and release what it’s holding.

What is Embodiment (And Overembodiment)?

Embodiment is the experience of being present with its sensations, emotions, and movements in the here and now. It’s not just about being aware of your body but actively engaging with it as an integral part of your whole self.

However, it’s important to recognize that embodiment exists on a spectrum. While many of us experience disembodiment—feeling disconnected or out of touch with our physical selves—it’s also possible to experience overembodiment. This occurs when we become hyper-aware of the body in ways that lead to fixation or overwhelm, such as overanalyzing every sensation or becoming stuck in physical discomfort, such as during a panic attack. It's possible to swing between extremes of detaching from the body and feeling overwhelmingly present in it.

The goal of somatic work is to find a balance—a grounded, compassionate relationship with your body that allows you to access its wisdom without becoming consumed by it. In my practice, I help clients navigate this balance, creating space for both release and integration, so you can feel aligned and whole without overburdening yourself with awareness.

What Makes Somatic Work So Effective?

Somatic work is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s dynamic, adaptive, and deeply personal. Here’s why it’s so transformative:

1. It Helps You Understand Your Internal Language Somatic practices teach you to tune into sensations and signals that often go unnoticed—like the tightness in your chest when you’re anxious or the warmth in your belly when you feel safe. These sensations are the body’s language, and learning to “speak” it allows you to respond to your needs with greater precision.

2. It Moves Beyond the Rational Mind Sometimes, healing isn’t logical. You may intellectually understand why something happened or why you feel a certain way, but that doesn’t mean you’re free from its effects. Somatic work extends past the limitations of the thinking mind, creating a space for your body to process what words alone cannot.

3. It Creates Safety At its core, somatic work is about creating a sense of safety—both in the body and in your environment. This is especially powerful for those who have experienced trauma or chronic stress. When the body feels safe, it can shift out of survival mode and into a state of healing and restoration.

How Somatic Work Shows Up in My Practice

At Somatique, I weave somatic principles into every Reiki session, creating an experience that’s as unique as the individual receiving it. Somatic work isn’t just an add-on—it’s an integral part of how I approach healing.

Preparing the Body for Healing Before we even begin energy work, I guide clients through somatic exercises suited to their current state and long-term goals. This might include tapping, gentle movement, exploring textures, or simply tuning into the rhythm of your breath. These practices help release tension and create an open, receptive state.

Engaging the Senses The body loves to feel. Whether it’s the texture of soft fabric, the sound of a singing bowl, or the gentle weight of hands in a Reiki session, engaging the senses grounds you in the present moment and amplifies the healing process.

Encouraging Emotional Release Emotions often manifest in the body as sensations—tightness, heaviness, or even a sense of buzzing energy. Somatic work provides a safe container for these emotions to surface and be released.

Integrating the ExperienceAfter a session, I always encourage reflection. This might be through journaling, gentle stretching, or even a simple moment of stillness. Integration is where the real magic happens—it’s when the body and mind begin to align in new ways.

An Invitation to Somatic Reiki Healing at Somatique in Boulder, CO

Somatic work is about getting curious about our inner worlds and reconnecting with the wholeness that’s already within you. It’s an act of listening, of trust, and of allowing.

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If you’re curious about how somatic work can support your healing journey, I’d love to explore it with you. At Somatique in Boulder, Colorado, I combine Reiki, somatics, breathwork, and sound healing to create a space where you can release what’s no longer serving you and step into alignment with yourself.

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