SOMATIC AWARENESS

UNLOCK YOUR BODY’S WISDOM AND INTUITION

Somatic awareness is the ability to notice and understand your physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts. It helps you connect with how your body reacts to what you feel inside and what happens around you. This connection between mind and body is vital, as our perception of ourselves and the world is filtered through somatic awareness.

For many, somatic awareness is a brand-new way of existing within themselves. In Western culture, feelings are often viewed as problematic, leading many to ignore their emotions altogether. However, ignoring one’s feelings is akin to piloting an aircraft while disregarding the control panel—essentially, it’s like flying blind.

I originally developed and taught this class as part of the Hutchins Program at Sonoma State University, where I served as an adjunct professor for three years. This foundation informs the workshop, making it accessible and relevant for anyone seeking to deepen their self-knowledge and connection to their bodies.

  • Somatic awareness is the conscious experience of bodily sensations, perceptions, emotions, and thoughts, as they combine to create a whole experience. Somatic awareness involves tuning into your physical presence and recognizing how your body responds to both internal and external stimuli. This connection between mind and body is vital, as our perception of ourselves and the world is filtered through somatic awareness.

    Cultivating somatic awareness requires a commitment to being fully present and aware in each moment. The mind and body are interconnected, meaning the state of your mind influences your body, and vice versa.

    By engaging in this living process, you can deepen your connection to yourself, enhance your ability to navigate emotions, and foster greater self-knowledge and personal agency.

  • Somatic awareness works by engaging the mind and body in a reciprocal relationship. Through various exercises, participants learn to slow down and observe their internal landscape. By focusing on breath, sensory input, and physical sensations, individuals can identify patterns and responses that may have previously gone unnoticed. This heightened awareness enables you to connect with your body’s wisdom, allowing for more informed choices and authentic responses to your emotions and environment.

  • During a workshop, we will practice three interconnected somatic awareness exercises:

    1. Breath Awareness: We’ll begin with simple breathing exercises to help you ease into your body and explore the mind-body connection.

    2. Sensory Awareness: Moving deeper, you’ll observe sensory input from your environment, paying attention to how you process stimuli physically, mentally, and emotionally.

    3. Bodily Awareness: Finally, we’ll engage in informal physical exercises to develop familiarity with your body language and enhance your overall body awareness.

    Throughout the workshop, you’ll be encouraged to hold space for your own process and experiences. Somatic awareness is about getting to know yourself better. There’s no single “right” way to inhabit your body; it’s about discovering what works best for you and learning to recognize your own “normal.”

  • Currently, I offer somatic awareness workshops exclusively for groups of three or more participants (in-person or virtually). These workshops create a supportive environment for participants to deepen their understanding of themselves and connect with others through shared experiences.

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If you’re curious about an offering or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized assistance.