How to build a somatic practice that’s yours?
Enter the SPIRAL
In a world that often pulls us into performance, pace, and perfection, somatic practice invites us to return — to sensation, to presence, to self.
But what does it mean to make a practice somatic?
It’s less about what you’re doing and more about how you’re doing it. It’s a shift in orientation — from moving the body to listening through it. From achieving something to meeting yourself in motion, stillness, breath, and pause.
To support this shift, I offer the SPIRAL — a gentle yet powerful framework that invites you into deeper relationship with your body. It’s not a checklist or rigid method. It’s a rhythm, a way to orient and return, again and again.
THE SPIRAL METHOD
S — Sense
Begin with sensation.
Feel your contact with the ground. Notice what’s present — physically, emotionally, energetically. No need to fix or change. Just sense. This is your entry point.
“Where am I now?”
P — Presence
Land in the moment.
Let awareness deepen. Turn your attention inward. Be with what’s here — without urgency. Presence infused with awareness is the bridge between being and doing.
“Can I stay?”
I — Invitation
Open the door.
Rather than commanding or controlling movement, offer invitations. “What happens if…?” Let the body respond in its own time. This cultivates agency, curiosity, and trust.
“What if I let the body lead?”
R — Research
Play and explore.
Try things. Follow threads of sensation, movement, sound, or breath. Notice how things feel — not just how they look. Stay curious, not correct.
“What do I discover when I stay with this?”
A — Absorb
Let it land.
Allow what you’ve explored to settle. Integration doesn’t always look active. Sometimes it’s stillness, a sigh, a shift in breath. Let the body soak it in.
“What’s staying with me?”
L — Linger
Don’t rush away.
This is the space where practice becomes presence. Linger with what has unfolded. Let it echo through you. Here, embodiment deepens — not through doing more, but through staying with what is.
“Can I welcome the after?”
Why SPIRAL?
Because somatic practice isn’t linear.
It moves in waves, cycles, and spirals — like your breath, like your healing, like life itself.
The SPIRAL reminds us that practice isn’t just about movement.
It’s about relationship — with the body, with sensation, with self.
And it’s always available. Right here. Right now.
Here’s some ways you can bring curiosity into your practice:
Create Space: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can move freely.
Tune In: Start by closing your eyes and checking in with how you feel. What sensations are present in your body? What emotions are you carrying?
Move Slowly: Allow your body to guide you in gentle movement. There’s no need to push or strive—just notice what your body wants to do.
Stay Present: As you move, stay with the sensations. Breathe deeply, noticing how your body responds to each breath.
Honour Your Needs: If something doesn’t feel right, shift or stop. Your body’s needs may change from moment to moment, and that’s okay.
