The Wellness Inspired Podcast
The Wellness Inspired Podcast
Weekly Wellness Watch: Somatic Exercise, Reconnect Your Body and Mind
I am excited to introduce our new segment, Weekly Wellness Watch. We'll kick things off by exploring the buzz around somatic exercise, inspired by Emma-Jade Stoddart's article in Glamour, "What is Somatic Exercise and How Can it Boost Your Wellbeing? Reconnecting Your Mind and Body." Join me in discovering how these practices enhance the mind-body connection, a core pillar of holistic wellness. We'll delve into physical and mental health benefits and how somatic movements differ from traditional exercises like yoga. Whether you're new to somatics or seeking deeper understanding, this episode offers insights for your wellness journey. Tune in to inspire your path to holistic health and self-discovery.
SHOW NOTES:
Linktree: [@sheridavidson | Linktree](https://linktr.ee/sheridavidson)
Join The Wellness Inspired community:
https://www.wellnessinspiredpodcast.com/newsletter
Facebook: [The Wellness Inspired Podcast - Home](https://www.facebook.com/wellnessinspiredpodcast)
Instagram: [Sheri Davidson, L.Ac. (@wellness_inspired) • Instagram photos and videos](https://www.instagram.com/wellness_inspired/)
LinkedIn: [Sheri Davidson - Chief Wellness Officer - Element 5 OM, Acupuncture + Wellness | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-davidson/)
Element 5, Acupuncture + Wellness
www.element5om.com
Facebook: [Element 5, Acupuncture + Wellness - Home](https://www.facebook.com/element5om/?ref=pages_you_manage)
Instagram: [Sheri Davidson (@element5_acuwell) on Instagram • 145 photos and videos](https://www.instagram.com/element5_acuwell/)
LinkIn: [Sheri Davidson - Chief Wellness Officer - Element 5 OM, Acupuncture + Wellness | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-davidson/)
Listen to more episodes: https://www.wellnessinspiredpodcast.com
Wellness Riverboat Cruise
Magna On The Danube: https://www.amawaterways.com/destination/europe-river-cruises/2025/magna-on-the-danube
AmaMagna: https://youtu.be/23-5Qy3skM0
AmaMagna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM1GHLA2EF4
Tami Hiroka
281.336.7374
contact@fresitravels.com
Hi Wellness Warriors. Welcome back to another episode of the Wellness Insp inspired podcast, a place where you can find inspiration, motivation and empowerment in the pursuit of a wellness lifestyle. I'm your host, sherry Davidson. I'm a wellness coach, acupuncturist, trail runner and former interior designer in Houston, texas, and I am deeply passionate about health and wellbeing. And, as always, I'm here with my co-host, finn. And if you're new to the podcast, finn is my Terrier, mix Rescue Dog, trail runner and loyal companion. He is also a therapy dog and greeter at Element 5, acupuncture and Wellness.
Speaker 1:I don't know about all of you, but this year has been a year of challenges and setbacks for me, more than any other year that I can remember. You know I normally have ups and downs, just like everybody else, but collectively and individually, this year has been a nutcase of a year and it has been big stuff. The most recent, my mom was in the hospital having major surgery. She gets out, we get her home settled in. I was going to take the weekend 4th of July weekend to just catch my breath, relax a little bit, and then hit it hard on Monday. Well, guess what? Hurricane Beryl came rolling through Houston, leaving two plus million people without power, me included, but thankfully I was without power for about a day and a half, where some people were without power for almost two weeks. So I feel for all of you guys. It was super hot in Houston and it was really, really miserable. So, to everyone who experienced it, I hope you are all with power and recovering from the storm and now maybe, just maybe, I can get back on track. But let's be really quiet about it. So, staying positive, moving forward.
Speaker 1:And today I want to introduce weekly wellness watch to you. It's not weekly yet, but the idea is to grow into a weekly episode. So this will be fun and current and in this segment we will dive into the vibrant world of holistic health and wellness. We'll explore the latest trends, uncover transformative ideas and get candid about what truly supports real wellness versus what's driven by clever marketing. Together, we'll navigate these insights with the blend of playful controversy and genuine inspiration, empowering your path to authentic well-being.
Speaker 1:And in the first episode of Weekly Wellness Watch, we are going to talk about a trending topic that is making waves in the wellness community somatic exercises. This discussion is inspired by an insightful article from Glamour Magazine titled what is Somatic Exercises and how Can it Boost your Wellbeing. What is somatic exercises and how can it boost your wellbeing? Reconnecting mind and body. And it was reconnecting your mind and body part of the title that drew me into the article to read more. So we're going to discuss how this practice enhances mind-body connection, a core pillar of holistic wellness, which I need to do an episode on. Also, we'll dive into the physical and mental health benefits and how somatic movements differ from traditional exercises like yoga. So join me as we navigate this exciting topic and empower your journey to authentic wellness.
Speaker 1:But first, before we get started, I have some great news to share with all of you. For those avid listeners who have tuned into the podcast over the past year, you have likely caught wind of the Wellness River Cruise. Well, friends, the moment has arrived. Mark your calendars for April the 20th 2025, as we set sail on an unforgettable seven-night cruise along the Danube River. We'll traverse the picturesque landscape of Austria, germany, hungary and Slovakia. Prepare for many active sightseeing adventures, including invigorating hikes, scenic bike rides and even a few brisk runs, maybe Alongside these activities, indulge in the serenity of yoga sessions, engage in enlightening wellness discussions and savor the flavors of locally sourced cuisine. Excitement is already brewing, as several enthusiasts have secured their spots, and for those intrigued, I'll put the link in the show notes. And if you're certain, this wellness river cruise is calling your name, waste no time in securing your place on board.
Speaker 1:Riverboat cruises tend to fill up rapidly, which is why we shifted the dates to next year instead of this year. So don't think about it too long. Seize the opportunity while you can. In episodes 63 and 64, a Journey of Wellness and Wonder on the Danube with Ammo Waterways, I had the pleasure of having Laurie, a representative from Ammo Waterways, and Tammy, a seasoned travel concierge on the podcast, to discuss the full river cruise experience. So feel free to check out those episodes for more information. And this all has to happen quickly. I can't express that enough. I know the cruise is a year from now, but there are only 129 cabins on the boat and they sell out quickly. So if you're interested, I recommend putting your deposit down quickly. It's not a lot to hold your spot. Okay, let's dive into today's episode of the Wellness Inspired Podcast.
Speaker 1:What is somatic exercise and how can it boost your wellbeing? First, I have to admit that I didn't know much about somatic exercises at first. It only started to sound familiar. When I dug deeper In Oriental medical school, I learned about the Feldenkrais method. It was created by Moshi Feldenkrais in the 1930s. He developed this mind-body exercise therapy to overcome a knee injury and through his journey of self-rehabilitation he discovered that, reorganizing the brain-body connection, this could improve both movement and psychological states. Okay, so, for example, if you're in pain, especially chronic pain, you create neural pathways that basically keep you in this pain loop, and the idea is, if you can break these neural pathways, you can interrupt the pain signals, improving movement and psychological states. Pretty cool, right? I'm actually dealing with plantar fasciitis right now and I'm thinking maybe I came across somatic exercises for a reason. So I will be experimenting a little bit with some somatic exercises or the Feldenkrais method. But, like most trends, somatic exercises have been around for a while. I mean, this has been around since the 1930s, but now making it into a broader public eye. So let me just summarize what a somatic exercise is.
Speaker 1:Exercise is Somatic. Exercise is a movement practice that focus on the internal perception of the body, emphasizing how it feels rather than how it looks. Unlike traditional workouts, which often focus on reps and results, somatics is about exploring movement, fostering autonomy and reconnecting the brain to the body. Now you're probably wondering what are the benefits of somatic exercises. Well, according to experts like Francesca Melaluzzi and Gabriela Espinosa, somatic exercises can improve muscular pain, fibromyalgia and arthritis. They also support digestion, hormones and sleep. And on the mental health front, somatic exercises can help relieve anxiety, depression and stress by promoting emotional regulation and relieving chronic conditions. Sounds pretty exciting, doesn't it? So your next question because I can read your mind is how does it work? Well, during a somatic movement session, you'll engage in small, intentional movements, often performed slowly and with eyes closed.
Speaker 1:This practice increases awareness of your body's needs and helps release tension. So, for example, exercises like body scan, wash, rag and arch and flatten are simple yet effective ways to start, and some of these I think the arch and flatten can be very similar to like a cat cow in yoga, but I think they're all the somatic exercises that are done on the floor, and so you're basically just lifting your, your, arching your back and then flattening it out Very similar to the movement of cat cow, but just done on your back, which leads us right into somatic. Versus other exercises, especially like yoga, somatic movement is often compared to yoga, but it differs, and that its emphasis is on physical sensations and emotional explorations. It's about listening to your body and understanding its signals rather than striving for a specific posture or form. So in yoga, you're following an instructor and they are guiding you through a series of postures. When you do somatic exercises, you are focused internally on your body and what you're feeling and you're moving to your own, the beat of your own drum. I guess I could say it like that. Yeah, you're just kind of moving to what feels good emotionally and physically. So there is not a routine made out for you that you're following and and and you know, the person next to you could be doing something totally different. So that's the big difference between somatic versus yoga.
Speaker 1:And let's just talk a little bit more about the mind-body connection. You know, because I love somatic exercises for their ability to unite the mind and body, because that's such a crucial pillar of our health and wellness and on your holistic health journey, fostering this connection is essential. It's essential because it allows you to nurture every facet of your wellbeing. And somatic exercises are not the only way to do this. You can also do this with techniques like breathing. I still feel like yoga is a great place to explore this as well. Meditation is another one, so that mindfulness I talk a lot about where you're sitting in your body and reconnecting with your body. Also, guided imagery all of this can awaken your body's natural healing abilities and reduce stress. So when your mind and body are in harmony, you become more tuned with your needs, desires and aspirations as well, enhancing your overall wellbeing and life performance. So, yes, I love that somatic exercises are out as a trend right now, because it's just another way to get people in their bodies. And once you get in your body, then you can start to pay attention and listen and you're on your path to becoming a healthier, more vital person.
Speaker 1:Just a few more final thoughts as we wrap this up. I want to talk a little bit about my perspective on trends. This won't be the first time you hear this, especially as we grow the weekly wellness watch. But new exercise trends bring a sense of adventure, excitement and community, and novelty is an excellent motivator. But remember, trends come and go. The most important thing is to keep moving and find what works for you. There is no one size fits all solution. The key is consistency and enjoyment. So my final final thought here before I wrap it up, I love the idea of somatic exercises. Anything, any practice that we can do to strengthen our relationship between our body and mind, you can only benefit from it. So I approve of somatic exercises, trend or no trend. Whether you're new to somatics or looking to deepen your mind body connection, this practice offers a unique path to holistic health. So embrace the exploration and let it guide you to a more aware and connected self.
Speaker 1:If you like what you hear, please subscribe to the podcast and share with your family and friends. You can also give me a rating and review. Wherever you listen to your podcast, it helps others find me as well. To get updates on new episodes and wellness inspiration in your inbox, please join the wellness inspired community. Go to the wellness inspired podcastcom to sign up. I'll put the link to the website in the show notes so you can click and join. Also, there's a Facebook community at the wellness inspired and you can follow me on Instagram at wellness underscore inspired.
Speaker 1:If you're in the Houston area or just visiting and interested in our services acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, zen, shiatsu or dry needling therapy contact us. You can find out more on our website at element5omcom. That's element5, the number five omcom and again, I'll put the link in the show notes. If you're interested in health and wellness coaching, we can connect in the clinic or on zoom. Reach out to us and we'll get you on the schedule. And, as always, I would love to hear your feedback. I am dedicated to bringing you great content that is inspiring and informative, with an artsy, fun, edgy spin. Thank you so much for listening. We'll meet here again next time and remember, never stop exploring, learning, loving and being you Bye.