Somatic Yoga: Everything You Need To Know
Let’s talk about Somatic Yoga…
“Somatic” comes from the Greek word soma, meaning “the living body.” In normal people speak? It means paying attention to what your body is feeling — from the inside out.
This Yoga style combines slow, mindful movements with deep body awareness. Think: less “power through your crow pose while holding your breath” and more “hmm, what exactly is my left hip trying to tell me today?”
It’s about rewiring your brain-body connection so you move with more ease, less pain, and way more grace than that time you tried rollerblading in the ’90s.
Why Women Over 40 Are Perfectly Poised to Rock Somatic Yoga
Look, after 40, your body starts sending you little Post-it notes every morning.
- “Your hamstrings called. They’re done.”
- “My neck, my back…ouch.”
- “Remember knees? Good times.”
- “Sorry, I can’t, don’t hate me.”…the only thing Carrie Bradshaw and I have in common.
And we’re busy! Careers, kids (grown or otherwise), relationships, LIFE, Bravo announcing four new shows. We don’t need another high-impact, sweaty, joint-punishing thing on our plates.
We need healing. And need strength that feels good. Also we need to listen to the wisdom our bodies have been trying to scream at us through every creaky ankle.
Somatic yoga helps:
✨ Release chronic tension (goodbye, tight hips!)
✨ Improve posture (hello, tall queen energy!)
✨ Increase flexibility without forcing anything
✨ Heal from old injuries (no more “I hurt my back sneezing” moments)
✨ Build resilience against new aches and pains sneaking up on us
It’s like giving your body a giant, deeply appreciative hug — every single session.
OK, I’m In. How Do I Start?
Love that for you. Here’s the game plan:
1. Find a Beginner-Friendly Class
Look for teachers who specialize in somatic yoga, somatic movement, or therapeutic yoga. Lots of them offer classes online (hello, pajamas) or in gentle studio settings (hello, cute yoga outfit excuse).
2. Embrace Slowness
If you’re used to pushing yourself at the gym or keeping up with the 25-year-old on TikTok doing handstands, this is going to feel…strangely slow at first.
Lean in. The slowness is where the magic (and the muscle memory reprogramming) happens.
3. Notice, Don’t Judge
Your mind will want to critique. (“Why does my right side move like a rusty shopping cart?”)
Instead, pretend you’re a gentle scientist studying your own body. No judgment. Just observation. Curiosity is key.
4. Consistency Beats Intensity
Five minutes a day? Great.
One hour once a week? Also great.
Just keep showing up for yourself — your nervous system will thank you, your spine will thank you, and eventually, even your ankles will send you a thank-you card.
Final Thought:
Somatic yoga isn’t about being perfect, bendy, or the star of your own Instagram reel. It’s about coming home to yourself, gently and lovingly — even if you have to dodge a few creaky knees and old sports injuries along the way.
Because honestly? We didn’t come all this way just to be sore all the time.
We came to feel good — inside and out.
Like this post? Check out this post on perimenopause…
