Frequently Asked Questions
What is Integrated Somatic Therapy Practice?
Integrative Somatic Therapy Practice was created by Ratha Chek at the Integrative Somatic Studies Institute Inc., and is a unique modality that has multiple components put together. Somatic therapy is a body based therapy approach that enhances your felt wisdom in body sensation and connection. Using breath and other techniques, you will learn to move pent up traumatic energy and release it. It is used to recover from trauma and to restore the nervous system to a regulated state. Scientific research shows that experiencing trauma can trigger our body at any time, resulting in negative physical and mental responses. Somatic therapy allows your body to complete the trauma response, bringing you back to a healthy sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system balance.
What types of techniques are used in ISTP (TM)?
ISTP focuses on 5 main techniques that integrate together to encourage somatic release. Mindfulness in the form of meditation, body scanning, and different grounding tools will teach you how to become more aware of your traumatic triggers and body sensations. Restorative yoga postures may be used to deepen the connection to the breath, and create safety within the body. Gentle touch using Thai massage and pressure help to facilitate and deepen the breath, creating movement of the pent up energy in the body. Sound processing can help create release, or allow for integration and processing at the end of session.
What is a somatic release?
A somatic release is when energy is moved out of the body. A release can come in many forms. You may experience emotional effects, such as crying, laughing, sadness, anger, grief, etc. You may experience yawning, migrating pain, numbness, tingling, tremors, temperature changes, constriction, or a sense of “unwinding” in the body. There are many ways our bodies express themselves, but these are some examples of what to expect.