Everyone can benefit [from a somatic practice]. It supports us in becoming less reactive, and when we are less reactive, we are more likely to let go of fears and/or frustrations that lead to unhealthy living in every way.”
That said, not everyone will benefit from practicing on their own. It is possible for some people to experience too much release without a trained instructor, and people experiencing acute levels of trauma would also want to seek professional advice as to how to engage in somatics, says Syfko.
“Somatics gets tricky for people who don’t understand what they’re feeling,” says Schneider. “Not being able to understand what you’re feeling is scary. Some people can easily rationalize it away, some can easily compartmentalize, and some people default to ruminating over it. Professional guidance can help them determine what that sensation means to them. Especially if you’re using somatics for mental health, it’s something that should at some point be guided by someone who can respect that aspect of it.”
Whether you’re practicing solo or with a guide, a sense of safety is a critical aspect of somatics.
“Getting into the body and feeling safe there — that is the work,” says Johnson, who advises titrating — or continuously monitoring and adjusting the balance — between areas of anxiety or tension and areas of safety or comfort to avoid overwhelm or the possibility of being retraumatized by whatever your body is holding onto.
“It can take time, so it’s important to do this work with compassion,” she says. “Remember, our patterns are there to protect us. They served a purpose at some point. But they are not personality traits. You can change by healing these conditioned patterns.