We have theorist, Thomas Hanna, to thank for formally coining the term “Somatics” in 1976, however the practice, and traditions of what is now called movement studies and bodywork have existed inside of what author and educator, Resmaa Menakem calls, bodies of culture informally, and broadly. For millennia-- be it religious practice, or cultural norms to survive and be in contextual relationship with all of the energetic forces that shape and land on the soma-- the body has a distinction from the soul, mind, and psyche. Bodies of cultures have cultivated knowledge of and traditions around physical sensations, perceptions, and experiences of the soma. Further, somatics in formal study advances bo
th the cultivation of knowledge and expands practices that transmute energetic charges and sensations that cause body system disregulation (nervous system, emotions, muscular system, respiratory system, etc.) .
But how does somatics practice a tool and resource?
It is easy to discuss and analyze oppressive systems (racism, patriarchy, colonialism, ablism, etc.) in terms of material and representative outcomes, and forget about the body. In fact, ideas play a significant role in how we live in our bodies and in relation to other bodies. They shape our inner narratives, our standards, and judgments, and even our values. These subjective (internal, personalized) ideas can limit or expand our relationship to and ability to access the sensations and perceptions of our bodies . A culture of dominance and oppression attempting to deny our humanity, and reduce our body as only useful for production-- which furthers norms the negation of inherent worth, humanity, and dignity. Somatics is a way to center and rehumanize our bodies, emotions, internal ways of knowing with dignity.
Somatic practices include moving, humming, rocking, deep breathing, feeling for safety, identifying temperature, holding/ squeezing, tapping, and releasing. Building a practice means incorporating these tools into routines or around choices to increase capacity, resolve, and comfort, or to deescalate, and clarify.
I incorporate somatics into my individual and team coaching to help identify and address patterns that no longer serve. In my equity work, somatics serves as a tool for analysis and a navigation resource for moving through discomfort and making space for challenging discussions.
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