Frequently Asked Questions

The word "somatics" comes from the Greek word soma, meaning "the body as you feel it from within." Somatics means practices and approaches that focus on awareness of your body from the inside, instead of viewing your body as an object from the outside.

Philosopher and movement teacher Thomas Hanna made the term popular in the 1970s, though body practices have existed for thousands of years across many cultures.

No, though there can be overlap. Physical therapy usually focuses on fixing specific injuries or movement problems, often using exercises and outside assessment. Massage therapy works with soft tissue for relaxation or healing.

Somatics focuses on internal awareness, voluntary control, and bringing together mind-body-feeling. Somatic practices teach you to sense and change patterns from the inside out, instead of having someone "fix" you from the outside. That said, some teachers combine multiple approaches.

Absolutely not. Somatic practices are designed to meet you wherever you are. There are no requirements about flexibility, fitness level, or body type. The focus is on awareness and exploration, not performance or achievement.

Many somatic practices involve very gentle, small movements or even just imagining movement. They can be adapted for people with long-term pain, disabilities, or limited mobility.

Yes, more and more. While somatic practices have ancient roots in hands-on wisdom, modern brain science and clinical research support many main ideas:

• Research on noticing what's inside confirms that body awareness goes along with managing feelings
• Trauma studies show that body-based therapies (like Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy) work well to treat PTSD
• Movement studies show that practices like Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique reduce long-term pain
• Brain science supports neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize through awareness and movement

Yoga and meditation are actually somatic practices! "Somatics" is a broad term that includes many methods—yoga, tai chi, qigong, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, body scans, and more.

What brings them together is the focus on your own body experience and bringing together awareness, sensation, breath, and movement. Some somatic approaches have specific techniques or ideas, but all share these basic principles.

Somatic therapy is a type of psychotherapy that knows that trauma, feeling, and stress live in the body, not just the mind. Somatic therapists help clients:

• Notice and track body sensations
• Release stored tension or trauma
• Complete interrupted defensive responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn)
• Calm the nervous system
• Build resources and resilience

Examples include Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Hakomi. These approaches often bring together talk therapy with body awareness and movement.

Yes. Research shows that somatic therapies work very well for trauma, especially PTSD. Trauma is stored not just in conscious memory but also in the body and nervous system—in patterns of tension, being on high alert, numbing, and not being able to calm down.

Somatic approaches address trauma at this body level, helping the nervous system complete defensive responses and return to a state of safety. Methods like Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and trauma-sensitive yoga have strong research support.

However, somatic therapy should be practiced by trained professionals, especially when working with trauma. See our Research page for studies.

Look for therapists who are:

• Licensed mental health professionals (LMFT, LCSW, psychologist, etc.)
• Trained in a recognized somatic method (SE, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Hakomi, etc.)
• Certified or registered with professional organizations

Where to search:

• Somatic Experiencing International: directory.traumahealing.org
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute: sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/referral
• US Association for Body Psychotherapy: usabp.org/Find-a-Therapist

It depends. If your somatic therapist is a licensed mental health professional (LMFT, LCSW, psychologist), their services are often covered by insurance just like any psychotherapy. However, coverage varies by insurance plan and provider.

Some somatic teachers (like Feldenkrais or Alexander Technique teachers) are not licensed therapists, and their services are generally not covered by insurance unless they also hold a license in another field (e.g., physical therapy).

Always check with your insurance provider and the teacher about coverage and costs.

Here are some easy ways to begin:

• Try simple practices: Start with body scans, mindful breathing, or gentle movement (see our How page for guided practices)
• Take a class: Look for Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, yoga, tai chi, or qigong classes in your area
• Read or watch: Books like The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk) or Waking the Tiger (Levine) introduce somatic ideas
• Work with a teacher: If you're addressing trauma, long-term pain, or specific issues, find a trained somatic therapist or teacher

The key is to start gently and with curiosity, not forcing or "fixing."

Even a few minutes a day can make a difference. Many people find that:

• Daily practice (5-20 minutes) builds awareness and creates lasting change
• Weekly classes provide structure and guidance
• Throughout the day—pausing to notice your breath, check in with sensations, or adjust posture—strengthens learning

Consistency matters more than how long. Short, regular practices work better than occasional long sessions.

This depends on the method and teacher, but generally:

• Intake/talk: The teacher will ask about your goals, health history, and any concerns
• Slow, gentle exploration: You'll be guided to notice sensations, breath, or movement—usually lying down, sitting, or standing
• No forcing or pain: Somatic work is gentle and respects your limits. You remain in control
• Integration time: Sessions often end with time to rest and let the experience settle in

It's normal to feel unfamiliar sensations, emotions, or tiredness afterward. This is part of the learning and release process.

Both! Many simple somatic practices (body scans, breathing exercises, gentle movement) can be done on your own using books, videos, or apps.

However, working with a trained teacher is valuable for:

• Personal guidance: They can adjust practices to your needs
• Deeper learning: Small adjustments and feedback speed up progress
• Safety: Especially important for trauma work or complex issues

A combination of self-practice and occasional guidance often works best.

It can be, depending on how practices are taught and credited. Many somatic practices (yoga, qigong, tai chi, trance dance, etc.) come from Indigenous, African, or Asian cultures. When these practices are taken, sold, and stripped of their cultural and spiritual context without crediting or paying the source communities, that is appropriation.

Ethical somatic practice means:

• Recognizing where practices come from
• Crediting and paying knowledge holders
• Respecting cultural context and meaning
• Centering overlooked voices in the field

See our Who page for more on respectful and ethical practice.

While Thomas Hanna created the term "somatics" in 1970 and Western people like Moshe Feldenkrais and F. Matthias Alexander organized certain methods, somatic wisdom is global and ancient.

Indigenous healers, yoga teachers, African dancers, Chinese qigong masters, and countless women and overlooked teachers have grown body awareness for thousands of years. The modern Western field often centers white, male innovators, but the true history is far more diverse.

See our Who page to learn about overlooked voices and respectful perspectives.

Somatic Sex Education (SSE) is a body-based educational approach to sexuality that teaches being in your body, pleasure, consent, and arousal awareness through direct body experience. It may include touch, breathing exercises, movement, and sensory awareness exercises.

SSE is educational, not therapeutic or sexual. Teachers use one-way touch (teacher to client only) to teach about anatomy, sensation, and arousal patterns.

See our In SSE page for detailed information and how to find qualified teachers.

Safety: Ethical SSE teachers prioritize informed consent, clear contracts, trauma-aware practice, and professional boundaries.

If you're considering SSE:

• Research teachers' credentials and professional organizations (ACSB, SSEA)
• Ask detailed questions about boundaries, consent, and approach
• Trust your gut feelings about safety
• Know you can stop at any time

See our In SSE page for detailed safety guidelines.

Finding a qualified somatic teacher depends on what type of practice you're looking for. Here are some starting points:

• Somatic Experiencing: SEI Practitioner Directory
• Feldenkrais Method: Feldenkrais Guild Directory
• Alexander Technique: AmSAT Teacher Directory
• Somatic Psychotherapy: USABP Therapist Directory
• Somatic Sex Education: ACSB Directory | SSEA Directory

If you're in Los Angeles: The creator of this website, Donavon Lerman, offers somatic education sessions integrating awareness practices, movement, and healing touch. He is a Certified Somatic Sex Educator in training with additional certifications in sexological bodywork and the Wheel of Consent. Learn more about working with Donavon →

What to look for: Find teachers with formal training, professional certifications, clear ethical guidelines, and trauma-aware approaches. Trust your intuition about whether someone feels like the right fit for you.