What's a "resource" in therapeutic somatic work?

In therapeutic somatic work, a resource is anything that connects you to a deeper capacity for nervous system organization and regulation. They are internal and external anchors that help you feel less activated. As we collectively take in the stories of violence and displacement around the world, tuning into our somatic resources allows us to access regulation which means we can feel and think creatively about flexible and help-giving responses.

You'll know you've landed on a therapeutic resource when your breath drops in, your body relaxes, and you feel a sense of possibility or even ☀️ hope.

An external resource could be your pet, your home, or the sky. It could also be a person whose image gives you a sense of being held, loved unconditionally, or supported and known. It could be a place, like the forest or New York City…the possibilities are as endless as the world. An internal resource could be the sensation of your spine, the space between your joints, or the movement of your breath. It could be an image, like a tall tree with deep roots, or a thought/mantra, like “all people are good” or “anything is possible.”

Anything that connects you to a sense of self and inner integrity in the face of disruption is a resource. When we are resourced we can connect and help one another.

If you’ve taken a class with me before, you’ve probably seen this video of Cynthia Erivo singing “I'm here” in The Color Purple. Ms. Erivo’s dynamic postural support, head-neck-back organization and breathing coordination are a virtuosic example of ‘good use’ inside of heightened song and circumstances. But I recently realized that this song is also a somatic lesson about resourcing, too. Give it a watch and see if you know what I mean, and I'll be expanding on that in my next blog post.

What are your internal or external anchors? For now, I invite you to reflect on your own therapeutic resources. What calms you down and connects you to a sense of well-being and self-worth? Why not make a list and put it somewhere easy to see?

Meanwhile, if you could use some external resourcing, I've got some in-person and online offerings coming up this Spring. Schedule a free consultation to discover where to start.