Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Therapy, and the Somatic Healing Power of Yoga

In the world of healing and self-discovery, the term somatic has gained significant recognition. Stemming from the Greek word soma, meaning body, somatic practices focus on the body’s intelligence, sensations, and capacity for self-regulation. Two key approaches in this realm are Somatic Experiencing and Somatic Therapy, both of which recognise the intricate connection between the mind and body in trauma resolution. Interestingly, yoga itself is a deeply somatic healing practice, predating modern therapeutic models by thousands of years. Let’s deep dive in and explore these connections...

What is Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-centred approach to trauma healing, developed by Dr. Peter Levine in the 1970s. Rooted in studies of the nervous system, SE acknowledges that trauma is not just a psychological experience but a physiological one. Levine observed that animals in the wild experience life-threatening events yet rarely develop chronic trauma responses. He theorised that this is because they naturally discharge the residual energy of the event through instinctive movements like shaking or trembling.

In humans, however, the fight-flight-freeze responses often get stuck due to societal conditioning, leading to unresolved trauma. SE helps individuals reconnect with bodily sensations, track nervous system states, and gradually release stored tension without needing to relive the traumatic event in full. Through guided exercises, a trained SE practitioner helps a person develop awareness of their body's responses, allowing for integration and healing.

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic Therapy is a broad term encompassing various body-based healing modalities that address emotional and psychological trauma by engaging with physical sensations. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which primarily engages the cognitive mind, somatic therapy prioritizes bodily awareness as a pathway to transformation.

Various modalities of somatic therapy include:

• Hakomi Method – A mindfulness-based somatic approach that explores how unconscious beliefs shape our experiences.

• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – Developed by Pat Ogden, integrating talk therapy with movement and posture to process trauma.

• Body-Mind Centring (BMC) – Developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, focusing on experiential anatomy and movement to deepen body awareness.

Somatic therapy recognises that emotions are stored in the body and can manifest as chronic tension, pain, or illness. By bringing mindful awareness to the body and engaging in gentle movement, breath-work, or touch-based interventions, somatic therapy facilitates deep, embodied healing.

How Yoga is a Somatic Healing Practice

Long before modern psychology coined the term somatic therapy, yoga was already an advanced system of body-based healing. Yoga is inherently a somatic practice because it bridges the gap between body, breath, and mind, helping individuals process and release stored tension. Here’s how:

1. Mindful Movement and Nervous System RegulationYoga asanas (postures) encourage interoception—the ability to sense what is happening inside the body. Slow, conscious movement activates the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting the body from a state of stress (fight-flight-freeze) to relaxation (rest-and-digest).

2. Breath-work as a Somatic ToolPranayama (yogic breathwork) directly influences the autonomic nervous system, helping regulate emotions and energy levels. Breath control techniques, such as Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and Bhramari (humming breath), stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting calm and emotional balance.

3. Releasing Trauma Through Stillness and PresencePractices like Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga allow the body to soften and unwind stored tension. Long-held postures, combined with mindful awareness, create space for emotions and physical sensations to surface and release gently.

4. Yoga Nidra and Somatic IntegrationYoga Nidra, also called yogic sleep, is a powerful guided meditation practice that induces a deep state of relaxation while maintaining awareness. This state enables the nervous system to process unresolved emotional experiences in a non-invasive, embodied way.

5. Philosophical and Ethical HealingThe Yamas and Niyamas (ethical guidelines of yoga) provide a framework for emotional and mental well-being. Concepts like Ahimsa (non-harm) and Santosha (contentment) align with somatic healing principles by fostering self-compassion, presence, and nervous system resilience.

6. Mantra and Sound HealingThe vibrational quality of chanting and mantra repetition affects the nervous system, helping to regulate emotions and promote relaxation. The rhythmic sound waves of sacred Sanskrit chants can stimulate the vagus nerve, release stored tension, and create a meditative, embodied state.

   
   

Yoga as a Holistic Somatic Path

What makes yoga unique as a somatic healing modality is that it addresses not just the physical body, but also the energetic, mental, and spiritual dimensions of healing. Unlike some somatic therapies that focus solely on the body’s responses, yoga integrates movement, breath, meditation, and ethical living, making it a comprehensive system for lifelong healing and self-regulation.

For those who struggle with anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, or emotional dysregulation, yoga offers a deeply intelligent, somatic-based toolkit. It teaches us that healing does not come from force but from presence, awareness, and allowing the body to process experiences at its own pace.

Conclusion

Both Somatic Experiencing and Somatic Therapy recognise that healing happens through the body, not just the mind. Yoga, with its ancient wisdom and embodied practices, aligns seamlessly with these modern approaches. Whether through mindful movement, breath-work, or deep relaxation, yoga is a profoundly somatic path to self-healing—one that has stood the test of time and continues to offer solace in a fast-paced, often disconnected world.

If you are looking to integrate somatic practices into your healing journey, consider exploring yoga with a new lens: not just as a physical practice, but as a gateway to deep, embodied healing.

Feel free to feast your eyes on the workshops I've lovingly created with somatic healing in mind and at heart. Just head to ojayoga.com.au and scroll down. You can expand on the course descriptions by clicking the 'learn more' buttons. Feel free to e-mail me expressions of interest, any private group bookings of any of these workshops on a different day with a group of friends or colleagues. I love to hold space and run these game changing, self development workshops at every opportunity. I love to pamper!

Namaste,

Kali

@ojayoga

Kali @ojayoga