How Somatic-Based Therapy Came About: A Historical Perspective
With a simple google search of the word, soma, you will be led to a page that defines soma as the body of an organism.
While this definition does not say much about what somatic work, intervention, or therapy might mean, it does paint a picture of what soma is related to - our bodies. Soma Circle defines somatic work as a bottom-up approach that explores happenings within the body and our psyche.
Let’s take a look at how somatic therapy came about in our modern times.
Somatic work is not all that new. In fact, it has been around for ages. Meditation, Aikido, Dance, Pilates, Yoga, and Tai Chi are some examples of soma-related exercises. According to Somatic ExperiencingⓇ International, in recent times, somatic therapy has become increasingly recognised due to scientific research proving that ‘Somatic ExperiencingⓇ’ for example, is an effective tool in aiding people experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In the 20th century, Thomas Hanna, a philosophy professor, introduced ‘Somatics’ as a concept to the world. He was one of the first to put on paper that people who have suffered from chronic pain can teach their muscles and retrain their nervous system in order to relieve chronic pain.
Thomas Hanna believed that muscle memory holds onto information that informs our nervous system on how to move and react. Over time, our muscles may tighten or get restricted due to various external stimuli like habitual patterns or trauma. Via small changes to our movement and being aware of our body-mind integration, Thomas Hanna believed that we can re-educate our brain and store new information in our muscle memory so that we can function with more ease.
In recent times, somatic therapy, exercises, and education have been extended to aid people who are not just experiencing chronic pain but are undergoing stress, anxiety, and physical manifestations of traumatic episodes.
Past experiences may sometimes leave a profound impact on our bodies which can unknowingly manifest later as physical and physiological symptoms such as chronic pain or tension, eczema, lack of energy, vertigo, chronic fatigue, burnout, and more. It is important to note that these physical symptoms are different for everyone.
Genetics also plays a huge role in how one’s body reacts to stressful periods and experiences. Some people might experience a different set of symptoms from others at varying levels of intensity. In our articles to come, we will explore the topic of ‘Epigenetics’ and the role that our genes play in determining how our body reacts to stressful periods in our lives.
Another school of thought that came about in the 70s was the Hakomi Method. The theory underlying this method is mindfulness. Through compassionate and gentle guidance from professionals, one will be led to understand their inner workings better and this can help people with chronic stress or PTSD. The five core principles that make up the Hakomi Method are mindfulness, organicity, non-violence, mind-body integration, and unity.
“The human body is not an instrument to be used, but a realm of one’s being to be experienced, explored, enriched, and thereby, educated.”
Keep a look out for future blog posts where we explore the Hakomi Method and other somatic-related theories and approaches. In the meantime, here are some highly-acclaimed books and films to check out if you would like to learn more about somatics and the human body:
Somatics: Reawakening The Mind's Control Of Movement, Flexibility, And Health - Book by Thomas Hanna
It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle - Book by Mark Wolynn
The Wisdom of Trauma - Film by Zaya Benazzo and Maurizio Benazzo
Works Cited
Brom, Danny. “Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study.” Journal of Traumatic Stress, vol. 30, no. 3, 2017, pp. 304-312, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5518443/. Accessed 30 October 2022.
Ekhart Yoga. “Yoga and Somatics.” Ekhart Yoga, https://www.ekhartyoga.com/resources/styles/yoga-and-somatics. Accessed 30 October 2022.
GoodTherapy. “The Hakomi Method, Hakomi Experiential Psychotherapy.” GoodTherapy, 28 February 2018, https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/hakomi. Accessed 30 October 2022.
Psychology Today Singapore. “Somatic Therapy.” Psychology Today, 2 June 2022, https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/therapy-types/somatic-therapy. Accessed 30 October 2022.
Soma Circle. Soma Circle, https://somacircle.space/. Accessed 30 October 2022.
Warren, Sarah. “The History of Somatics - How Hanna Somatics was developed.” Somatic Movement Center, 5 January 2016, https://somaticmovementcenter.com/history-of-somatics/. Accessed 30 October
