Somatic Self-Love
When we are in touch with our bodies, we are more likely to listen to what they have to say.
Self-Love Through Somatics
The term “somatic” refers to the body as a whole – tissues, muscle, sensations, emotions, feelings – our soma. And “self-love” refers to, well, love for oneself.
So what does somatic self-love mean? It means loving ourselves through our bodies—learning to inhabit our physical form with intention and care. And it starts with the breath.
When we take deep, belly breaths and allow our diaphragms to move freely, we are sending a message to our nervous system that it’s safe to relax.
We are telling our trauma adaptations that we are not in danger and that there is no need to generate stress hormones like cortisol.
This simple act of breath regulation can be a powerful tool for being with our trauma and regulating our nervous system.
But beyond the physical benefits, breathwork can also help us connect with our emotions and intuition.
When we are in touch with our bodies, we are more likely to listen to what they have to say.
We are more likely to trust our gut instinct and follow our heart’s desires. We are more likely to find true north—our personal compass that points us in the direction of our deepest truth.
From this place of connection and knowing, we can begin to practice self-love.
We can use somatic techniques like yoga, dance, or simple stretching to bring awareness to areas of tightness or tension.
We can massage our own feet or hands when we need physical touch. We can give ourselves permission to rest when we’re tired.
We can do whatever we need to do to meet our own needs—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Somatic self-love is a powerful tool for being with our trauma, regulating our nervous systems, and connecting with our deepest truth. It is an act that begins with the breath and encompasses the whole of who we are—body, mind, and spirit. When we practice somatic self-love, we open the door to a more fulfilling, joyful life.
For more information on Self-Love Ceremonials go here.
Artwork by Daniella Matutes