somatic body.
Soma, derived from the Greek word for "body," refers to our "intelligent body", our neurological network, which plays a far greater role in our well-being than we often realize.
Uncontrolled anxiety, negative self-talk, and other unhealthy habits obscure Soma’s natural health and wisdom. However, by becoming aware of Soma and learning to track bodily sensations, we gain the power to make conscious choices and transform our behavior. The information and sensations we receive from the body influence our habitual patterns, defense mechanisms, beliefs, thoughts, and emotions, ultimately reshaping our experience.
Our sensory system processes stimuli from the external environment, which are received by the nervous system and translated into actions or behaviors. However, these actions are also shaped by our internal narrative and past beliefs. We act according to what we perceive as true—our belief system. By creating a physical-emotional roadmap that integrates both external and internal experiences, we develop a tool to shift our narrative and replace outdated patterns. This process activates new neural connections through neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural networks, is not confined to the brain alone—the body plays a crucial role in this transformation. Through somatic inquiry and exploration, the body can generate change and send new information, initiating a transformation even before the mind fully registers it. This process influences neural patterns on both conscious and subconscious levels.
The vagus nerve and the gut—often referred to as our "second brain"—are key players in this process, significantly impacting the nervous system. The gut alone transmits 90% of its information to the brain. However, every part of the body participates in this intricate exchange of data, shaping our perception, our lived experience, and ultimately, our reality.
Soma represents the lived experience of our consciousness, our soul.
To understand this process more deeply, let’s examine its anatomy. The nervous system and fascia serve as our primary data collectors:
The fascia system is the structural framework of our entire body, a vast electrical network with over 100 million sensory receptors. It transmits information faster than the nervous system, detecting sound, touch, vibration, and pressure from both external and internal environments, as well as conveying mechanical data about muscles and joints.
When sensory information reaches the nervous system, it undergoes interpretation, forming patterns of perception. This is where experiences of pain or trauma, both physical and emotional, take shape. The body stores trauma, which is why movement-based, kinesthetic experiences can be powerful tools for healing.
Stored trauma creates stagnant energy and blockages that must be released and rebalanced from within. Only then can the physical, mental, and emotional bodies function optimally, allowing "prana", the vital life force described in yoga, to flow freely. Somatic practices facilitate the release of trapped emotions, enabling profound transformation across all aspects of life.
Creativity and movement exploration play essential roles in this transformation. By engaging in intuitive, receptive movement, we not only create cellular change and establish new patterns but also invite inspiration and "kenosis", a state of emptying oneself to allow divine energy to enter. In this way, we shift from merely "doing" to truly "being." This shift is vital, as it not only heals our wounds but also restores our purpose, values, and authentic self.
This is how we rewrite our narrative, how we move beyond the past and begin shaping the future.
“Learn how to treat the brain as an object and the body as a subject. Yogis know that they have a brain from the bottom of their feet to the top of their head. They don’t live in the head only.” — B.K.S. Iyengar
