“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them. Physical self-awareness is the first step in releasing the tyranny of the past.”
-Bessel van der Kolk

Who knew the secret to life's toughest questions would come from a book I almost used to squish a spider?

Bessel van der Kolk, in his gem "The Body Keeps the Score," introduced me to somatic therapies, a concept suggesting our bodies hold onto memories and emotions. Intrigued by the notion that addressing the mind-body connection could bring about some needed healing in my life, I delved into somatic or “body-awareness” therapies.

The first practice I set about to try was somatic breathing.

Somatic breathing is focused, mindful breathing to help you tune into your body and emotions. Think of it as having a relaxed chat with your body, understanding its feelings and signals, all by just breathing intentionally.

In my quest for tranquility, I puffed up my belly with each inhale, only to deflate like a faulty accordion on the exhale. As if my melodramatic breathing wasn't spectacle enough, in ambled Charlie, my golden retriever. Misinterpreting my accordion impression as a playtime invite, he leapt onto my inflating belly, turning my controlled exhale into a surprised "oomph!"

So, my inaugural somatic breathing session turned into more of a slapstick comedy than a meditative retreat. But now, every new session comes with a side of chuckles as I remember my eventful first attempt.

Despite a clumsy start, I soon realized that somatic breathing was my passport to the superhero universe. No, I couldn’t suddenly fly or become invisible. But each breath I took seemed to clear the fog in my mind, instilling a sense of calm I hadn't experienced since my last beach vacation, which was...let's just say a long time ago.

And the more I integrated these breathing techniques into my daily routine, the more benefits I found!

Not only was my mind more clear and my stress relieved, but study after study shows that there were other things happening in my body below the surface.

My blood pressure lowered. I was getting more oxygen into my cells and tissues. My heart rate slowed. My arteries became more flexible. I was activating the parasympathetic nervous system and giving a huge boost to immune function, releasing helpful neurochemicals, and setting myself up for better sleep. All just from taking some mindful, intentional breaths!

Want to give somatic breathing a whirl? Here's a simple breathing technique that you can do anytime, anywhere that’ll help soothe nerves and improve your mind-body connection:

1. Find a spot where you won't be disturbed (lock the pets out!)
2. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and say hi to your body
3. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach
4. Breathe in slowly through your nose. Feel your stomach rise (it's not just for food, folks!)
5. Breathe out through your mouth, and feel your stomach fall (like a deflated balloon)
6. Repeat this cycle, and imagine each breath sweeping away the cobwebs in your mind and releasing the physical tension that you are holding in your body
   

After about ten minutes, check in on your mental and physical state. Has anything changed? Do you feel more in-tune with your body? Are you calm, relaxed, and smiling? The more you do this simple exercise, the better and better you’ll feel.

Through somatic breathing, I've unearthed a treasure trove of tranquility, resilience, and belly laughs. So, let's honor the magical mix of healing and laughter, the best combo since peanut butter and jelly!

By the way, if you want an easy way to add a deep & powerful somatic therapy into your daily routine, check out Centerflow Healing Trauma Solution - a new trauma-healing program that uses advanced meditation technologies and coaching to help you heal from trauma.

I’m proud to say that when we were in the idea phase of Centerflow Healing Trauma Solution, it was my personal experience with somatic therapies that prompted us to include a somatic therapy track called Somatic Soother, which is a progressive total body scan meditation that’ll help release pain and tension in the body.

You can learn more by following this link.

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