What Is a Somatic Practitioner? (And Could This Be Part of Your Path?)

To be honest, I didn’t really know what somatic work was previously. It sounded “woo woo” and I thought it was mainly breathwork, so I didn’t give it much thought.

When I became sick two years ago, and everything traditional I tried wasn’t helping, I decided to seek out a somatic practitioner, and through my experience, I realized: somatic work was definitely more than just breathwork, it wasn’t “woo woo” and it was actually very powerful (but also simple).

Whether you’re curious about somatics for your own well-being or you’re exploring it as a possible next step in your career or life, this post breaks down what a somatic practitioner actually does - and how to know if this work might be something you want to look into.

“Somatic” Isn’t Just One Thing

The word somatic simply means “relating to the body.” But in practice, somatic work can look a hundred different ways, especially depending on who you work with.

It might include:

  • Learning how your body responds to stress or threat, and how these can be very unique to each person

  • Noticing where you hold tension (and why)

  • Noticing how thoughts and emotions impact the physical body

  • Gaining tools to move through discomfort or emotions more gently

  • Finding ways to soften the body

  • Reconnecting with signals like hunger, fatigue, or intuition

Some somatic practitioners use movement or breath. Some work with stillness and body awareness. Others use more of a somatic touch or tapping technique. It’s really not about fixing anything - it’s about tuning in and working with what your body is telling you. in other words, it’s about bringing in the body (and everything that it holds) into the conversation (instead of focusing primarily on the mind).

What a Somatic Practitioner Actually Does

A somatic practitioner helps people build awareness, capacity, and resilience - using the body as the entry point.

They don’t diagnose (super important to note). They’re not there to analyze or interpret. Instead, they offer tools, presence, and support so that you (or your client) can begin to feel a little more grounded, more connected, and more choiceful in how you respond to life. They also teach and show you how everything is interconnected (how your thoughts/emotions/beliefs impact your body and vice versa)

Sessions might involve:

  • Gentle movement or posture adjustments

  • Body-based reflection (e.g., “what do you notice when you talk about that?”)

  • Tools to help release tension, calm the body, and notice how that impacts thoughts

  • Feeling where tension and sensations lie and helping to track those sensations

  • Guided visualization techniques

  • Supporting someone to stay with a sensation or emotion for a few more seconds than usual - without pushing (this is what helped me tremendously)

It sounds simple. But over time, this kind of work can change the way people relate to themselves in a really deep, powerful way.

You Don’t Have to Be a Therapist to Do This Work

One of the biggest myths I had was that you had to be a therapist, coach, or yoga teacher to study somatic work (and while some people do come from those backgrounds, not everyone does!)

Some people are drawn to this work because of their own healing experiences (like myself). Others want to integrate somatic tools into community care, teaching, parenting, or creative spaces.

You don’t need to have everything figured out (I didn’t!). Just a genuine interest in learning how to support others (and yourself) in a more embodied way - again bringing in your body’s “language” instead of relying solely on the mind.

Why I Chose to Study at IWA

When I was looking for a program, I wanted something robust (tools and techniques) but also education on the why.

I researched a few options, but ultimately found what I wanted in the Integrative Wellness Academy (IWA). Their program is trauma-informed, accessible, and extremely robust. I was able to apply their teachings to my own life right away, and deeply enjoyed going through the program at my own pace. In most of my work today, I incorporate somatics because it is often the missing link between someone feeling and getting better.

If you’re curious about somatic work, I would encourage you to check out IWA (feel free to use code LISA for $50 off your enrollment). I also wrote a blog post here - and if you have questions, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to share more about what my experience was like (and open to a virtual coffee date - just message me!)

Could This Be Part of Your Path?

You don’t need to know exactly where you’re going to start. If something in you feels drawn to this kind of work - whether as a personal practice, a career shift, your own healing or curiosity, or something in between - that’s worth paying attention to :)

It’s been one of the best investments of my life!

Lisa Tran