awareness. practice. embodied change.

What is Somatics?

Somatics is a practice of embodied healing and change. Somatics invites us to include all parts of ourselves and come into deeper engagement with the world and what we care about. Through somatics we can practice intentionally shaping the world as we are simultaneously shaped by it, both individually and collectively. Somatics is also about remembering how to be in our bodies, and with other bodies, in life affirming and generative ways amidst systemic pressures and daily injustice. It’s about reconnecting to each of our indigenous histories, cultural practices, and ways of being which invite more aliveness through the body and connect us to ourselves, one another, and what we care about for the world.

Somatics comes from ‘Soma’ which is a Greek word that translates to ‘the living body in its wholeness.’ Somatics takes a ‘bottom up’ approach by working through the body, instead of working only with the mind from a ‘top down’ approach. By working in & through the body we can start to access more parts of ourselves, and thus more data, to inform our decisions and actions. This change methodology holds that we are shaped by social context, landscape and spirit.

Somatics helps us get off autopilot and start living with more choice.

“Working with Namiko was a real delight! She gave me ample space to speak my wants and truths, while also providing very apt structure and feedback during our sessions. I left our work together with greater insight into my relationship with my body and emotions, in addition to many helpful skills and tools which I utilize regularly.”

- Allie D.

What is coaching?

Coaching is a creative partnership that can support you in: gaining deeper awareness, identifying growth areas and challenges, and taking action to maximize personal and professional potential.

In somatic coaching, we also have intentional practices to support you in forming new habits and embodying the change you’re committed to.

I am a credentialed coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Please note that coaching is not therapy. I have a network of therapists and other healing practioners that I can refer you to if your needs fall outside my scope of practice.

Your well-being is always the priority.

What might a Somatic Coaching session involve?

We will take time in the beginning of each session to identify your topic and how it relates to your larger commitment for healing. We’ll explore your topic through conversion and start to awaken and deepen your capacity to feel and be with sensation. Sensations give us data about our impulses, needs, stories, and emotions. By working through the body we will generate insight into obstacles and survival strategies. We’ll design action steps and purposeful practices so you can build the capacity to access more choice while under pressure.

We will also bring in somatic bodywork. This bodywork modality is done fully clothed and in a reclined position. Somatic bodywork includes breath work and physical touch to support habitual holding patterns in the body. In somatics we say that a relaxed body is a powerful body. Through somatic bodywork we can support you to awaken more aliveness in your body, heal historical safety contractions, and come into deeper alignment with yourself and what you care about. I will always ask for your consent before offering a somatic bodywork session, and we will design and carry out the session together with respect to your safety, needs, boundaries, and commitment to healing.