top of page

Why Most People Lack Somatic Awareness—And How It Could Change Your Life

Writer's picture: SaraSara

boulder-colorado-reiki-energy-healing-somatic-meditation-breathwork-massage-therapy-yoga-wellness-denver

In a world that prioritizes productivity, mental work, and external achievement (it's you, be honest), it’s easy to lose touch with one of our most profound tools for self-discovery and healing: somatic awareness.


Somatic awareness is the ability to tune into the sensations and signals of your body. It’s about listening to what your body is saying—not just in moments of physical pain or discomfort but as an ongoing, overarching dialogue about your emotions, boundaries, and needs. At Somatique in Boulder, CO, somatic practice is purposefully incorporated into Reiki sessions. Somatic techniques are chosen based on how you arrive at your session, what unfolds from there, and what your goals are. You walk away from the experience not just having received beautiful care, but with tools to continue to implement going forward. Empowering you with these techniques is part of the ethos of Somatique.

What is Somatic Awareness?

The word “somatic” comes from the Greek word soma, meaning “body.” At its core, somatic awareness is about cultivating a mindful connection to your physical self.


It’s not just noticing tension in your shoulders or the ache in your lower back (though that’s part of it). It’s about becoming curious about what those sensations mean and what broader patterns they are part of. Are they tied to stress, emotions you haven’t processed, or a boundary you need to set (perhaps with yourself)?


For most of us, this connection has been disrupted. We’ve been trained to rely on the mind to solve problems, ignoring the body’s natural ability to guide us. It comes to a point where we may not want to tune in the body, because we are wary of what we will find - stiffness, pain, and layers of emotion beneath it all. Somatic awareness invites us to reverse that disconnection and restore the balance between mind and body.


Why Somatic Awareness Matters

Think of somatic awareness as a language. Your body is constantly communicating with you, but without the ability to “speak” this language, you might miss the message.


Here’s why it’s so transformative:


Emotional Processing: Your body holds emotions that your mind hasn’t fully processed. Somatic awareness helps release these emotions, preventing them from becoming stuck or stored as tension.

Intuition: Sometimes your body knows something before your mind catches up. By tuning in, you can make decisions that align with your deeper needs.

Stress Reduction: Somatic practices engage your parasympathetic nervous system, bringing your body into a state of rest and recovery.

Healing Trauma: Trauma often lives in the body. Somatic awareness provides a pathway for safely exploring and releasing those imprints.

You don't necessarily need to know what underpins a given sensation. Somatic work allows us to process it without always connecting it to a specific "why." This can be liberating and speed up the path of letting go.

What Happens When We Ignore the Body?

When we’re disconnected from our bodies, we may feel stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed without knowing why. This lack of awareness can keep us trapped in stress cycles, repeating the same patterns without resolution.


For example, overworking might seem like the solution to your stress, but if you were to tune into your body, you might find that what you actually need is rest, boundaries, or self-compassion. Without somatic awareness, we risk solving the wrong problems - or trying to solve the problem from the same level it came from - over and over.


Why Most People Don’t Know About It

Our culture celebrates mental achievement, often at the expense of body awareness. Body awareness is relegated to the realm of sports or dance (where there can still be a strong lack of interoception - perceiving the inner cues and not just macro movements). Many of us grew up in environments that valued thinking over feeling, teaching us to suppress physical sensations and emotional signals in favor of logic and action.


But the tide is turning. As more people seek holistic approaches to well-being, somatic awareness is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for healing and growth.


How I Integrate Somatic Practices into Reiki at Somatique in Boulder, CO


At Somatique in Boulder, CO, I use somatic awareness to help clients deepen their connection to themselves during Reiki sessions. Before we begin, I guide you gentle somatic techniques specific to how you arrive at your session and what your goals are. Examples include:


Tapping

Body scanning to notice where you feel tension or ease.

Self massage

Light stretching Use of textures and specific releases - pulling, pushing, twisting an object.

By starting the session in this way, we create a foundation of awareness that allows the Reiki energy to flow more effectively. Reiki isn’t just a passive practice—it’s an opportunity to engage with the layers of your being, from the physical to the emotional and energetic.

What would your body say, if you listened?


Somatic awareness is a skill anyone can develop, and Reiki at Somatique in Boulder, CO offers a safe, supportive space to explore it.


boulder-colorado-reiki-energy-healing-somatic-meditation-breathwork-massage-therapy-yoga-wellness-denver


Let’s create the space for you to heal, grow, and align with your whole self.


0 views
bottom of page