What Is Somatic Resonance & Why Does It Matter?

Back in the 1970’s, researcher Candice Pert, noticed that the brain, gut, heart and immune system share neuropeptide transmitters and receivers. These basic communication pathways weave together and sustain our physical being. In the English language, however, we are forced to speak of mind, body, and others as separate entities. These words draw lines around and cut into pieces the gestalt whole of our lived experience in relation to ourself and others. We experience ourselves as whole, as body-mind-world.

Further research has shown that our brains, and especially our hearts produce measurable electromagnetic fields. The heart’s field is some 5000 times greater than the brain's and its influence can be detected in the EEG of another person within three feet proximity. We are always influencing and being influenced by the other people in our lives. If our relationships are healthy and positive, we experience well-being. If they are chronically distressing and unsafe, we may experience harm over time. Daniel Siegel in The Mindful Therapist, describes somatic resonance this way, “…the alignment of two autonomous beings into an interdependent and functional whole as each person influences the internal state of the other. Our heart rates align, breathing becomes in-synch, non-verbal signals emerge in waves that parallel each other…we are created by the on-going dance within, between, and among us.”

Interpersonal co-regulation is a hallmark of secure functioning and safe, human relationship systems. Secure attachment is linked to positive health benefits and life success. The opposite is also true. Distressing and insecure relationships take a toll on our health and well-being as does isolation and loneliness. Turns out one of the best gifts you can give a partner or loved one is your own healthy self-esteem and a kind-hearted, positive attitude. We naturally entrain our basic biological systems with those we live with. Our somatic resonance is something we can choose to influence.

Here is a little activity you can try with a friend or loved one to increase your positive somatic resonance

1. First agree on the feeling you would like to share. It could be joy, calm, peace, or even joyful peace and so on. Combine both words if that makes it easy to land on a desired state.

2. Sitting comfortably side by side, place one hand on your heart and the other on your partner’s hand (so you are “holding hands). Designate one of you as the “counter’ for the next step.

3. Use Andrew Weill’s 4-7-8 breathing pattern to relax the heart. The designated “counter” can use a finger to tap out the timing on your partner’s hand. Breath in for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of seven, exhale with a whooshing or wind sound through your mouth for a count of eight and repeat this sequence at least four times.

4. Continue to sit together for the next few minutes. During this time bring to mind a memory, scene, or color, sound, etc. that takes you into that feeling. Once you have that feeling, quietly say “Got it” to your partner. Enjoy the experience.

5. Once you’ve both arrived at this state, imagine that this feeling is a beautiful colored light, sound, and sensation that envelops both you and your partner. Receive your partner’s glow as a gift and imagine the two glows mingling into a beautiful bubble of feeling around you both. When you feel relaxed in this state, tell your partner, “I’m ready.”

6. Once you are both ready, you can pause for a few moments and share your experiences of the activity.

Enjoy!

FREE WEBINAR: Somatic stories - listening to the body's voice

August 20th, noon Pacific

Join me next week as I share tips and a framework for understanding how to work with your client's somatic stories. The body is always talking and unlike the mind, the body tells the truth if we can learn to listen and to unpack its messages.

There is a gentle art to knowing what signals to catch, which to let pass, and how to bring your and your client's awareness to key moments in their (often unconscious) performance of their story.

PODCAST FANS!

Catch this latest conversation between Ali Mezey and Jane exploring different dimensions of the wisdom of our bodies & much more...

This episode offers a profound look at how brilliant our bodies are and how understanding these systems can lead to greater personal and societal harmony.

To listen, click here: Ali & Jane Podcast

In this episode, Ali is joined by world-renowned Family Constellation Work facilitator and trainer (and Ali's Constellations mentor), Jane Peterson, PhD, to discuss our bodies, minds, and systemic consciousness.

They explore the multi-dimensional concept of embodiment, emphasizing that the body exists and interacts in a complex web of relationships. Peterson shares her insights on Family Constellation Work, systemic thinking, and her experiences in permaculture and organizational consulting. They discuss the importance of relational dynamics, belonging, and the interplay between individual and collective systems.

Ali and Jane also touch upon the relevance of micro-skills in achieving mastery in embodied practices and collaborative relationships, while highlighting the common issues in modern communication frameworks.

Work with Jane



My view of my computer screen...

While I'm on sabbatical, I'm working on some projects for later this year and next year. My Russian Blue kitty, Miss Bu, loves the fact that I'm home, but not the fact that I'm not paying attention to her. She's learned she can jump up on my desk, and you know what human hands are for, right? Petting kitties, not typing on keyboards. Everyone (who is a cat) knows that. See you in September! I'll be very furry.



Book now for September!

Still time to dive into summer learning!



Upcoming events at the Institute

OPEN WORKSHOP, August 18th (in person)

All issues workshop open to public participation. To bring an issue, register here. To observe/represent, register here.

FREE WEBINAR, August 20th (online): Somatic Stories, Listening to the Body's Voice

This webinar will give you a framework to explore the stories the body knows but cannot always tell, and give you pointers on how to work with these cues. Register here.

Final MASTER CLASS of 2024, September 12th - 15th: The Art of Working Somatically (in person - the absolute best way to learn this!)

Learn how to work safely and effectively with clients' and reps' somatic signals. Identify the system in the client’s performance of the story of their issue.

Go beyond the words to the deeper story your client’s system is holding.

Identify which signals are important and which to let pass.

Gain permission to tap into these vulnerable communications.

Register here.

WORKSHOP, September 16th (in person): Imprints, Working with Birth Trauma & Early Childhood Trauma with additional guest presenter, Mary Seamster

Join Mary and me for this experiential and experimental workshop as we explore the ways these imprints reveal themselves in constellations and how to work with them.

Register here.

Farm News

WHY WE PRUNE

Our lovely Mirabelle sugar plums are just days from ripening. The poor tree is loaded and is providing a lesson in pruning for us because the tree has not been pruned properly for the last few years. Consequently, we've had to prop up branches and take measures to prevent damage to the tree and preserve the crop. So, this summer, after scouring the internet, I bought myself a fancy (read: expensive) pruning ladder and proper tools, and (gulp!) we're going to have to prune our fruit trees ourselves.

Farming is such a school of life. We've learned the value of constraint - pruning in this case - in fostering productivity and health. Now to apply those lessons to other parts of our lives! For you suburban or urban farmers, you may enjoy learning about the value of constraints here. Growing plants well is a more daunting task than either of us imagined when we started this project. We've relied on outside experts over the eight years we've been growing plants here, with mixed results. I've got rose pruning down, and even had a rose expert from Heirloom roses bless my work (so far). So, clip, clip! I hope our fruit trees survive this novice pruner.

I don't know what we'll do with so many plums. If you are interested in tasting genuine sugar plums, and Mirabelles, the true French sugar plum, are exquisite, let us know.