Feeling over form: why Somatic Yoga is what you need
vanessa mic 
Learn how Somatics tap into your body’s inner wisdom for deeper stress relief and ease of movement
Coming from a Dance background and with years of Somatic Dance studies under my belt, I have to confess I felt quite confused when I started to practice Yoga regularly in London.
In most Vinyasa classes I encountered, the focus was primarily on external movement, alignment, flexibility, and physical endurance. The goal was to flow smoothly from one pose to another, to go into the deepest stretches and to challenge our muscles holding poses without a wobble.
That felt reassuring in a way, it reminded me of the chase of perfection I experienced in my Ballet training. I would also particularly appreciate the relatively limited scope of the vocabulary, as focusing on just a few poses was quite refreshing for my busy mind.
Yet, after a few sessions I started to miss something and began to wonder, what if we could go deeper, bringing a somatic approach to the Asana practice, so that a sequence can become an opportunity to cultivate our internal body awareness, to heal and feel more at ease in our body, not just to become stronger or more flexible? Wouldn't this be more in line with what Yoga is supposed to be after all, a holistic path where the movement component is just a mean to liberation, not an end in itself?
Luckily, as I later discovered, Somatic Yoga or a Somatics-inspired form of Vinyasa does exist! And this is exactly what I have been focusing on in the past years, sharing this empowering practice with curious practitioners from all over the world through my Transformative Movement Method.
Here is how a Somatics-inspired Yoga differs from your "regular" Vinyasa Yoga (I write "regular" since as you know there are so many lineages/approaches/styles of teaching when it comes to Vinyasa, so I am referring to what we are more likely to encounter in a studio space).
1️⃣ Focus on internal awareness over external perfection
Vinyasa Yoga typically emphasises moving through postures in a flowing sequence, linking each movement to the breath and achieving a specific external shape. Whether you are working to master a Downward Dog or an arm balance, the aim is often physical.
Instead, Somatic Yoga, which draws from somatic movement therapy, a practice that prioritises internal body awareness and how each movement feels from within, shifts the focus inward. Rather than chasing a perfect posture, Somatic Yoga encourages you to explore and adjust based on your body’s needs in the present moment. It is more about creating a mindful connection with your body, which can help release tension and reduce stress (this is why Somatic Yoga can also be used as a healing tool).
2️⃣ Building a deeper mind-body connection
Yoga is in itself a practice based on the concept of mind-body integration, but Somatic Yoga takes this one step further by addressing habitual movement patterns that might be contributing to discomfort or tension in your body.
Since the pace is slower and more reflective, there is space to pause, breathe, and notice your sensations. The sequences are less rigid, allowing for exploratory movements that respond to how you feel in the moment. This flexible approach helps cultivate body awareness and can even help you regulate your nervous system, address chronic pain and promote neuromuscular re-patterning, offering a more therapeutic and restorative experience.
3️⃣ Individualised and intuitive breathwork
In traditional Vinyasa, breath and movement are tightly linked. Most of the times you are guided to inhale and exhale in rhythm with your movements, which can be sometimes helpful in remembering to breathe fully, rather than holding the breath, but can also feel rigid at times, especially if your body needs a different pace.
In Somatic Yoga, instead of following a set pattern of when to inhale or exhale, you are encouraged to breathe naturally, allowing your body to find its rhythm in each movement. This makes it ideal for stress relief and emotional healing.
While "regular" Vinyasa Yoga helps build strength, endurance, and flexibility, Somatic Yoga offers a slower, more intuitive practice that focuses on healing, releasing tension, and integrating body awareness. Both styles can complement each other beautifully (and coexist, I love to merge them in Transformative Movement!).
🌟 Curious to discover how a Somatic approach to movement can help you reduce tension, build strength, and feel truly at ease in your body?
Categories: : anxiety relief, holistic wellbeing, mental health, movement as medicine, somatic movement, somatic yoga, stress