What is somatic facilitation and how does it work?

  • Article written by Alexandra Cozma

Published: 08.11.2024

In an age where we are constantly seeking a balance between mind and body, somatic facilitation has become a topic of interest for more and more people wanting to understand and heal their own bodies. If you've heard this term and had a moment of "Hmm, what could that be?", know that you're not alone. So let's delve into the fascinating world of somatic facilitation together and discover how this process works and why it can radically change the way we feel and interact with ourselves and others.

Contents:

  • What exactly is somatic facilitation?

  • How does somatic facilitation work?

  • Why choose somatic facilitation?

  • What is the Energy Body?

  • What is the Spiritual Body?

  • Conclusion

1. What exactly is somatic facilitation?

At the heart of somatic facilitation is the idea that our body is more than just a vehicle that carries us through the day. It stores emotions, traumas, experiences and memories that our mind could have repressed, but which the body keeps faithfully "recorded". Thus, somatic facilitation becomes a process by which we can learn to communicate with our own body, listen to what it has to say and allow it to release tensions and blockages.
Unlike classical therapy approaches that focus on words, somatic facilitation is based on movement, breath, vibration and body awareness. This allows access to deep levels of healing that are rarely reached through mental introspection alone.

2. How does somatic facilitation work?

Imagine that somatic facilitation is a guide that helps you navigate the "map" of your body. This can help you regain control of your body and identify places where old emotions, pain or tension are stuck. Somatic facilitation encourages you to explore all these hidden corners of your body through a series of exercises that may include:
  1. Conscious Breathing – We learn to breathe deeply and consciously, bringing attention to how air enters and exits our body. By breathing consciously, we create space to release tension and calm the nervous system.

  2. Free Movement – ​​Sometimes all the body needs is free, fluid movement to allow it to express itself and release built-up stress. In somatic facilitation, there are no hard and fast rules – just the invitation to let the body move naturally, releasing trapped energies. Here, dancing can also come in (Twerk Somatics).

  3. Body Awareness – Through body scanning techniques, we learn to become aware of every part of our body and the emotions that can be associated with each specific place.

  4. Vibration and vocal release – For some, somatic facilitation may even include sounds and vibrations. Emitting a deep sound, for example, can vibrate in unison with certain tense parts of the body, relaxing them and allowing for genuine emotional release.

  5. Grounding and connecting to the present – ​​Somatic facilitation teaches you to live in the present moment, let go of the past and future, and focus on what you feel here and now.

  6. Precise movement for TRE release
    In the TRE method (Tension Release Exercises), precise and controlled movements trigger the body's natural tremor, facilitating the release of stress and tension accumulated deep in the tissues. Through these guided exercises, the body learns to reactivate its natural relaxation and healing mechanisms, while strengthening a sense of inner security and stability.

3. Why choose somatic facilitation?

What makes this practice so appealing and effective is its ability to integrate mind and body into complete harmony. It's not just about physical relaxation, it's about reconnecting with yourself at the deepest level. Through somatic facilitation, you not only learn to relax, but also discover the root causes of stress, anxiety or even chronic pain. It's like having access to your own personal "user manual".
In addition, somatic facilitation does not require a universal method. Each session is unique and tailored to your current needs. Sometimes you may have an emotional release, other times just a feeling of deep peace. What is certain is that each experience will bring you one step closer to truly understanding yourself and listening to your body.

4. Somatic Facilitation: A Choice for the Brave

Somatic facilitation is not an easy path, but it is an extremely rewarding one for those who are willing to know themselves beyond the surface. If you feel the time has come to truly explore who you are and what you have to release, this practice may be the answer. At the end of the day, it's about regaining your inner freedom and living in harmony with yourself.
Somatic facilitation is a gift for those who want to release, feel alive and connected. If you feel ready to begin the journey, then it's clear: somatic facilitation could be the thing that will transform you.

The Differences Between the Energy Body and the Spiritual Body: A Somatic Approach through Inca Shamanic Culture and Traditional Thai Massage

In the field of somatic and holistic healing, our physical body is only one part of our larger being. In addition to the physical body, we have the energy body and the spiritual body, each contributing differently to our health, well-being and development. By understanding the differences and relationships between these bodies, we can access a deeper state of awareness, balance and divine connection.

5. What is the Energy Body?

The energy body is the subtle structure through which vital energy flows. This energy concept is found in several healing traditions, including Royal Thai massage, where therapists work with "10 energy lines" (Sen Sib) to release energy blockages. These lines are invisible channels through which energy moves through the body, and which, when stimulated correctly, can bring about a state of inner harmony and vitality.


During Royal Thai massage, pressure is used to stimulate these lines, releasing blocked energy and allowing the body to deeply relax and regenerate. This stimulation of the energy lines not only improves the flow of energy, but also contributes to a mental and emotional shift, helping the individual to reconsider their perspectives and adopt a more open and flexible mindset.


This release of the energy body helps people clarify their vision of life and realign their goals and values, bringing them closer to a meaningful existence. Massage also helps improve work flow as the mind becomes clearer and energy flows more freely, eliminating tension and stress that can hinder efficiency and creativity.

6. What is the Spiritual Body?

The spiritual body, in contrast, is our deep connection to the sacred dimension of existence. In Inca shamanic culture, the spiritual body represents our connection to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the cosmos. It is the part of us that transcends physical and energetic existence, being the channel through which we access universal wisdom and spiritual guidance.


In the Inca tradition, the spiritual body is seen as a portal to a higher reality that allows us to enter into relationship with spirits and connect to the source of life. This spiritual connection nourishes us not only emotionally, but also energetically, helping us feel a sense of belonging and love that transcends the boundaries of physical existence.

7. Connection between the Spiritual Body and the Fascia

An essential aspect in understanding the spiritual body is its connection to fascia, the connective tissue that interconnects every part of the body. The fascia is a subtle channel that supports energy flow, and when worked through Thai massage, the body becomes more open to higher vibrations and more receptive to spiritual energy. By expanding the fascia through specific techniques, such as stretches and pressures applied along the energy lines, the body can open further to a state of deep spiritual awareness.


This fascial expansion not only stabilizes our physical and energetic structure, but also expands our awareness, connecting us more deeply with our divine essence. Along this journey of expansion and release, we feel a stronger connection with what many call God, experiencing deep love and clarity.

8. The Differences and Interconnection between the Energy Body and the Spiritual Body

In short, the energy body helps us maintain inner balance and protect us from external influences. It ensures a fluid structure and internal adaptability, and in Thai massage, working with energy lines facilitates an optimal flow of energy, eliminating tensions. Instead, the spiritual body brings us into contact with the essential aspects of life and being, enabling a deep connection with the divine.


The integration of these two bodies allows us to live a life where we are both anchored in the present and open to the mystery of existence. As we work with the energy body and spirit body, releasing tension in the fascia and stimulating energy lines, we open to a more authentic life experience full of clarity and peace.

9. Conclusion

Understanding and integrating the energy body and the spiritual body offers us a profound opportunity to evolve towards inner balance and expanded awareness. Through the practice of Thai massage and connecting with Inca shamanic traditions, we free ourselves from inner tensions, open ourselves to an authentic spiritual connection and can live a life guided by consciousness and divine love. This process transforms the way we perceive and experience life, positively impacting the mind, body and spirit.

"Somatic therapy with Alexandra opened my eyes to the importance of body awareness. It helped me release emotional blockages that I didn't even know I had in my body. Now I feel more balanced and connected to my own body"

- Claudia M.

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About Alexandra, Author of the Article

Alexandra Cozma is a somatic facilitator specializing in somatic release through movement, Thai massage and TRE™.
With a huge appetite for life and adventure, Alexandra chose this path since 2017, when she first started to study therapeutic massage and its effects on the body and mind with Corina Fizesi, in Cluj.


From then until now, her hands and guidance have guided the people she has worked with to a place of truth and inner cleanliness.
As of 2024, after a year and a half spent in Thailand, the techniques she offers also include manual maneuvers inspired by her year-long studies of Thai massage on the island of Koh Phangan.


Alexandra's intention is to help people physically reconnect with their ideal form and express themselves in the most authentic way possible. In both 1-on-1 and larger group work, authentically expressed truth in whatever visible form remains at the core of her work.