Somatic skills help us to feel embodied. Connected both to ourselves (our feelings, thoughts, boundaries and longings)and to the world around us. Embodiment is the felt sense of being in our bodies, fully inhabiting our own skin. In this state, feelings, thoughts, actions, and beliefs feel organized and aligned. There is a non-judgemental presence that can hold different feelings as a part of the whole. For example, I can be embodied and notice an anxiety within me, but I am present enough to not become the anxiety.
Disembodiment or dissociation would be the opposite of embodiment. It lacks presence and can feel disorganized or fragmented. In this state it might be hard to feel the aliveness of the body and instead feel flat, empty, or heavy. One could also be disembodied and feel flooded with uncomfortable sensations, and an overwhelming sense of too much(ex. Becoming anxiety, depression, rage, etc) Disembodiment is a normal reaction to trauma and everyone experiences at least some level of disembodiment some of the time.
Somatic skills can be learned and practiced. Below are some of the somatic skills we will be exploring in the upcoming 6 week course beginning in October
Somatic Skills
Grounding – involves sensing our body and feet. The felt sense of being supported and stable. It often increases presence, embodiment and calm.
Centering – an embodied sense of self, helps us to arrive in presence. Includes a felt sense of one or more of the 8 C’s (Internal Family Systems) connected, compassion, clarity, confidence, curiosity, creativity, courage, calm
Containment (Boundaries) – separate from and part of the whole (interdependence). Feeling our body from the inside out. Being able to feel into authentic yes, no, maybe. What we want to allow in, what we want to keep out
Presence/Awareness – Awareness to the inner and outer experience from a non-judgemental place
Resourcing – experiences that help us to strengthen our sense of stability and safety in the world and internally, so that we can tune into sensations of calm and goodness. Resources can include people, things, places, internal strengths, external supports.
Breath – breath is the quickest way to change our internal state. Depending on the type of breath we practice we can down-regulate or up-regulate, helping to bring balance.
Movement- helps us to release emotions and tension. Movement helps to build confidence and trust in our body
We will be practicing these skills and more in "Embodiment Practice" a six week online course beginning on October 10. Each class will include movement, meditation, a skill, and a short talk using the yogic chakra system as a framework or map.
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