What is Somatic Breathwork and How Does it Heal our Mind and Body?
“Soma” (from somatic) refers to the body. When we experience stress or trauma the event, or series of events, can leave an emotional energetic imprint on our nervous system that keeps us energetically handcuffed to that event–in other words, emotionally and energetically stuck in the past.
Very often we can't, won't, or don't know how to express the surplus energy pressed upon us from these stressful or traumatic, imprint-inducing events. And very often in this state we begin to dissociate from our bodies as a defense mechanism from the pain and pressure–whether psychological, physical or both.
This dissociation from our body can put us chronically "in our head"–overthinking, worrying, overanalyzing, second guessing–feeling stuck, anxious, overwhelmed, sad, frustrated, tense, hyper-vigilant, unclear and confused… causing us any number of unpleasant feelings or to shut down.
Add to that our increasingly computerized, mentally dominant culture separating us from the natural world, and we tend to lose touch with the innate wisdom of our bodies. Nature carries its own innate intelligence, and as human mammals on the planet earth, we are nature, first and foremost.
Enter Somatic Breathwork…
Consider for a moment that as you read this your heart is beating, your body is digesting food, assimilating nutrients and repairing cellular damage. Your conscious mind can learn the details of these processes but it’s your body’s innate intelligence that carries them out whether your mind is consciously aware of them or not.
In a similar way we can utilize our breath to tap into the deeper running currents of our nervous system and allow our body, through its own innate wisdom, to release suppressed energy from the imprints of accumulated stress and trauma that have built up and are holding us hostage to the past. We can break free of habituated patterns of self-sabotage, anxiety, overthinking, confusion, sadness, tension, fear… and create space to arrive in the present moment with a clean slate, welcoming new, fresh energy–love, gratitude and blissful, present-moment connection and awareness.
When we experience Somatic Breathwork–simply by breathing in certain patterns, connecting to what we are feeling, and allowing our body the opportunity to release deeply suppressed energy–the body/soma (through its own innate intelligence) is able to set us energetically free from the past and heal.
We can observe mammals in the wild, for instance, that tremor furiously after a near-death experience–literally “shaking off” the trauma. This allows the animal to release the energetic imprint of the event, effectively move on and get back to the business of living. In this way it is not the trauma or stressor itself but our inability to release the suppressed energy impressed upon us from the event that causes lingering deleterious effects on our mind and body.
As highly domesticated mammals we humans so often don’t know how to access and release these built up, suppressed energetic imprints. Over time they can build and accumulate, creating dis-ease in the body and mind.
Without expression these imprints stay “stuck.” They don’t go away until we can access and move them. In the words of Sigmund Freud: “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.”
Even if our conscious mind moves on, represses or denies the stressful or traumatic memory, our soma/nervous system/body is still tethered to that moment via the energetic imprint. This can make it difficult or impossible to truly, genuinely move on and fully embrace the present.
Thankfully, through the practice of Somatic Breathwork, we can utilize our own breath to clear the pathways of these stuck energetic imprints–releasing stress and anxiety, and setting us free to arrive fully in the present moment–creating space to embody our highest vibration, fullest self-expression and deepest authenticity in connecting to the richness of our lives.
Somatic Breathwork can be moderately intensive at times for some people. No prior experience of any kind is necessary, and the process (certainly with me) is never pushed. The practice itself is very simple and is appropriate for all levels, ages 18 and up. All that is required is the desire to connect and heal.
Please note the following contraindications:
pregnant
history of seizures
recent surgery
serious cardiac history
Reach out any time for more information at jonorsini.com.
Jon Orsini is a certified breathwork guide on the faculty at Kripalu Center. He began guiding after many years as a multiple award-winning Broadway and film actor. Free practice available via youtube.com/@breathworkwithjon. More information, 1-on-1 sessions and upcoming events at jonorsini.com.
Join Jon for a Somatic Breathwork workshop at Sanctuary on Sunday, June 30th. Learn more & register.
