Feeling Your Feelings by Sarah Keelon

Somatic therapy is a holistic approach to healing and emphasizes the profound connection between the mind and body. It's based on the idea that trauma and stress are not just psychological experiences but are also stored in the body. By using techniques that focus on bodily sensations—such as breathing exercises, movement, and mindfulness—somatic therapy helps individuals release the physical tension and emotions associated with past traumas.

This approach has gained widespread attention, in part due to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s influential book, The Body Keeps the Score. In his work, van der Kolk explores how trauma affects the brain and body, emphasizing that traumatic experiences are stored not just as memories, but as physical sensations and patterns within the body. He argues that simply talking about trauma is not always enough; the body must also be engaged in the healing process.

Something I struggled with in my own therapy journey was feeling like I understood my emotions and could explain why I was anxious or depressed, but that understanding alone didn’t help me feel any better. I found myself intellectualizing my feelings rather than truly "feeling" them. This is something I see with many clients who come to therapy—they can explain their emotions but still feel stuck or disconnected from them.

What really helped me bridge that gap was practicing somatic techniques. These techniques allowed me to stop overanalyzing and start letting my body physically feel the emotions. By engaging my body, I could release the emotional tension that talking alone didn’t seem to address. My goal with my clients is to teach them somatic techniques they can use in their own healing journeys. I want to help them move beyond intellectualizing their emotions and guide them toward fully feeling and processing their emotions for deeper healing and relief.

Here are a few easy somatic exercises you can try to help release tension, calm your nervous system, and connect with your body:

1. Grounding Exercise

This helps you reconnect with the present moment and your body.

• How to do it: Sit or stand with your feet flat on the ground. Feel the sensation of your feet touching the floor. Imagine your feet are growing roots into the earth. Take a few slow, deep breaths, paying attention to the feeling of your breath going in and out of your body.

2. Body Scan

A body scan helps you become aware of tension or discomfort in different parts of your body.

• How to do it: Lie down or sit comfortably. Close your eyes and slowly bring your attention to different parts of your body, starting from your toes and working your way up to your head. Notice any sensations—tingling, tightness, or relaxation. As you find areas of tension, take a deep breath and imagine that tension melting away.

3. Shaking

Shaking can help release built-up energy and tension from the body.

• How to do it: Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Start gently shaking your arms, legs, and torso. Gradually let your entire body shake, moving however feels natural. You can do this for 1–2 minutes, then pause and notice how your body feels.

Incorporating somatic practices into therapy allows individuals to not only understand their emotions but to truly feel and release them, leading to a more holistic and lasting healing experience. Let’s begin that journey together! Give us a call or send us an email today!

References: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books.