If there’s one question I hear again and again lately, it’s this:
“What exactly is somatic coaching?”
I also hear things like this:
“Somatic seems to be a buzz word in the healing industry, but what does that even mean?”
Combine the word somatic with the word coaching – and that’s another thing entirely!
So today, I want to take a moment to share what somatic coaching is and how it can support you.
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Firstly, the word somatic is derived from the Greek word: somatikos – which means pertaining to the body.
When the word somatic is combined with coaching, we’re coaching the body or working with the body to help guide you through your life.
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Now to take it a bit deeper – and more specifically to my practice’s work in this realm –
I’m trained in The BodyMind Method™ – a somatic coaching technique developed by Laura Wieck.
Behind the scenes, I’m also training in Positive Intelligence – work that helps you identify and move beyond your internal saboteurs so they don’t keep holding you back from the life you’re meant to live.
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But let’s come back to The BodyMind Method™ and why I pursued training in it.
My interest in the connection between the body and mind started on day one of my massage therapy journey. I’ve always resonated with the idea that “the body keeps the score” – that what we don’t process emotionally or mentally doesn’t just disappear.
It gets stored beneath the surface, within our tissues and fascia, and remains there until we address it.
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Over the years, I’ve witnessed this firsthand.
I’ve seen clients experience emotional releases on the table. I’ve had people come in and share everything that’s been weighing on them before a session – only to get up afterward and say:
– “Wow… I can turn my neck more,”
– “My back feels lighter,”
– “My low back doesn’t hurt as much anymore.”
Those experiences deepened my curiosity and led me to explore the body-mind connection more intentionally.
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That’s where somatic coaching comes in.
The BodyMind Method™ works with what we call your “three brains”:
– the brain in your head
– the neurological tissue in your heart
– your gut
Each one carries its own form of intelligence.
When they’re in alignment, life tends to feel different – there’s more flow, clarity, and joy. You feel connected to your purpose and to how you are meant to live, rather than how you’ve been told you should.
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The reality is, many of us are disconnected from our heart and gut intelligence.
Rebuilding that connection takes guidance, intention, and practice.
Somatic coaching is designed to support you in that process. It’s a thoughtful, present-focused approach that helps you cultivate a sense of safety in your body so you can truly hear its messages – and use that awareness to determine your next steps.
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While this work is primarily present- and future-focused, sometimes experiences from the past may arise. If deeper processing is needed, that’s a great opportunity to bring that into a therapeutic setting where you can fully work through it.
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In addition to somatic coaching, I’m also trained in:
– breathwork
– nervous system regulation
– self-healing myofascial techniques
This means our sessions are highly individualized. Just like in a bodywork session, we meet you where you are and draw from a range of tools to best support you in that moment.
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Also, just so you know, this work is primarily done virtually.
You can be anywhere in the world and still work with me – this is not limited to an in-person setting.
That said, if you are a current in-person client, you do have options. You can choose to work with me in person, or opt for a hybrid session – something many of you are already experiencing – where we combine somatic coaching and hands-on bodywork into one integrated session.
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If you’re curious about this work and want to experience it for yourself, feel free to schedule a complimentary 30-minute session. This gives you the opportunity to try it on and see if it’s the right fit for you.
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In the meantime, I invite you to ponder this:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, our bodies are seen as a microcosm of a macrocosm. This means that whatever we witness happening in the natural world around us is also happening within the natural world of our own biology.
Or as my Movement Medicine mentors, Susannah and Ya’cov Darling Kahn say,
“The earth of our bodies.”
The nature of the earth has the inherent ability to bring itself back into balance…
so too does your body.
A deep wisdom resides within the biology of your human design.
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This being said…
What would your life be like – and feel like – if you truly listened to your body?
If you trusted its signals, honored its rhythms, and allowed it to guide you?
I venture an educated guess that your life would transform into one that’s more aligned, fulfilling, and on purpose…
…and yes – joy-filled.