Definition of “somatic” coaching
“Somatic” comes from the Greek word “soma” or “somatikos” which means “body” or concerning the whole body. The word evolved to its current form “somatic” which started in the late eighteenth century. “Coach” was derived from the German word “kotsche” which means carriage or to carry. Somatic Coaching revolves around the concept that what a person undergoes mentally, emotionally, and spiritually affects and manifests in the body. It recognizes the person as a whole, not just a physical human being, but as a tangible spirit who can think and feel.
Role of the somatic coach
The person who conducts somatic coaching (also known as a somatic coach) has experience in being able to talk and encourage people and help them improve on themselves. He/she assists clients in making them fully aware of themselves to promote healing and development. This is achieved through exercise routines that initiate a person’s knowledge and self-awareness of how the body and mind have a mutual effect on each other. He/she teaches clients through simple but careful instructions and demonstrations. Through these exercise routines, the somatic coach can recognize how these demonstrations affect him/her emotionally and can give him/her advice leading to his/her self-awareness.
Exercise routines in somatic coaching
Having a concise background on somatic coaching, this article tries to answer the question “what happens in somatic coaching?”. This method serves as therapy for clients which is achieved through certain exercises. The goal of these routines is to reach personal healing and improvement. Here are a few examples:
1. Recognition of one’s self (mind, heart, and body) – This usually occurs at the beginning of the session wherein a person is given instructions to surrender past negative thought and behaviors and give space for positive self-awareness
2. Breathing Exercises – a typical breathing exercise is usually applied when a person is undergoing a panic anxiety attack or when a person is in a frustrating situation that he/she needs to take control of. In contrast to somatic breathing, this kind of breathing method allows the person to take control of oneself and advise to reflect on what comes into their mind when performing the exercise and how it makes them feel.
3. Receptive Body Awareness – the concept of this exercise is similar to what was previously mentioned. This is a tactile method wherein the client is instructed to touch certain portions of the body and asked to reflect on how a certain part affects the mind and emotion.
4. Reflective Body Motions – this exercise requires a change in mindset to allow positive emotions to enter the body. Each movement is allowed to become associated with positive feelings (e.g. happiness, contentment, etc.)
In summary, somatic exercises are a form of physical and psychological therapy to increase self-consciousness. It brings together the person’s physical body, thoughts, and emotions through performing physical exercises (such as breathing, standing, stepping, etc.). It is integrative as it allows positive energy to permeate the being through tactile reception. With somatic coaching, the person is either the client or the teacher. The teacher learns and applies the concept to the client through instruction and demonstration; while, the client experiences the therapy.
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