Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy, Edition 2 (2024), Life Architect

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Disclaimer: The techniques taught in this training are for educational purposes only and should be used by qualified professionals within the scope of their practice.

Participants are responsible for their own clinical use of these techniques and must adhere to professional standards and local regulations. Life Architect is not liable for the misuse of these techniques or any resulting harm to clients.

Please keep in mind, that the exercises below are not identical with the scripts used by Practice Facilitators in Practice Circles. They have been edited in order to make it more usable to the students.

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Practice Circle #1 / 17th of September / Introduction to Somatic Therapy

Mindful pauses to check in with your body

© Sally Bubbers 2024

• Now we have an opportunity to consciously and curiously notice our bodies, in the present moment.
• Lets pause
• The invitation is for you to start noticing your body as you sit on the chair.
• Can you notice the alignment of your spine, is it leaning slightly forward or backwards? Is your chin raised or pulled down. Can your head re-centre to balance on your spine
• Maybe be curious about where the breath is going in your body? Is it high in your chest or does it travel a little deeper into your belly?
  • Is there a bit of humming activation in your body? And is your breath a little fast ?
  • Or are you noticing any slight sense of shut down?
    • If you sense a bit of activation, maybe try lengthening your out-breathe a little.
    • Or if you are feeling shut down maybe try breathing-in slightly deeper, through your nose, a couple of times. (pause)
  • And now check to see if anything has changed (pause).
• What are you feeling as you sit there (pause)
  • How is your body responding to you noticing it?
  • Is it fizzing up or becoming still? Or maybe both?
  • Is there something you are anxious about and you have butterflies in your stomach?
  • Does your mind start racing?
• If you are noticing anything, how do you feel towards it? Does it annoy you or can you be curious about it?
• Take a moment to acknowledge whatever is happening and let it know you can come back to it in the future.
• Make a mental note or in your journal about what you notice

Practice Circle #2 / 24th of September / The Neurobiology of Trauma

Empathy and Compassion

© Sally Bubbers