Let’s talk about the body—not just as a vessel, but as the sacred bridge between the earthly and the divine, the animal and the infinite. In the day to day of modern life, many of us are tethered to survival mode: stuck in our heads, stuck on our phones or in the past, scrolling through life, disconnected from the primal wisdom that lives deep in our bones. But here’s the truth: your body isn’t just something you “have.” It’s something you are. And somatic practice is the key to unlocking this truth.
Somatic practices—those that engage your body and voice as a gateway to healing—are deeply transformative for the nervous system. Whether it’s the slow stretch of yoga, the gut release of a deep sigh, chanting intuitively, stomping your feet, screaming, or simply swaying your body to music, these practices don’t just support physical wellness. They tap into the nervous system’s mystic and innate healing abilities, regulating the symphony of responses that keeps you alive and thriving. They allow stuck energy and trauma to be released from the body. All we must do is provide the safe space to allow ourselves to listen to our bodies and move, cry, shout, dance, chant as we feel called to do so.
Why the Nervous System is the Gatekeeper of Your Wellbeing
At its core, the nervous system is primal. It’s not just the fight-or-flight responder—it’s also the foundation of your rest, repair, and connection. Think of it as the wise animal within you. When balanced, it lets you face life’s storms with resilience. When dysregulated, it leaves you feeling stuck in cycles of anxiety, fatigue, or numbness.
Somatic practices soothe this wild system by bringing you back into presence, back to homeostasis. They help your body feel safe, which is essential for deep healing. This isn’t just science—it’s soul work.
The Dance Between Creature and Spirit
Somatic practices remind us of our dual nature. We are creatures, instinctual and physical. But we are also spirit—intuitive, mystical, connected to something greater than ourselves. When we move, breathe, and embody awareness, we align with all aspects of our being.
For example:
When you stretch your arms wide to the sky, it’s not just exercise—it’s a prayer of expansion.
When you curl inward in a fetal pose, it’s not just relaxation—it’s a return to the womb, a surrender to your origins.
These movements transcend the mundane. They awaken the primal rhythms within you while connecting you to the cosmic pulse of existence.
Accessible Somatic Practices to Try
Shaking it Out Animals in the wild shake off stress instinctively after danger. You can, too! Stand up, shake your arms, legs, and hips—no rules. Just let your body release and try not to judge yourself.
Body Scanning Close your eyes. Bring awareness to each part of your body, from your toes to your scalp. What sensations arise? This practice is about listening, not judging.
Breathwork Try deep belly breaths or rhythmic sighing. Breathing isn’t just for oxygen; it’s a way to reset your entire system.
Grounding Rituals Walk barefoot on the earth. Feel the ground under your feet. Remember—you are a part of this earth, not separate from it.
Free Movement (one of my favorites!) Put on music that speaks to your soul and allow your body to move however it wants. Dance, sway, stomp—move as your creature-self longs to. I like to play drumming music and chant, dance, and stomp, imagining I am around the fire with my ancestors.
Returning to Wholeness
To be human is to hold paradox, to be human is multidimensional: to be both wild and wise, beast and breath, tangible and transcendent. Somatic practices are how we honor this wholeness. They root us in the present while inviting us to expand beyond it.
When you embrace somatic work, you’re not just healing. You’re reclaiming your rightful place in the mandala dance of life. You’re remembering that to be alive isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence and wholeness.
So, my dear wild and sacred being, how will you move today? How will you let your body remind you of who you truly are?
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