About somatics in simple words

I offer regular online group classes focused on gentle movement, breathing, and body awareness. You can also book individual somatic sessions, either online or in person at my practice in Ra'anana, Israel.
For organizations, I provide corporate trainings designed to reduce stress, restore energy, and enhance mindfulness in the workplace.

Somatics online

WHAT IS
SOMATICS?

Somatics is an approach to human development and learning through movement. Somatic sessions are based on principles of biomechanics, neurology, and neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change as a result of experience. Using strategies of neuromuscular retraining, somatics helps individuals develop body awareness, improve posture, flexibility, and coordination, enhance athletic and artistic abilities, and support those dealing with stress, trauma, limited mobility, chronic pain, and muscle tension. The practice of body awareness is offered in both group and individual lesson formats.

Somatics in Simple Terms The word "somatics" might sound a bit scientific and distant, but in reality, it’s about something very personal—it’s about you, your body, and how you experience it. Imagine you’ve had a stressful day. You sit down on the couch in the evening, but your shoulders are still tense, your breathing is shallow, and your jaw is slightly clenched. The day is over, yet your body hasn’t relaxed—it’s still holding onto stress. Or the opposite: you take a walk in the forest, inhale the fresh air, slow down. And suddenly, you notice—your body has relaxed on its own. Your breath is deeper, your chest feels lighter. That’s what somatics is—awareness of how your body experiences life along with you. Unlike traditional medicine or fitness, where something is done to the body (healing, training, correcting), somatics invites you to listen and notice. It’s not about forcing change, but about creating a dialogue with yourself.

What Does the Somatic Approach Offer? ✔️ It helps you listen to your body and understand its signals—not ignoring pain until it becomes unbearable, but noticing it early. ✔️ It reduces stress levels, preventing tension from building up in your muscles and nervous system. ✔️ It develops sensitivity and a deeper connection with yourself, which affects not just your body but also your emotions, relationships, and decisions. Somatics isn’t about complicated techniques. It’s about slowing down and feeling—How am I standing? How am I breathing? What’s happening with me right now? Simple things that change a lot. Do you notice how your body reacts to stress, joy, or fatigue? How it experiences life along with you?

Psychosomatics vs. Somatics: What’s the Difference? The words sound similar, but they mean different things! Let’s break it down in simple terms. Psychosomatics studies how stress, emotions, and mental states affect physical health. For example, when your stomach aches from worry or you get a headache from stress—that’s psychosomatics at work. It focuses on the question: "What in my mind is causing these physical symptoms?" Somatics, on the other hand, looks at things from the body’s perspective. It’s about noticing: "How does my body feel right now? Where is there tension? How am I moving and breathing?" Somatics helps improve well-being through mindful movement and body awareness. Key Differences: What they focus on: Psychosomatics: How emotions and stress can cause physical issues. Somatics: How body sensations connect to mental and emotional states. How they work: Psychosomatics: Finds the cause of physical symptoms in the mind. Somatics: Helps you tune into your body to release tension and feel better. Why does it matter? Understanding these differences helps you choose the right approach to self-care. Sometimes, exploring your emotions (psychosomatics) is helpful, while other times, you just need to slow down, feel your body, and let go of tension (somatics).

Thomas Hanna was one of the first to propose that our body can “learn” through movement. He developed the concept of somatics, which shows that we can consciously work with muscular tension and holding patterns to restore freedom and natural ease to the body.

Moshe Feldenkrais was the founder of the Feldenkrais Method, which focuses on how we move and perceive our bodies. His approach is based on the idea that through gentle and mindful movement, we can improve coordination, enhance flexibility, and even reduce pain.

Simple Principles of Somatic Practice: Not a Workout, but Mindful Exploration

Somatics is not about “pushing through,” “powering up,” or doing things because you “should.”
It’s a completely different approach to the body — one that is gentle, respectful, and deeply aware.

Here are the key principles:

1) Move slowly
We move slowly so the brain has time to notice what the body is doing.
When we slow down, we gain the ability to feel our movements rather than just repeat them automatically.

2) Stay aware
We don’t just perform exercises — we observe sensations:
Where is there tension? Where is it easier? What’s changing?
It’s a dialogue with the body, not a set of commands.

3) Stay in your comfort zone
No pain, no forcing, no pushing through.
We respect the body’s boundaries and only move into what feels comfortable.
That’s exactly where true change begins.

4) Be curious and attentive
The goal isn’t to do something “better,” “higher,” or “stronger,” but to understand, sense, and learn something new.
It’s an exploration: What if I do this differently?

5) No rush, no expectations
Each session is a chance to give the body and nervous system space to restore and recalibrate.
We’re not rushing, comparing, or demanding — we’re simply learning how to be with ourselves.

Somatics is like a quiet conversation with your body — not a competition.

Booking for a personal session

In clinic

On-line

Somatics (or SME - Somatic movement education) is a modern technique for neuromuscular reeducation that helps you to get rid of chronic tension and gain more freedom of movement. Slow pace and concentration on your sensations make this approach safe, pleasant to perform, suitable for people of all ages and health conditions yet efficient and powerful.

Somatic Experiencing is a gentle and non-invasive approach, so there’s no need to relive traumatic memories. Instead, the focus is on your body’s present experience. Sessions are paced to ensure you feel safe and in control throughout. You may feel subtle physical or emotional changes, such as a sense of lightness, release, or calm. It’s common to feel more connected to yourself and your body after each session.

Recommendations for Sustaining Results

To maintain and solidify your progress:

Practice the tailored exercises provided after each session at home.
15–20 minutes daily is enough to support your improvements.
Join weekly group somatic classes for extra motivation.

Important:

Wear comfortable clothing and clean socks to sessions.

Classes

Reviews

A. Lubshin

Let me start from the beginning. Four years ago, I joined a group for seniors. My weight was 136 kg at a height of 172 cm. I could barely move, I was out of breath climbing stairs, I couldn’t tie my shoelaces, and I felt like a disabled person just living out the rest of my life. I liked that the classes were held online — I didn’t have to travel anywhere. During the sessions, I didn’t always turn on my camera — I was embarrassed about how I looked, and sometimes I even fell asleep, unable to do the exercises. But I kept showing up, because I felt I needed it.

Some time later, you announced a new “Somatic Experience” group, where bodywork is combined with psychological trauma processing. A whole year of weekly classes passed, and there were no results. I couldn’t answer the question: “What do you feel in your body? How do you physically experience something?” I had no sensitivity, nothing was changing. I decided it was time to stop, but it turned out that you, Ekaterina Anatolyevna, believed in the effectiveness of the sessions more than I did. You didn’t agree that there would be no results, and insisted I continue.

Why did I agree? Because by then I had realized that your support and your attitude towards me had become one of my most important resources — something I had so little of in my life. You saw my value (even though I was such a poor student) and respected me. You believed I could succeed. That belief alone was worth continuing! You became the most supportive person in my older, solitary life.

And two years later, I began to see changes — or rather, to feel them. First, I started to notice how certain experiences resonated in my body.

Changes began on the psychological level too. Most importantly, my attitude towards myself started to shift. I became less ashamed of my body, I managed to look at myself openly (and even be shocked), and I told myself that I accept myself as I am now. And that I can change something in myself.

Now I’ve started changing my habits and following a program I created for myself. I — I myself — am changing my life. And now I have the resources to do it.

For this, I am indebted to you, Dr Katya!

On Nervous Exhaustion

With everything that’s been happening — emigration, armed conflicts, financial difficulties, bureaucracy, caring for elderly parents — I, like many others, periodically find myself in a state of nervous exhaustion. I’m a living person, after all.

As a somatic therapist, I regularly work with people in a similar state. I deeply understand what they’re going through, because I’ve been there myself. And I want to share what I believe is important about this state — perhaps it will help you treat yourself with a little more care.

First of all, nervous exhaustion is not a breakdown. It doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. It’s not a diagnosis and not a sign of “mental weakness.” It’s a natural reaction of a body that has been mobilized for too long. You are not lazy, a failure, or weak-willed. You are simply a person going through a difficult time. And it’s not forever.

Speed is not the main virtue. In a state of exhaustion, the best thing you can do is not interfere with your body and mind slowing down. You don’t need to keep running on willpower. This isn’t a marathon where the one who pushes through wins. Here, the one who stops in time and recovers is the winner.

It’s important not to blame yourself. You might not be able to “work at 100%,” “be productive,” or “be like before.” And that’s okay. It’s normal not to be at your peak. It’s normal to struggle. In hard times, it’s normal to lower the bar, choose only the most important things, and let go of the rest.

Simple things truly help. The body loves predictability and rhythm — just like in kindergarten. Waking up at the same time, having small rituals (tea in the evening, the same show every Friday, a walk at a set time) provide a sense of stability and help the system hold together. Even a short “It’s okay, we’re home” is already a step toward recovery.

Now is not the time for “hard work on yourself.” When your nervous system is at its limit, it’s not the moment for self-improvement. This is the time when 10 minutes a day of breathing, relaxing your face, or simply “listening to yourself” is more than enough. This is an investment in coming back to yourself.

And one more important thing. If it feels like “there is no future,” it’s not because it has truly disappeared. It’s just that your nervous system can’t see it right now. Try to draw at least a tiny beacon ahead — plan something good. For next week. Next month. In six months. It works.

I know there are no universal recipes. But if you’re reading this and feeling unwell — please, don’t scold yourself. That only adds fuel to the fire. This state is temporary. You are not broken. You are living in a challenging time and you keep going, day after day. And that already means a lot.

If you’d like, share in the comments — what helps you hold on? What rituals or simple things help you keep from falling apart?

Hugs to everyone who’s also going through a hard time right now.