Frequently asked questions.
1. What exactly is Somavia?
Somavia is a School. The offerings here are about helping people reconnect with their own bodies wisdom. I use different movement, breathing and meditation techniques as well as a little coaching to help you build practices that supposed your goals of being more comfortable in your own body, connected to your relationships and intumescent with your own inherent wisdom; aka Intuition.
2. What does “soma” or “somatic” actually mean?
“Soma” comes from the Greek word meaning “the living body as experienced from within.”
“Somatic” refers to practices that focus on internal sensation, body awareness, and movement from the inside out — rather than emphasis on external form or performance
3. What is “somatic movement”?
Somatic movement is mindful, intentional movement where you pay attention to how movement feels in your body — how your joints, muscles, breath, balance, and inner sensations respond — rather than how the movement looks or what the “end result” is.
It often involves slow, gentle motions, exploratory movement, aS these make it easier to hold your internal awareness on sensation. All movement however, can become somatic in practice by bringing your attention to it.
4. How is somatic movement different from traditional exercise or gym work?
Where traditional exercise or gym-based work often focuses on external performance — strength, speed, reps, appearance, or reaching a specific “pose” — somatic movement prioritizes internal experience, nervous-system awareness, tension release, and the quality of movement rather than quantity or external output.
It’s more about reconnecting with your body’s internal rhythms and habits, retraining how you move, and re-educating your nervous system for ease and awareness.
5. What is “functional movement”?
Functional movement refers to movement that come from the patterns we used in development; rolling, crawling, walking. thise movements translate well into everyday life as they are based on how the human body was designed and developed. these are the movements that solve our every day problems— movements that support posture, alignment, daily tasks, mobility, balance, coordination, and overall ease of living. Within a somatic framework, functional movement is done with awareness and sensitivity to your body’s needs, not simply for aesthetic or performance goals.
6. What is “breathwork” and how does “somatic breathwork” differ from other breath practices?
Breathwork means consciously engaging with your breath — how you inhale, exhale, the rhythm, depth, and awareness of breathing. Somatic breathwork emphasizes using breath as a bridge between body and mind: combining conscious breathing with attention to internal sensations, emotional release, nervous-system regulation, and embodied presence.
somatic breathwork may prioritize specific breathing patterns for performance or energy shifts if that is needed Most of us however, begin with more grounding, listening to your body, and supporting healing or nervous-system balance.
7. How does meditation fit into somatic work?
Meditation in somatic work often means cultivating mindful awareness of your body — sensations, breath, posture, internal rhythms — and using stillness or gentle movement to tune into what’s happening inside. It supports integration of mind, body, and nervous system, helping to calm stress, ease emotional tension, and deepen self-awareness.
8. Who is somatic movement / somatic work for? Is it only for people already flexible or experienced?
Not at all. Because somatic work emphasizes internal awareness over flexibility or “perfect form,” it is inherently accessible to people of all shapes, abilities, and movement backgrounds. The approach meets you where you are, honoring your history, limitations, and current state. Many people begin without prior experience in yoga, movement, or meditation.
9. Can somatic work help with chronic tension, habitual pain, or emotional stress?
Yes — one of the strengths of somatic movement is supporting tension release, posture improvement, and retraining habitual movement or holding patterns.
It can also support nervous-system regulation, stress reduction, emotional awareness, and — for some — processing stored emotional or trauma-related tension.
10. I’m not “fit” or flexible — is this still for me?
Yes. This work is designed for all bodies, regardless of fitness background. The emphasis is on functional movement (how your body really moves), gentle somatic healing, and honoring your body’s limits. There’s no requirement to be advanced.
11. What if I’m new to yoga, movement, or meditation — is it too advanced?
Not at all. Many people come without prior experience. The practices are grounded, accessible, and meant to meet you where you are. We are all Beginners at some point; this works scales to meet any and all abilities,
12. I’m not looking to “become a yoga teacher” — can I still do your in depth training?
Absolutely. The in depth training is a certified program that makes it possible for you to teach others under the umbrella of Yoga. However, its main goal is deep personal transformation. We use teaching as a way of cultivating deep understanding of complex principles as it requires you to know something so well that you could explain it to another. This is part of the method that ensures change.
13. What’s the difference between a small ritual, the one on one coaching program and the full training?
A small ritual = a structured movement/breath/meditation session design to asses were your system is at and develop a simple practice for you to do on your own
One on one Immersion - a 3 or 6 month path of one on one support that address movement, breath and mediation as well as your relationships and goals. This is a deeply comprehensive, personal path for those that are looking to really connect with their lives in a meaningful way.
The full training = the in-depth program that uses teaching, not just practicing, as a tool for transformation as well as learning how to guide and support others — for those who wish to teach and for the that are looking to deepen their understanding of “why”
14. What kind of results can I expect — and how soon?
You might feel increased awareness, improved mobility, more ease in daily movement, less tension or tightness, and early glimpses of inner calm. Over time with consistent practice, many people experience deeper resilience, better emotional regulation, and stronger connection to self. Real transformation isn’t a quick fix — it’s a slow, ongoing journey.
15. I’m dealing with trauma or emotional heaviness — is this safe for me?
Yes. The work is trauma-informed: movement, breath, and somatic practices are used gently and with respect for your boundaries. If something feels intense, you’ll be guided to slow down, and the practices emphasize safety, self-compassion, and inner listening.
16. Do I need to be spiritual or have a certain philosophy to join?
Not at all. While the work draws on yogic philosophy and perennial wisdom traditions and offers depth for those seeking spiritual growth, I don’t tell you what to believe. This is about connecting more deeply to your own belief system.
17. What if I’m intimidated by retreats — group work, sharing space, vulnerability?
That’s totally valid and common. The retreats are designed to be welcoming, grounded, and paced — far from hype or “transformation cult” energy. The aim is presence, connection, and gentle self-exploration (not instant overhaul).
18. Will I be expected to “open up” or share personal things?
Only as much as you feel comfortable. You are not required to share — this is your journey, at your own pace. The environment is meant to be respectful, inclusive, and trauma-informed, giving you the choice of how much to reveal.
19. What if I have chronic pain, old injuries, or limitations — is this still for me?
Yes, and often especially for you. The functional movement + somatic approach is about meeting the body where it is, honoring limits, and carefully building strength, mobility, and awareness in a safe, intelligent way.
20. Do I need special equipment or prior training to start?
No — you don’t need fancy gear or background. A willingness to move, breathe, and notice is enough. Classes are designed to be accessible, and modifications are offered as needed.
21. Will I be judged or compared to others (body shape, ability, progress)?
No. The environment is meant to be non-judgmental, inclusive, and supportive. The focus is on your journey, your body, and your pace — not on competition or comparison.
22. If I sign up for one of these programs, will it “fix” everything in my life?
Probably not — and that’s okay. These programs offer a container, a space, a moment, to rest, reflect, feel, and maybe shift something. Real change requires ongoing practice, time, and inner work.
23. How do I know if I’m “ready” to begin?
If you feel some curiosity — even a little — about your body, breath, mind or inner life; if you want more ease, awareness, or peace; if you want to move more freely or breathe more deeply — that’s enough. You don’t have to have everything figured out. The only “requirement” is willingness.
24. What can I expect during an individual assessment (movement / breath / meditation)?
I ask a few questions, I'll have you move a bit so I can see how the body is currently holding you, I'll observe your breath. And then we build a practice, together. something that really fits into your life with ease and excitement.
25. How do I start — do I just sign up?
Yep! Just sign up! Little rituals and retreats can be signed up for at any time. 1:1 immersion and the teacher training start with a call with me!
26. What kind of results or benefits can people expect from practicing somatic work regularly?
Potential benefits include improved body awareness and proprioception, increased mobility and flexibility, less chronic tension or pain, better posture and movement efficiency, reduced stress or anxiety, calmer nervous-system regulation, and deeper mind-body connection.
27. Do I need to be a certain “type of person” (e.g. spiritual, “into yoga,” super fit) to benefit from this — or is it enough to just want more ease in my body?
You don’t need to be spiritual or have prior experience. The practices are inclusive and meet people where they are — simply wanting more ease, awareness, balance or healing is enough. Somatic work is about listening to your body’s wisdom, not fitting a mold.
28. Is somatic work gentle and safe — even for people with injuries, old traumas, or nervous-system sensitivities?
Yes — somatic movement and breathwork are often gentle, slow, and mindful. Because the emphasis is on internal sensation and respect for your boundaries, it tends to be well-suited for people healing from injuries, trauma, or chronic tension.
That said, you’ll always have choice and control: you’re invited to move at your own pace, tune into comfort and safety, and adjust to what your body needs.
29. What if I try somatic practices and it feels “weird” or “too subtle” compared to regular workouts or yoga classes?
That’s normal. Somatic work typically works more slowly and subtly than external-goal-driven workouts. The shifts tend to be felt over time — in ease, awareness, posture, nervous-system regulation, and daily movement quality — rather than dramatic or immediate. Patience, curiosity, and consistency are often more important than “intensity.”
30. How does somatic work integrate breath, movement, and meditation together?
A somatic session may combine gentle movement (to explore how your body moves), breathwork (to tune into internal rhythms and nervous-system state), and meditation or mindful awareness (to listen inward, sense patterns, create space for healing). This integrated approach supports body-mind-nervous system alignment and helps build a sustainable, embodied practice — not just a workout, but a way of living.
31. Do I need special equipment or prior training to begin?
No. Somatic practices often use minimal to no equipment — just attention, breath, gentle movement, space to move or sit. Because the work is internal, props or fancy gear aren’t required. The key is presence, awareness, and openness.
32. What’s the difference between “somatic movement,” “somatic breathwork,” “meditation,” and “traditional yoga or exercise”?
Somatic movement emphasizes how movement feels internally, body-mind connection, nervous-system regulation, and internal awareness.
Somatic breath-work uses breath + sensation + awareness to support embodiment, emotional release, and nervous-system balance.
Meditation (in this context) invites stillness or gentle movement + internal awareness of body, breath, and mind — cultivating calm, self-awareness, and integration.
Traditional yoga does all of this an more. In modern times however, yoga has become more exercise than “yoga” and often emphasize external form, performance, strength, flexibility, or aesthetic goals. Somatic approaches shift focus from external to internal — sensation over performance.