The Benefits Of Somatic Exercise For Trauma Release (2024)

Everyone's differing experience with trauma is deeply personal; and the actual definition of trauma can vary from person to person (depending on their own unique circ*mstances, healing mechanisms, and emotions). But one thing that binds us all when it comes to trauma is the way we deal with it — and one sure fire way to do that is through somatic exercise.

Trauma arises when an individual undergoes an event that evokes a profound sense of helplessness, fear, distress, or overwhelming pain. These events can take many forms, ranging from physical or emotional abuse to natural disasters or accidents. The impact of trauma can be long-lasting and far-reaching, affecting not only one's mental and emotional well-being but also their physical health and relationships. Which is why it's crucial to recognize and validate everyone's own experience with trauma, while also understanding that their journey towards healing and resilience is personal and distinct.

In order to address and heal from these experiences, somatic exercise for trauma release has emerged as an incredibly effective approach while also being accessible to anyone.

This method focuses on using physical movement and bodily awareness to help individuals process and release traumatic emotions stored in their bodies. By engaging in somatic exercise, individuals can work towards regaining a sense of control over their bodies and minds, fostering healing and resilience in the face of trauma.

Also, incorporating somatic exercises for trauma release can be incredibly beneficial in one's general health and wellbeing. By learning to listen to your body and becoming more attuned to any physical sensations, you learn to regulate your emotions so you can reduce the impacts of daily stress.

Somatic exercise for trauma release is a life-changing practice when it comes to healing emotional wounds, offering a powerful tool for recovering from trauma. This is because somatic exercises provide a much-needed physical outlet for releasing and expressing the bottled-up energy stored in our bodies by tapping into the healing benefits of movement.

These exercises not only help release tension stored in the body but they also offer a chance to practice self-awareness and learn how to reconnect with our body's natural state of balance and harmony. This awareness can be a crucial step in the healing process as it empowers individuals to better understand and care for their bodies. It's like giving our bodies a voice — allowing them to speak and let go of the heavy burden they've been carrying.

By engaging in somatic exercises for trauma release, individuals can become more attuned to their physical sensations, allowing them to recognize how trauma may have impacted them on a bodily level. So, whether it's through mindful movements, gentle stretches, or breathwork, incorporating somatic exercises into our routine can support us in addressing trauma and rebuilding a sense of equilibrium.

All in all, somatics provides a promising avenue for individuals to navigate the challenging road of trauma recovery.

When it comes to dealing with trauma, one of the first steps towards healing is to reconnect with your body. After experiencing a traumatic event, it's common for individuals to feel a disconnection between their physical and mental selves. And this disconnect can have a profound impact on their overall well-being. That's where somatic exercises come in.

Somatic exercises for trauma release aim to bridge the gap between body and mind, allowing individuals to regain a sense of wholeness and start their healing journey. By focusing on sensations, movements, and breathing, somatic exercises help individuals become more aware of their bodies and the present moment. It's a holistic approach that encourages individuals to listen to what their bodies are telling them and honor their needs.

By incorporating somatic exercises into their routine, individuals can begin to release tension, reduce stress levels, and ultimately, foster a greater sense of overall well-being.

Somatic exercise for trauma is a powerful approach that can effectively tackle the unresolved emotions tied to traumatic experiences. It provides a means for the body to physically move in a way that releases tension and fosters relaxation. Through various forms of exercise, individuals can tap into their somatic awareness and engage in movements that promote healing and emotional release. By incorporating somatic exercise into their routine, individuals can find solace and relief, as they actively work towards addressing and resolving their trauma.

When it comes to healing from trauma, breathwork proves to be an incredibly powerful tool. This technique allows us to delve deeper into our inner experiences, enhancing our overall awareness. By focusing on our breath, we can tap into our physical and psychological selves, promoting a sense of relaxation. With trauma often causing immense distress, breathwork provides a much-needed avenue for relief and recovery. It helps us process emotions and invites a sense of calm, ultimately aiding in the healing process.

Somatic exercise for trauma is a powerful tool that allows us to find a safe space for healing and growth. By developing an awareness of our emotional responses, we gain valuable insight into the underlying causes of our trauma and are better equipped to address them. Utilizing somatic exercises alongside traditional therapy and support systems, we can create a holistic recovery plan that not only helps us heal but also ensures our healing is safe and sustainable. Through this approach, we can learn to effectively manage our emotional responses, giving us the tools to navigate future triggers and setbacks with greater ease.

When seeking inner healing through somatic exercise, it is crucial to start by acknowledging and understanding the trauma that has affected both our minds and bodies. Trauma can leave deep emotional scars, but it also manifests physically in various ways. By taking the time to identify our trauma and recognize how it has impacted us physically, we can begin the journey towards healing. This process allows us to connect with our bodies on a deeper level and address the tension, pain, and other physical symptoms that arise from our traumatic experiences. Through somatic exercises, we learn to listen to our bodies, release stored emotions, and restore balance. It may not always be an easy road, but by being patient and compassionate with ourselves, we can gradually heal from the inside out.

We recommend figuring out where your specific trauma is being stored in your body to find the best somatic exercise program for you!

The Benefits Of Somatic Exercise For Trauma Release (2024)

FAQs

The Benefits Of Somatic Exercise For Trauma Release? ›

“Somatic movement helps people get in tune with their body, release built-up emotions, let go of trauma, and manage mental health,” says Peloton instructor Kristin McGee. “Somatic movement is done consciously and focuses on the internal experience rather than the outcome,” she says.

Do somatic exercises really release trauma? ›

Somatic experiencing was designed to help release trauma that's “trapped” in the body. During therapy, you'll work with your therapist to safely release pent-up energy to overcome your triggers.

What are the benefits of somatic therapy for trauma? ›

Somatic therapy may increase an individual's resilience in social, physical and psychological domains. In addition to improved symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety, somatic therapy may improve an individual's overall sense of well-being, according to research.

How does somatic experiencing heal trauma? ›

SE expands the focus of therapy to include the bodily energy created by trauma and seeks to repair and complete the natural cycle our bodies possess to release it. It also follows a less direct and more incremental approach to revisiting trauma, especially in comparison to Exposure Therapy.

What are the somatic trauma release techniques? ›

Here are a few grounding techniques to try at home:
  • Run water over your hands. ...
  • Move your body in ways that feel most comfortable to you. ...
  • Focus on your breathing while you control how you inhale and exhale. ...
  • Tense and relax different parts of your body. ...
  • Play a “categories” game with yourself.
Jul 21, 2021

Are somatic workouts legit? ›

She also points to a 2022 study that found that Hanna Somatic Education exercises (HSE, a specific type of somatic exercise) helped relieve chronic low back and neck pain. Gossett says getting both a physical workout and doing spiritual or mental work during a somatic movement session like The Class is possible.

Why do people cry during somatic workouts? ›

In somatic therapy, these sensations, along with things like crying, shaking, or shivering, are considered to be a discharge of the energy trapped in your body.

Where is trauma stored in the body? ›

This can happen anywhere in the body, and for trauma survivors, it is most commonly held in the core of the body, the stomach, abdomen, and low back, as well as the upper torso, chest, shoulders, and spine.

What are the negative effects of somatic therapy? ›

Risks of somatic therapy include misinterpretation of touch, re-traumatization, breaking down of defenses, abusive touch and inappropriate regression.

What is the science behind somatic exercises? ›

Self-Care through Somatic Movement

The term “Somatics” was coined by professor and theorist Thomas Hanna in 1976 and it has come to represent a field of movement studies and bodywork that foregrounds the internal physical sensations, perceptions, and experiences of the body.

What does somatic release feel like? ›

You may take a deep sigh and notice an ability to breath easily, or you may feel like you've dropped a huge brick from your heart. Clients often express a lighter feeling after their body has properly sequenced through an event or emotional experience.

How do I start somatic exercise? ›

5 Simple Somatic Stretches for Beginners
  1. Stand straight with your feet rooted. ...
  2. Try to contract and release your foot muscles.
  3. Take deep breaths, noticing how your abdominal muscles expand and contract, and how this feels.
  4. Finally, scan your body from top to bottom, noticing how your different muscles feel.
May 22, 2024

How do you release unprocessed trauma? ›

10 Ways to Release Trauma From the Body
  1. Acknowledge Your Feelings. It is human nature to avoid feeling difficult emotions. ...
  2. Practice Yoga. ...
  3. Shadow Work Exercises. ...
  4. Practice Stillness. ...
  5. Meditation. ...
  6. Self Care. ...
  7. Journaling. ...
  8. Massage.
Dec 1, 2023

Are trauma release exercises legit? ›

There are extensive clinical trials underway to verify the effectiveness of TRE, though anecdotal evidence suggests many people find it does achieve significant improvements. This includes people with PTSD as well as those with chronic illnesses connected to muscle health, such as Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.

Is somatic experiencing legit? ›

Somatic experiencing is a type of body-based trauma therapy that aims to address the physical symptoms of trauma. Some early evidence suggests it may have potential as a PTSD treatment, but there is not enough evidence to firmly support its use.

What exercises release trauma in the body? ›

One of the most common types of Trauma Release Exercises is stretching, which can relieve muscle tension. These stretches might include sitting in a hip squat to release chronic stress or doing wall sits to lessen deep tension. The Spiral Technique is another common Trauma Release Exercise.

Is somatic release real? ›

Somatic therapy uses mind-body techniques to help release stress, trauma, and tension that has become “locked away” in the body. By learning to self-regulate, patients are able to focus on healing trauma with the help of a mental health professional.

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