Two years ago, I made the decision to enroll in the IWA Integrative Somatic Practitioner certification program. My initial reason for enrolling was to help myself (and others) with physical symptoms and issues that weren’t going away, despite medical care and attention.

But what I learned in the program, and what I’ve experienced in the two years since, has been very different from what I expected.

What I Thought Would Change

Honestly, when I completed the program, I thought the biggest impact would be in my work.

And in the beginning, that was true. I worked with clients who were experiencing physical symptoms that didn’t seem to resolve even with traditional medical care. Through somatic work, we started to understand how interconnected everything is - mind, body, emotions, and sprit - and how what’s happening physically is often tied to what’s happening internally.

A big part of my work became helping clients create more balance across all of those areas.

What Actually Changed

Over time, my work shifted. I moved away from 1:1 client work and started focusing more on digital products and education.

Eventually, I stopped working with clients altogether, but I kept using the tools I had learned on myself.

And that’s where things really started to change.

Over the last couple of years (and especially in the last few months), those tools have become second nature. And my day-to-day life feels very different than it used to.

My Life Now Feels… Lighter

Personally, professionally, physically - everything just feels lighter.

I feel more present. More at ease and at peace. And at the same time, more engaged in my life.

My Relationships Feel Better

This is probably the biggest change I’ve noticed.

My relationships, especially with my family, feel a lot easier.

I used to overthink, try to fix things, and carry a lot of emotional weight when it came to family dynamics. It would take up a lot of my energy.

Now, things feel lighter. I don’t get pulled in the same way. I have more patience, and I don’t feel as consumed by it.

My Mental and Emotional Load Is So Much Lighter

I don’t ruminate or replay things the same way anymore.

I don’t feel the need to constantly figure things for myself or other people. I don't worry about the future as much anymore. Things that used to scare me don’t as much anymore.

I feel more free and present in my day-to-day life, and it honestly feels incredible. Like a weight I didn’t even fully realize I was carrying has been lifted.

Why I Think This Happened

I think a lot of this comes from how ingrained somatic practices have become for me.

I don’t even think about it really, but when something is bothering me, I take the time to do what feels right, either:

noticing tension in my body and releasing it
breathing differently when I feel overwhelmed
paying attention to what’s happening in my body
creating a little more space between a trigger and my reaction

All of these different practices and ways of shifting my energy has compounded over time to create these positive changes in my day to day life.

Why IWA Was Worth It for Me

What made the IWA program worth it wasn’t just learning all the somatic tools (which were incredibly helpful) but it was understanding how and when to use them and the overall framework that they fall under.

You can find somatic tools online, but without context or a framework, it’s hard to apply them in a way that actually creates lasting change.

IWA gave me both:

a solid understanding of how everything connects
and a practical way to apply that understanding in real life

It helped me build a foundation that I still use every day, whether in my own life or in my work.

If You’re Considering IWA

If you’re thinking about enrolling, it’s a very flexible program that is self-paced and easy to fit into your routine.

I was working part-time while completing it and was able to finish in about 2–3 months by doing modules in the mornings and evenings.

The program covers topics like:

Mind-body connection
Nervous system regulation
Stress response and tools
Anatomy and kinesiology
Somatic techniques
Business and working with clients

If you’re considering IWA for your own healing or wellbeing (in addition to helping clients heal themselves), it’s an incredible program for that, because as we know, when we heal ourselves, we want to help others heal themselves as well. If you have any questions about the program or want to chat virtually about it, I’m happy to chat. Feel free to get in touch. And if you do end up enrolling, you can use code LISA for $50 enrollment.

Here’s to healing - it is so possible for you!