What Is Somatic Shaking?

Hi,

I'm Emma.

I'm a yoga teacher and a sound artist.

And in this short video,

I wanted to introduce you to somatic shaking.

So it's a really simple movement practice that helps you release tension,

Shift stagnant energy,

Shift that stuck energy and come back into your body.

So somatic simply means of the body.

So instead of trying to think your way out of stress or heaviness or restlessness or overwhelm,

Somatic shaking,

It kind of invites you to move through what you're feeling rather than it just kind of all living in your head.

The best part,

There's no wrong or right way to practice this.

You don't need to be flexible.

You don't need to be good at dancing.

You don't need to look graceful.

I certainly don't.

And you just simply stand or sit if that feels better and let your body shake,

Sway,

Bounce,

Stretch or move in whatever way feels natural.

So this kind of movement can be really helpful for when you're feeling tense or disconnected or like your energy's gone flat.

Sometimes the body just needs a way to shift that stagnant energy through the body.

So you can keep the movements very small and subtle or you can go bigger.

It all depends on how you're feeling in the moment.

So what I love to do is put on a favorite piece of music.

So we all know how music can transport us into different feelings,

Different kind of energies.

And I think,

You know,

If we put something on that is really uplifting,

We will be probably more inclined to move our body and shake our body in really positive way.

We all know that when we listen to kind of sad music we can feel low but if we listen to kind of music with a good beat,

With a good rhythm.

Um,

I think that is a really great kind of tool in order to kind of support our somatic,

Somatic shaking.

And it's that old adage of like dance like no one's watching you.

There is no wrong or right way to do this.

All we're doing is moving our body.

We can do that seated by shaking and swaying,

Or we can do that standing and go for much bigger movements,

But enjoy the practice,

Put on your favorite music and dance like no one's watching.