My Personal Journey to Embodiment Through Somatic Movement

Throughout my life, I navigated the world with a set of coping mechanisms born from childhood traumas and challenging experiences. These strategies—dissociation, people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-abandonment, and hypervigilance—initially served as protective shields, but ultimately took a significant toll on my nervous system and body. Despite many years of therapy and counseling, true healing remained elusive until I discovered the transformative power of somatic movement.

The Missing Piece in My Healing Journey

My introduction to Living Somatics marked a pivotal moment in my path toward wholeness. The profound insight that "healing cannot fully take place until you are present and whole in yourself, in your body – to be embodied" resonated deeply with me. This realization set me on a path to reconnect with my body and internal experiences, a journey that has been both challenging and profoundly rewarding.

Learning to be fully present in my body has been nothing short of life-changing. The principles that guide somatic movement have been instrumental in this process of reconnection and healing.

Learning Instead of Focusing on Goals

One of the fundamental concepts in somatic practice is shifting attention from end results to the process of movement itself. For someone like me, accustomed to striving for perfection and anticipating potential problems, this approach was revolutionary. It allowed me to release the pressure of expectations and simply explore my body's capabilities without judgment.

Rather than pushing toward a predetermined outcome, I learned to value the experience of movement itself. This principle invited me to drop the harsh inner critic and embrace curiosity instead—a welcome relief from the perfectionistic patterns that had governed so much of my life.

Embracing Newness for Heightened Awareness

The principle of "Learning through Newness" has been particularly impactful in my practice. By continually introducing novel movements and situations, somatic practice maintains a state of heightened awareness that prevents my mind from falling into habitual patterns.

This newness has been crucial in breaking free from the freeze response that had become my default state—a remnant of past traumas. When movement becomes an exploration rather than a routine, my nervous system remains engaged and present, actively participating rather than shutting down or going through the motions.

The Counterintuitive Power of Release

"Appreciate the Release" and "Effortlessness" are two principles that have been instrumental in addressing the chronic tension and pain I've experienced. Learning to release muscles—an action opposite to the contraction I had grown accustomed to—has been challenging but rewarding.

Similarly, the focus on reducing effort has allowed me to develop a more refined sense of my body's movements, both in the core and limbs. This newfound awareness has been key in developing better self-regulation and movement control, especially since I've learned that I may have hypermobility issues.

I am not always aware of my limitations. Somatic practice has allowed me to slow down and appreciate my body's boundaries, even if I can't completely perceive them. I can trust that doing less is often more—a concept that runs counter to our culture's "no pain, no gain" mentality.

Embracing Change & Ordinary Movement

The concept of "Appreciation of Change" has been a powerful tool in my healing journey. Rather than fixating on specific outcomes, I've learned to value the subtle shifts and changes in my body. Though not always easy to come to terms with as a perfectionist uncomfortable with change, this principle aligns beautifully with the idea of "Appreciate Ordinary Movement."

This approach has helped me rediscover joy in simple actions and fostered a more positive relationship between my body and mind. There is profound wisdom in honoring the everyday movements that give us life—sitting, standing, walking, reaching—rather than only valuing extraordinary physical feats.

Finding Freedom Through Exploration

"Explore Instead of Reproducing Actions" has been particularly liberating. This principle encourages a return to the innate curiosity and exploratory nature we possess as children. For someone who spent years trying to conform and anticipate others' needs, rediscovering this "explorer spirit" has been transformative, not just in movement practice but in all aspects of my life.

Somatic movement has allowed me to grant myself the permission to be free. I didn't get much time to be a kid growing up, but through this practice, I've reconnected with that childlike sense of wonder and play that is essential to true healing.

Trusting My Body's Intelligence

The principle of "Trust Your Body's Ability to Organize Itself" has been a powerful antidote to my tendency to control and force outcomes. Though foreign at times, learning to be gentle with difficult movements and allowing my body to naturally organize itself has been a profound lesson in self-trust and patience.

Similarly, "Find Where Movement is Easily Possible" and "Play with Movement Initiation" have been crucial in addressing the physical manifestations of my past traumas. These principles have taught me to listen to my body, to honor its limits, and to explore different ways of initiating and experiencing movement. This has been particularly helpful in addressing the physical patterns associated with being stuck in freeze mode and chronic pain.

The perfectionist parts of me might protest, but playing with movements has allowed a quieting that I have never experienced before.

Finding My Path Forward

Through the practice of these principles, I've slowly been able to return to my body, stifle dissociation, and become more aware of when it is happening and return to myself. I've released long-held tensions, regained sensory-motor awareness, and developed greater self-understanding, self-awareness, self-appreciation, and self-compassion.

This journey has not only facilitated my personal healing but has also ignited a passion to share these transformative practices with others. As someone who has always felt called to contribute positively to the world, I now see somatic movement as my path to helping others heal.

My personal experiences with chronic pain, complex PTSD, relational traumas, and trapped emotions have given me a deep empathy for those struggling with similar issues. By becoming certified to teach somatic movement, I hope to guide others on their journey to embodiment, offering the same compassion, love, and transformative potential that Living Somatics has brought to my life.

The principles of somatic movement have provided me with a roadmap for healing and self-discovery. They have taught me to approach movement—and life—with curiosity, gentleness, and awareness. They have brought me back to myself and shifted me forever.

I am so appreciative that I now have a practice that will accompany me through the rest of my life. As I continue this path of somatic exploration and prepare to share these practices with others, I am filled with gratitude for the profound impact these principles have had on my life and excited for the opportunity to facilitate similar transformations in others.

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Amanda Young is a certified Living Somatic Movement Teacher based in Clarksville, TN. She offers both in-person and virtual sessions to help others reconnect with their bodies and discover the freedom that comes through embodied awareness. Learn more about working with Amanda here.

Have you experienced disconnection from your body? Are you curious about how somatic movement might support your healing journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below or contact me to learn more about upcoming classes and offerings.