What Is Somatic Movement?

We go about our days without giving much thought to our body's movements. We function on a level of autopilot, completing tasks and responsibilities at a busy pace with minimal self-awareness of the body's effort. Somatic movement, however, is the antithesis of our hurried lifestyle. It's a slowed-down practice that pulls us back into a focus on our body's motions in that exact moment and brings a mental awareness to how a movement feels. In the simplest of terms, it's applying mindfulness to physical activity. "Somatics" means "of the body" and is derived from the Greek "soma." As applied to the physical experience, the term was coined by Thomas Hanna, a philosophy professor and author of "Bodies in Revolt: A Primer in Somatic Thinking," which was first published in 1970. It holds at its core the premise that the body speaks to the mind and vice versa. Most types of exercise are centered around a clear goal: to run at a specific pace, to increase strength by lifting weights or to burn X number of calories. Somatic movement differs in that it has no goal other than the experience in and of itself; its focus is on the internal rather than the external. Some examples of somatic movement with ancient roots are yoga, tai chi, qigong and meditation. Additionally, aikido, Pilates and dance are somatic movement practices, although most any type of movement can become somatic if the focus is on the body. For example, when biking: Think about how the legs feel as they move and focus on the pressure that the feet feel against the pedals and the leg muscles contracting as they push the pedals up and down. Pay attention to your breathing as the lungs pull air in and push it out. Experts say that there are multiple benefits to engaging in somatic movement or exercise. These types of movement can improve flexibility and range of motion, as well as balance and posture. They can also provide relief from chronic pain and aid in relaxation. Plus, many report decreased anxiety and boosted mood after periods of somatic movement. Recently, somatic movement has been utilized as an approach to manage pain associated with cancer treatment. A recent study found that somatic yoga intervention effectively reduced pain and lessened fall risks associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy syndrome (CIPN) in cancer survivors, and that it improved the quality of life for the study's participants. Taking it one step further, somatic therapy is the exploration of how the body expresses painful experiences and the application of mind-body healing techniques toward trauma recovery. Somatic therapies aid in the body's release of emotions from traumatic events. Although somatic therapy is relatively new and little scientific research exists on its efficacy, it is gaining traction amongst mental health practitioners. Locating a trained somatic therapist can be a challenge, however, and most experts agree that somatic therapy should not replace cognitive behavioral therapy or other doctor-recommended therapies. But for the somatic movement beginner, there are very few obstacles to implementing a daily practice. Somatic movement is appropriate for any age or fitness level, and it can be applied to even the smallest daily stretches or breathing exercises. It also requires no specialized equipment or location, making it completely free of cost. To get started, try searching "somatic exercise for beginners" on YouTube.com. With little to no risk, there is much to be gained through incorporating a practice of somatic movement into one's lifestyle. In these times of increased demand on our time, mind and body, an avenue for stress reduction and a resetting of the mind-body connection can be a welcome addition to one's health routine.