Felt Sense

Felt Sense by PahPah

Somatic Medicine is an approach that deeply engages with the body's wisdom. At its heart is the "felt sense," the practice of tuning in and listening to the body's sensations, experiences, and emotional states. The fascia, or connective tissue, plays a crucial role in this process. It vibrates at specific frequencies, carrying signals throughout the body and reflecting the state of our physical and emotional well-being.

When we tune into these vibrations, we are essentially listening to a broadcast that is always present. This awareness of the fascia informs not only our muscles but also the body's electrical system, shaping our physical form according to the signals received. The fascia’s intelligence is a holistic experience, embodying the vibrations and communications that shape our entire being.

Practitioners of Somatic Medicine guide individuals through a process of deep listening and presence. A practitioner may lead a meditation that addresses the body, emotions, mind, and breath, helping participants become aware of their sensations and connect with their body. For instance, a practitioner might say, "As I breathe in, I feel pressure on my shoulders," helping the participant begin to identify and articulate their own sensations. This opens a "rabbit hole" of exploration, allowing the person to connect with and understand what their body is communicating.

Practitioners often ask questions that prompt deeper engagement with sensations: "What kind of weight do you feel on your shoulders? Is it a burden, hot, cold, or does it have a colour?" As the participant explores these questions, different elements may emerge, such as visual images, sounds, or sensations that are rooted in the body’s experience. For example, a participant might describe feeling a roaring ocean, which can then be further explored: "What is beneath the ocean? What else do you notice?"

It is a journey that unfolds layer by layer. The practitioner encourages the participant to maintain contact with their sensations and to stay present with whatever arises. Emotions, physical sensations, and images surface, creating a dialogue between the person and their body's deeper wisdom. This process can help uncover traumas or blockages held in the body, allowing them to be fully witnessed, and eventually transformed or released.

For example, a participant might describe a sensation as a fire in their chest or a buzzing in their knee. The practitioner will guide them to explore these sensations more deeply, asking questions like, "What is the nature of this buzzing? Is it annoying, hot, or vibrating at a certain frequency?" As they continue to engage with these sensations, they may begin to perceive an image or metaphor that encapsulates the feeling, such as a dark ocean or a crystal bowl.

As these images and sensations unfold, the practitioner encourages the participant to "zoom out" and see the bigger picture, helping them explore what is around, beneath, or beyond the initial experience. Often, this leads to a pivotal moment when a sense of lightness or clarity appears—a shift from darkness to light, or from tension to ease. The practitioner may then ask, "What is the sensation in your body now?" prompting the participant to notice any new feelings of relief, lightness, or openness.

This process is not about stopping at the first sign of light or relief. The practitioner supports the participant in staying with these moments, expanding on the experience of lightness or peace, and encouraging them to fully inhabit this new state. The goal is to deepen the sensation of light, allowing it to permeate the body and bring healing.

A key part of this practice is to help the person stay present with the sensations of light and warmth. The practitioner might ask, "What do you feel now? Is the sensation radiating through you? How does this light affect your body and being?" This allows for a full integration of the experience, anchoring it in the person’s awareness and physical body.

Ultimately, the "felt sense" is about allowing all sensations—whether discomfort or bliss—to be fully experienced and honoured. It is a way to bring body and spirit together, and to listen deeply to what the body needs to heal and transform. By engaging with this process, both practitioner and participant connect with a profound sense of being, moving through layers of sensation to reach a place of clarity and light.