Somatic yoga has proven to be 2024’s fast-growing, slow-burn fitness movement, inspiring a whole new breed of emotionally intuitive fitness fanatics
Vinyasa, Bikram, Ashtanga... You’re likely well-versed in the more common disciplines of yoga, but have you heard about Somatic yoga? Rather than a different ‘style’ of yoga, Somatic is considered a movement therapy that puts greater emphasis on understanding and acknowledging the body as a whole. And while it’s not a ‘new’ lineage of yoga, it’s seeing a rapid increase in popularity. Google searches for ‘Somatic yoga’ are surging and videos are trending on TikTok – thanks in part to a societal shift in how people approach fitness and self-care, and an increasing importance placed on more mindful, compassionate and connection-based practices.
The field of Somatic yoga was originally founded and coined in 1970 by philosopher and movement theorist Thomas Hanna – drawing on the foundations previously laid by physicist Moshé Feldenkrais – whose programme focused on the mind’s control of movement, flexibility and health.
“Somatics is about creating a connection between mind and body,” says Ipek Teker, a private Somatic yoga teacher based in Dubai. “In Somatic yoga, we try to find that connection. For example, the flows are less dynamic than classical yoga. Instead, through slow movement, we build neural paths where we create a connection with movement and the sensations that each movement triggers.”
Constanze Witzel, co-founder of Achievher somatic yoga studio in Dubai, adds that “In Somatics, we focus on the whole body, not just the physical body – but as well the mental, the emotional and the energy. They’re all intertwined and they all influence each other.”
She further explains that Somatics (which takes the Greek word ‘Soma’ meaning body) is really about “listening, tuning, noticing, sensing and feeling what your body is telling you, versus worrying about this pose or that pose. It’s like a top-down approach versus a bottom-up approach.”
One key benefit of Somatic yoga is that it’s a fully inclusive discipline designed for anyone and everyone – as beneficial for young children as it is for grown-ups and those in their older years – because it’s less about fitness or fixing yourself and more about mindful movement and breathwork to promote better physical, mental and emotional awareness, and nervous system regulation.
While classes are popping up all over Dubai, Achievher’s studio is dedicated to the art of Somatic yoga, tailoring all of its sessions around energising you from the inside out. Founded in May 2024 by Anna Al Qasimi-Roberts and Constanze, it’s become the city’s go-to safe place for women (along with mixed classes) to tap into their inner selves. “Through Somatics, we give you a kind of toolkit that allows you to feel better equipped to master life,” says Constanze. “We help guide you to handle whatever life throws at you with more grace and to be able to respond more consciously. [Somatics] can be a really nice way to become and feel more human again.”
So, what does a Somatic yoga session actually entail? “In my classes, we do lots of tapping, skin contact and breathwork,” explains Ipek. “We gently work on the fascia and the tiny muscle groups with continuous movement. We don’t hold yoga poses, instead we move slowly and mindfully, which allows the fascia to relax. When it does, the whole body and our nervous system gets sent a message that it is ‘safe’. Through each flow, we release any fixed or negative thoughts to focus on what feels right for you, and to create a dialogue with the body and the person.”
At Achievher, Constanze and Anna host themed classes that focus on different topics, such as melting away anxiety, energy renewal, breathwork, and gratitude and reflection. In the classes, along with slow yoga movements, there’s ‘heel tapping’, which helps get you out of your head and into your body, grounding you in the present moment; ‘shaking’, which helps release pent- up stress; ‘sighing’, which Constanze calls “The cheapest way to regulate your nervous system; And ‘zzzz’ breathing, which immediately helps regulate both mind and body.
The beauty of Somatic yoga is that it’s very simple – there’s no bending your body into a pretzel as you try to master complicated poses. Instead, it’s about keeping you in the moment through slow, simple and easy-to-follow movements and breathwork designed to help you connect with how you feel within – mentally, physically and emotionally. Consider it a holistic full-body check-up that will help regulate the nervous system, release tension, calm the mind, invigorate the body and salve the soul.
While it might not be the energetic fitness class some people crave, what it lacks in high- intensity it makes up for in slow movement and mindfulness that will energise you in a different way. “Anyone who wants to have a ‘true chat’ with themselves should try it at least once,” explains Ipek. “You’ll learn to connect with yourself, hear your body and respect its needs. It’s a mindset change.”
