What is Somatic Body Work
It can be helpful to offer hands-on Body Work as part of my Somatic approach. Somatic Body Work focuses on this vital interaction between the mind and the body. The stories our mind tells our body are not always positive. Over time they can become so ingrained that the conscious mind is no longer aware of them. Instead, they manifest in bodily effects – a slumped posture, muscle contractions, irregular breathing or a short concentration span to name a few examples.
As a practising Bowen Technique Therapist for over 20 years, I have consistently witnessed the remarkable effectiveness of this gentle, somatic, hands-on therapy. It has the capacity to release deep-seated physical tension and contraction, while also supporting the resolution of emotional and physical trauma held in the body over time.
Gabor Maté, a leading voice in trauma and mind–body health, is a strong advocate of Bowen Technique, stating that “any modality that is as effective as Bowen should be more widely distributed.”
In my experience, Bowen works by helping to regulate the nervous system, particularly when it has become out of balance or stuck in a chronic fight-or-flight response, allowing the body to return to a state of safety, repair, and ease.
“The mind is like the wind and the body like the sand: if you want to see how the wind is blowing, you can look at the sand.”
Bonnie Bainbridge
