What is Somatic Yoga & Workout

SOMATIC YOGA & WORKOUT

What is Somatic Yoga

Somatic Yoga is a mindful practice that blends traditional yoga methods with somatic awareness practices. It concentrates on gentle, mindful movements that help remove tension, improve body attention, and enhance mobility. The approach is grounded in the principles of somatic, which involve connecting the body and mind to improve overall health and well-being.

What is a Somatic Workout

A somatic workout is a form of movement practice that focuses on cultivating awareness of the body’s internal sensations to release tension, improve mobility, and enhance overall well-being. Rooted in somatic therapy principles, it emphasizes slow, mindful movements that engage the nervous system and help recalibrate habitual patterns of tension or misalignment.

Unlike traditional fitness routines, which prioritize external outcomes like strength or endurance, somatic workouts aim to reconnect the mind and body, fostering greater self-awareness and relaxation. These exercises are efficient for managing stress, alleviating chronic pain, and promoting balance and harmony in the body.

What is a Somatic Movement

Somatic movement refers to a holistic approach to physical activity that emphasizes body awareness, sensation, and the internal experience of movement. Rooted in the concept of “soma,” which means the body as experienced from within, somatic practices aim to cultivate a deeper connection between the mind and body. Unlike traditional fitness approaches that often focus on external goals like strength or appearance, somatic movement emphasizes mindfulness, self-awareness, and the body’s natural intelligence. Techniques often include gentle, deliberate movements, breathwork, and attention to posture, promoting relaxation, stress relief, and improved physical alignment. This practice is widely used in therapeutic, rehabilitative, and creative contexts to enhance well-being and foster a sense of embodiment.

Here are three beginners somatic Yoga poses to try in your workout

Here are three beginner-friendly somatic Yoga poses that focus on gentle movement, body awareness, and relaxation:

1. Somatic Cat-Cow

Purpose: Improves spinal mobility and connects breath with movement.

How to Do:

1. Start in a tabletop position with wrists under shoulders and knees under hips.
2. Inhale: Arch your back gently, lift your chest, and gaze upward (Cow Pose).
3. Exhale: Round your back, tucking your chin and tailbone (Cat Pose).
4. Move slowly and mindfully, noticing how your spine feels with each movement.

Tips: Avoid forcing the movements; focus on small, controlled motions.

Read also: 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training

2. Pelvic Tilts

Purpose: Relieves lower back tension and enhances awareness of the pelvis.

How to Do:

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent, your feet flat on the ground, and your arms relaxed by your sides.
2. Inhale: Tilt your pelvis forward, creating a slight arch in your lower back.
3. Exhale: Flatten your lower back against the mat by tilting your pelvis.
4. Repeat slowly, paying attention to how your pelvis and lower back move.

Tips: Keep the movements subtle and smooth.

3. Somatic Side Stretch

Purpose: Releases tension in the sides of the body and improves lateral flexibility.

How to Do:

1. Sit cross-legged or in a comfortable seated position.
2. Inhale: Reach your right arm up and over, leaning gently to the left.
3. Exhale: Return to the centre and switch sides.
4. Move slowly, feeling the stretch along the side of your body.

Tips: Avoid collapsing your chest or overstretching, and focus your movements on internal sensations rather than external forms.

This practice helps participants reconnect with their bodies, address chronic pain, and better understand habitual movement patterns. It is particularly effective for stress reduction, nervous system regulation, and fostering a sense of ease and balance in daily life.