How somatic exercises can benefit you
by Rhys Martin on Sunday 13 October 2024
3 min read
Benefits of somatic exercises
Ever wondered why some elite athletes seem to glide around the field or court effortlessly, while others work overtime to keep up? Well, part of it is down to somatic movement. Put simply, somatic movement is about mind-body connection. It’s a form of mindful exercise where your balance, tension and breathing matter just as much as exertion.
While you may not be representing Australia as an athlete, you can still benefit from somatic exercises for weight loss, general health and wellbeing. Let's explore what somatic exercises are and the types of somatic workouts you can try to get started.
Firstly, what are somatic exercises?
Somatic exercises are workouts that help you focus on how you feel. The idea is to become more mindful, focusing on how your body is feeling instead of a specific goal, such as finishing your 10km run. Common somatic exercises include Yoga and Pilates.
In theory, any exercise could be a somatic workout, as long as you’re focusing on your whole body – as opposed to simply running, lifting or punching.
Now, let’s explore some of the benefits of somatic exercises.
It can help you feel more relaxed
Studies show that Yoga, a common somatic exercise, helps you relax by slowing your breathing and lowering you heart rate. This reduces your cortisol (stress hormone) by taking your body out of fight-or-flight mode.
The next time you have a stressful day, instead of trying to run off that frustration, you might like to think somatically and explore the calming effects of Yoga instead. New to Yoga? Read this article to help figure out which Yoga class is best for you.
It can help you become more in touch with your emotions
Evidence shows a link between emotional wellbeing and physical pain. Think about a stressful time in your life: did it coincide with a sore back, shoulder or knee? It turns out, making wellbeing your number one priority and being in touch with your emotions can help relieve pain. Somatic workouts such as Vinyasa and Yin Yoga are great for connecting with your inner self.
If you’re noticing stress, anxiety and pain (not caused by an injury) creeping into your life, it might be best to speak with your GP.
It can increase flexibility and mobility
Partly by the nature of exercises such as Yoga, Pilates and stretching, but also because of a better mind-body connection, somatic workouts are great for improving flexibility and mobility. For example, adding stretches to your somatic exercise plan can help improve your range of motion, increase circulation, promote muscle recovery and reduce stress.
Add somatic exercise to your workout and move with full-body awareness
As we’ve discussed, you can improve any workout by taking a somatic approach. To help you get started, try a workout that has somatic exercise built-in, such as Yoga. Virgin Active has a range of Yoga classes to suit everybody. Discover our classes and improve your mind-body connection today.
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