Somatics

Have you ever started learning about something that feels brand-new, only to realize halfway through that it’s not new at all? That’s been my experience with somatics—a term that’s getting a lot of attention lately but is, at its core, an ancient way of understanding and working with ourselves. The more I learn, the more I see how many philosophies, modalities, and even religious traditions have been pointing to the same ideas for centuries. It’s like humanity has been writing the same poem in different languages.

So… What Is Somatics?

At its most basic, somatics is about listening to the body as a guide for healing, connection, and growth. It’s rooted in the idea that the body and mind are deeply interconnected—something that science is now backing up with research on the nervous system and trauma. But here’s the kicker: this idea is not new. It’s not even close to new.

Ancient Wisdom, Re-packaged

Many Indigenous traditions have always understood the body as a source of wisdom. Practices like yoga, tai chi, and qi gong—which are thousands of years old—emphasize moving energy through the body to restore balance. Ayurvedic medicine incorporates similar principles through the understanding of chakras—energy centres in the body that govern physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This framework has been used for centuries to guide practices like meditation, breathwork, and diet to promote overall well-being.

Even in modern wellness trends, we see echoes of ancient wisdom. Cold plunges and hot shock therapy, for instance, draw on age-old practices used across cultures, from Nordic saunas to Japanese misogi (ritual purification with cold water). While today’s branding might call it “nervous system resetting,” the core practice has been around for generations.

Everyone’s Talking About the Same Stuff

What fascinates me is how many different therapeutic and spiritual practices are often describing the same concepts—just in slightly different ways. For instance:

• Jungian Shadow Work and Freudian Id: Both explore the hidden, unconscious aspects of ourselves—what we fear, reject, or deny—and seek to integrate them into our conscious understanding.
• Inner Child Work and Internal Family Systems (IFS): These modalities focus on reconnecting with parts of ourselves that hold specific emotions, memories, or roles. Whether you call it your “inner child” or a “part” in IFS, the goal is the same: to heal and integrate.
• Chakras and Somatics: The idea of blocked energy or imbalance in the body mirrors what somatic therapists talk about when addressing trauma “stuck” in the body.
• Yoga, Pilates, and Somatics: Movements like the spinal C-curve in Pilates or a rolling bridge pose in yoga are now being rebranded as somatic practices to help upregulate from a dorsal vagal state (that “shut down” mode in the nervous system). These movements encourage spinal flexibility and help reconnect us to sensation and energy flow, all of which are key to feeling more present and regulated. Whether it's called somatics or something else, the essence of using intentional movement to wake up the nervous system has been part of these practices for centuries.
• Breathwork Across Traditions: Practices like Pranayama in yoga, box breathing in modern therapy, and chanting in religious traditions all use intentional breathing to regulate the body and mind.
• Gospel Singing and Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Group singing in traditions like gospel choirs involves deep breathing, vocal vibrations, and emotional release, which naturally stimulate the vagus nerve, though they’d never describe it this way. It not only creates a sense of calm and regulation but also builds a collective emotional connection, echoing the principles of somatic practices focused on embodied presence and relational harmony.

The overlap is everywhere, and the more I explore, the more it feels like a giant Venn diagram. The circles may be labeled differently—“somatics,” “spirituality,” “psychology,” “philosophy”—but the shared space in the middle is massive.

You’re Probably Already Doing It

Here’s the comforting part: Somatic practices might sound trendy and intimidating, but chances are, you’re already doing them. Have you ever taken a deep breath when you’re stressed? That’s somatic. Hugged a loved one to feel calmer? Somatic. Stood in the sun and let the warmth soak into your skin? Yep—somatic. These are natural ways we regulate ourselves, passed down through generations without a fancy label.

The beauty of somatics is that it’s not about learning something completely new—it’s about noticing what you already do and building on it. It’s about getting curious and intentional. What would happen if you turned that deep breath into five deep breaths? If you hugged your loved one a little longer? If you stood in the sun with your feet firmly planted on the ground and noticed how it felt to be fully present?

We’re More Alike Than We Realize

At the end of the day, somatics isn’t just some trendy new thing. It’s a reminder that we’re all connected—across time, cultures, and even belief systems. Whether it’s called breathwork, mindfulness, prayer, or just taking a moment, the underlying principle is the same: we can heal and connect through our bodies, and we’ve known this for a long, long time.

So, if learning about “somatics” feels overwhelming, let me assure you—you’re already doing it. You’ve been doing it. Let’s build on that together.