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For the information-hungry, here is a list of some key terms and somatic skills, and some FAQs about Somatic Healing and Reiki.
Key Terminology:
Attuning/Attunement: Being in tune with oneself and/or another, deeply aware of sensations and felt experiences.
Body-Mind: A concept that refers to the interconnectedness of the body and mind, emphasizing that they influence each other in complex ways.
Embodiment: The process of being fully present in the body, deeply connected to one's physical self and internal experiences.
Felt Sense: An internal, bodily awareness of a situation, person, or event that can provide insight and guidance for healing and decision-making.
Glimmers: Positive moments or stimuli that create feelings of safety, joy, and connection, serving as opportunities for healing and expansion.
Inner Relationship Focusing: A method that involves listening to the inner felt sense to foster a compassionate relationship with oneself and promote healing.
Integration: The process of bringing together different parts of oneself, especially after a traumatic experience, to create a sense of wholeness.
Interoceptive Sense: The sense of the internal state of the body, such as hunger, thirst, heart rate, and bodily tension.
Nervous System Regulation: Techniques and practices that help balance and calm the nervous system to promote a sense of safety and well-being.
Soma: A term derived from Greek, meaning "body"; in somatic practices, it refers to the body as a whole living system that holds experiences and emotions.
Somatic Awareness: The perceptual ability to focus inwardly using the inner felt sense and give focus and attention to the sensations, cues, signals, and experiences felt within the body.
Somatic Experiencing: A body-oriented approach to healing trauma and stress disorders by focusing on the physical sensations and the body's natural ability to self-regulate, process emotions, and heal.
Somatic Healing: A holistic approach that uses body-focused methods to support emotional, mental, and physical healing by working with the body's innate wisdom.
Somatic Journeying: A process of guiding attention through the body to explore and work with physical sensations, emotions, and memories.
Somatic Nervous System: The part of the peripheral nervous system associated with voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles and the reception of external stimuli.
Somatic Therapy: A therapeutic approach that integrates the mind and body, addressing the ways in which the body holds onto past experiences and emotions to promote healing and well-being.
Triggers: Situations or stimuli that activate a stress response, often linked to past trauma or distress.
Somatic Skills
The more you do somatic healing work you will begin to develop new somatic skills and learn a variety of ways to practice using them.
Attunement Skills: The capacity to be deeply aware of and in sync with one's own or others' experiences. Practicing this skill fosters empathy, improves communication, and enhances the ability to respond appropriately to emotional and physical cues.
Boundary Setting: Learning to identify boundaries (and needs) through noticing and attuning with one’s body. Practising this skill will help you establish and maintain healthy emotional and physical boundaries to protect one’s well-being.
Felt Sense Awareness: Enhancing the ability to tune into subtle bodily sensations that provide deeper insights into one's emotional state. Practicing this skill supports emotional processing and decision-making by connecting you to your body's innate wisdom.
Grounding: Techniques that help one stay present and connected to the body, often used to reduce anxiety or overwhelm. Practicing this skill promotes emotional stability and a sense of safety, even in challenging situations.
Integration: Practices that help to bring together disparate emotional or physical experiences into a coherent whole to support emotional balance, clarity, and a sense of wholeness in both the mind and body.
Metacognition: The ability to observe, reflect on, and regulate one's own thought processes. Practicing this skill enhances self-awareness and supports the integration of cognitive and bodily experiences, leading to more thoughtful and mindful actions.
Somatic Movement: Engaging in intentional movements that release tension and improve somatic awareness. Practicing somatic movement fosters physical and emotional release, improving overall well-being and body-mind connection.
Noticing: Developing the ability to pause, focus inward, and recognize bodily sensations and areas of tension. Practicing this skill increases bodily awareness and helps identify areas that need attention or care.
Presencing: Growing the capacity to stay present in the body, even when uncomfortable emotions or experiences are happening. Practicing this skill not only enhances the connection between mind and body but also strengthens relationships with others, situations, and the world around you.
Regulating: Learning how to calm or energize oneself through various techniques to manage the nervous system. Practicing this skill helps maintain emotional balance and resilience in response to life’s stresses.
Self-Compassion: Cultivating kindness and understanding towards oneself, especially when experiencing difficult emotions or bodily sensations. Practicing this skill fosters emotional resilience and a supportive relationship with oneself.
Tracking: Observing and keeping a mental note of changes in sensations, emotions, and bodily responses over time. Practicing this skill enhances self-awareness and helps identify patterns, promoting informed and intentional responses.
Curious about Somatic Experiencing?
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Somatic healing is a mind-body therapy that engages your body as a whole living system. It helps process emotions, release trauma, and enhance self-awareness by tuning into the body's innate wisdom.
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Somatic Experiencing is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine, designed to help individuals recover from trauma by focusing on the body’s natural ability to regulate the nervous system. It aims to release stored stress and tension by guiding clients to gently access and process traumatic memories through bodily sensations, fostering resilience and restoring balance. Unlike some traditional therapies that are talk-based, Somatic Experiencing emphasizes the role of the body in healing trauma and promoting overall well-being.
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Somatic Experiencing is a specific method developed by Dr. Peter Levine, focused on trauma recovery through nervous system regulation. Somatic practices, in general, include a range of techniques that access the body’s wisdom to process emotions and foster self-awareness.
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Somatic therapy works by engaging the body's nervous system, helping to release stored tension and trauma. It utilizes the body's natural capacity to self-regulate and heal, guiding you to tune into your inner sensations and responses. This practice allows for the gentle processing of stress and trauma, supporting the nervous system in moving from a state of dysregulation to one of balance and ease. Through somatic therapy, you develop awareness of your body's signals and learn to navigate your nervous system more effectively, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.
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Sessions typically begin with discussing your current experiences or concerns. You’ll then engage in Somatic Focusing practices to tune into your body, often while seated or lying down comfortably.
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By engaging the body’s natural rhythms and nervous system, somatic healing helps process unexpressed emotions, supports healthy emotional processing, and aids in recovery from trauma.
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No prior experience is necessary. Somatic healing sessions are tailored to your unique needs and guide you through developing somatic awareness and inner focusing skills.
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Developing somatic awareness enhances your ability to understand and interpret your body’s signals, supports emotional regulation, and deepens your connection with your inner self.
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Somatic healing complements other therapeutic approaches by adding a body-focused dimension, which can deepen emotional processing and support holistic healing.
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Somatic experiencing and somatic healing are practices that require consistent commitment to see meaningful shifts. These modalities are most effective when treated as ongoing practices rather than one-time sessions. By committing to a series of sessions, you can develop the habits and skills needed to attune to your body's signals and integrate healing into your daily life. This dedication supports building a sustainable practice of somatic awareness, leading to deeper emotional processing, trauma release, and overall well-being.
Curious about Reiki?
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Reiki is a form of energy healing that channels life force energy to support and nurture your body and soul. It's a calming, non-invasive practice that helps ease tension, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. By fostering the natural flow of energy, Reiki enhances your body's innate ability to heal itself.
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Reiki can help with a variety of issues, including physical pain, emotional stress, and general tension from daily life. It's a therapeutic practice that aids in feeling more grounded, centered, and connected to your inner self.
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Reiki helps reduce stress and tension by promoting a state of deep relaxation. It soothes the nervous system, helping you connect with your inner self and release accumulated stress.
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Yes, Reiki is beneficial for both physical and emotional healing. It helps in tuning into your body's natural rhythms, alleviating stress, and enhancing self-awareness, thereby supporting overall well-being.
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Reiki balances and clears your energy system, creating a conducive environment for your body to heal itself. By alleviating stress and restoring energy balance, Reiki supports both physical and emotional well-being.
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The Usui Reiki Method is a traditional form of Reiki developed by Dr. Mikao Usui. It focuses on channeling energy to balance the body's energy system, supporting relaxation, and promoting healing.
This is the method I am trained in and practice, using it to guide clients towards deep relaxation and enhanced well-being.
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There’s no special preparation needed before a Reiki session. Just wear comfortable clothing and come with an open mind, ready to relax and receive the benefits of the session.
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At the start of the session, we’ll have a brief conversation where you can share your reasons for visiting, along with any boundaries, concerns, or preferences. You’ll lie fully clothed on a massage table (or sit if preferred), and you’ll have the choice between a hands-on or hands-off experience. Blankets, pillows, and a heating pad are available to enhance your comfort. Throughout the session, Reiki energy will gently flow to support relaxation and healing.
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Reiki can be shared with hands-on or hands-off - you can choose what feels right for you, it all depends on your comfort level.
You can change your mind during the session too, my focus is on ensuring that are at ease and relaxed throughout so that you get what you need from Reiki.
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After the session, you may feel a deep sense of relaxation and balance. Many people report feeling more centered and calm, with a noticeable release of tension and stress. The benefits of the session may continue to unfold over the following days, enhancing your overall well-being.
Practical techniques and practices designed to deepen your understanding of your triggers and glimmers.
