Why I Believe in Somatics

In 2015, I was introduced to Somatics. At the time, I was seeing an osteopath quite frequently to help relieve SI joint pain and back pain and, as a rider, to help me follow my horse’s movement more easily.

After years of training horses, I had experienced several falls and injuries, not to mention sports injuries from earlier in life. I had gotten into the habit of scheduling an appointment with my osteopath as close to a horse show as possible. I would also have my horse adjusted by a bodyworker before a show, so that we could both arrive feeling and moving at our best.

My osteopath began giving me Somatic movement exercises as part of my self-care. Eventually, he told me about an upcoming training that he thought I might be interested in. Knowing that I was a riding instructor, he thought learning Somatics would give me more tools to help not only myself, but also my students.

After attending a weekend workshop, I was convinced that this work was powerful and that everyone needed to know about it, not just horseback riders.

The real “aha” moment came when I went to my regular riding lesson after the workshop. My instructor immediately noticed a difference in my riding, particularly in my ability to place my leg in the correct position for certain aids, something I had been struggling with.

I was amazed that something that seemed so simple could have such a profound impact on both me and my horse.

When I was more balanced and moving with greater ease, my horse was also easier for the bodyworker to adjust. I wasn’t disrupting his balance as much with my own misalignment. It became even clearer to me how much influence the rider’s body can have on the horse.

That experience inspired me to enroll in the three-year Clinical Somatics training through Essential Somatics, which began in the fall of 2015.

During my training, I underwent surgery for a health issue. As I recovered, I was able to begin incorporating gentle Somatic movements into my routine. They gave me a way to reconnect with my body without asking too much of it while I healed.

Then, in 2021, I experienced a nasty fall when the horse I was riding spooked. I broke my ankle and required plates and screws.

From my very first day in the hospital, I was able to use a small, gentle Somatic movement to help keep my back from becoming tight and uncomfortable without bothering my ankle. Throughout my recovery, I continued to bring more movements into my routine as I progressed—from crutches, to a walking boot, and eventually to working toward regaining full movement in my ankle.

That ankle is still not quite the same as the other one due to the scar tissue. I am very thankful for Somatics, as even that small imbalance could have a much bigger impact on the way I stand, walk, and move than it does.

For me, Somatics isn’t just about recovering from an injury. I also think of it as a form of preventative self-care, taking care of my body every day and supporting freedom of movement for years to come.

Today, some of my favorite times to practice are after a workout, when I want to release any tension that has built up, or before bed, when I want to let go of the physical tension from the day. It is especially helpful after spending too much time sitting at my desk!

What I enjoy most about Somatics is how accessible it is. The movements can be done seated or lying down, they take only a few minutes, and they give me an opportunity to slow down, pay attention to my body, and reconnect with my breath.

I love being able to share this work with others through classes and personal sessions. One of my favorite parts is showing my clients their before-and-after photos. Seeing the changes in posture and alignment can make the benefits of this work visible in a way that words and even what we feel in our own bodies sometimes cannot.

For me, Somatics is about learning to listen to your body, creating more balance and ease, and discovering what is possible when we give our bodies the opportunity to move differently.

In the above photo:

Far left - prior to being introduced to Somatics - my right shoulder was very low, my right hip was higher, making my legs uneven.

Middle left - Photo taken at the start of a clinical session

Middle right - Photo after clinical session the same day

Far right - Photo taken two months later at a horse show. Shoulders were even.