Exploring Somatic Intelligence: Learning from Bodily Changes

The other night, anxiety crept in and seized my body. The experience caught me off guard. Usually a string of thoughts proceeds the anxious feelings. However, my mind was at rest while my body felt the rush of anxiety. Our bodies constantly are in flux, changing and adapting to surrounding environments. Sometimes we consciously recognize the environmental forces behind a trigger, other times the process is independent of conscious awareness. A psychological concept that refers to our ability to absorb and learn from these somatic messages flowing from bodily changes is somatic intelligence.

Marion Gilbert, physical therapist and somatic awareness coach wrote, “​All psychological and spiritual experiences take place in and are perceived by the body” (Gilbert, 2013).  This thought is captured in an earlier Psychology Fanatic article when T, Franklin Murphy teaches:

“Living is an emotional experience. We feel. The experience of living isn’t what happens to us but how we feel about what happens to us” (Murphy, 2016).

Spiritual and Psychological Support for Somatic Intelligence 

A google search reveals a wide variety of articles about somatic intelligence. The concept of somatic intelligence is found in psychology, holistic , and fitness circles. Somatic intelligence overlaps with many psychological staples and on-going research. We see many intertwining connections between somatic intelligence, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, emotional regulation and emotional awareness.

​Many modern therapy styles in psychology now include some form of somatic practices. We see somatic intelligence utilized in:

• Emotion Focused Therapy (Leslie Greenberg)
• Somatic Experiencing (Peter A. Levine)
• Focusing (Eugene Gendlin)
• Interpersonal Neurobiology (Daniel Siegel)
• Sensorimotor psychotherapy (Pat Ogden)

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Research supports these somatic styles of therapy, proving them as effective treatment for many mental health illnesses. Holistic and alternative medicine often use the term somatic intelligence. Many of these practices engage in exercises that focus awareness on internal feelings and physical sensations. We sometimes refer to these as spiritual practices.

Many Somatic Practices Unregulated

However, since many of these practices and teachings are either unregulated or less regulated, it is incumbent upon the patient to scrupulously investigate suggested programming. Many of these practices may safely be used as supplemental medicine not as an alternative medicine.

Many holistic practices include meditation, breathwork and mindfulness. Holistic medicine is a whole-body approach to healthcare, improving health and wellness through the body, mind, and soul. Whole-person wellness is an effective path to a healthier, happier life. Old fitness methodology taught that conditioning the body required a mind-over-matter approach; when there was no pain there was not gain. While growth requires pushing beyond normal comfortable routines, treating messages from the body as the enemy can be dangerous. When muscles and tissues are overused, misused, or abused, our body is vulnerable to injuries.

In a fitness book on core awareness, author Liz Koch wrote:

“Developing somatic intelligence is not about gaining control. Instead, it is a process of unfolding and awakening an internal strength by accessing integrity” (Kock, 2012).

Traditionally, somatic awareness is associated with eastern fitness, intertwined with practices of Yoga, Pilates and Qi Gong. However, somatic awareness and the integrating somatic intelligence to utilize the body’s wisdom can greatly benefit any fitness endeavor. The runner, the weight lifter, and the swimmer can all learn from the messages emanating from the body, learning and differentiating the sensations of being challenges from being overused.

Somatic Intelligence: an Integrating Practice

Our body is a master learner, soaking in messages from the environment. Learning isn’t always a conscious endeavor. A vast majority of learning occurs outside of awareness. The concept of somatic intelligence is drawing from the bodies storehouse of intelligence, by recognizing the mind body connection. Marion Gilbert explains:

“Our ability to make choices to respond beyond our survival strategies is wholly dependent on our ability to be aware of the felt sense of emotions and beliefs held in our body based on past experience” (Gilbert, 2013).

Brain science supports this concept. Several neuroscientists suggest that emotional learning occurs by experiences being tagged with somatic markers. Accordingly, integration of these markers is suggested to a part of our executive functions, largely occurring in the prefrontal cortex.

T. Franklin Murphy wrote:

Integrating is an ongoing process. Much of the integration occurs effortlessly. We have multiple sensory systems because they benefit our survival. We draw wisdom from these sources without intention. However, we don’t utilize everything. We have limited working space, much of the information we pull from the world remains hidden in the shadows of the mind. We compartmentalize experience, only drawing to consciousness small bits and pieces—a fraction of reality—failing to integrate many rich sources of information (2018).

Integration and Wellness

Lawrence Heller and Aline LaPierre wrote:

​”It is widely held in both somatic and psychoanalytic theory that without words to mentalize physical experience, unnamed, overwhelming emotions and sensations remain lodged in the body and its organs and are expressed as psychosomatic symptoms—a somatic encapsulation of unarticulated states. Naming an experience brings sensations and emotions into consciousness” (Heller & LaPierre, 2012).

With awareness of internal changes, movement of life energy, we consciously integrate emotions through words. We name the feeling affects. Without the organizing ability of our prefrontal cortex, somatic happenings may feel fragmented, without purpose, leaving us confused.

The Prefrontal Cortex and Somatic Intelligence

Daniel J. Siegel, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California–Los Angeles School of Medicine, explains the importance of the prefrontal cortex in this organization. He wrote, “​The prefrontal cortex integrates social, somatic, brainstem, limbic, and cortical systems all into one functional whole. This integrative mechanism enables us to function in harmony in our bodies and in our social worlds” (Siegel, 2012).​

Linda Graham, expert on the neuroscience of human relationships, points to a well-functioning prefrontal cortex as the CEO of resilience, providing the emotional regulating ability to process emotional sieges from worry, fear, and panic in our nervous systems.

She writes:

“Once you can use the somatic intelligence of your prefrontal cortex to manage your body’s automatic reactivity to danger or threat and reliably maintain an inner equilibrium, you can act in the world with skill and conscious response-ability. You can carry on” (Graham, 2013, p 193).

Language and Somatic Intelligence

Our language centers help define somatic experience. This process is known as emotion differentiation. Importantly, the more granular our explanation, the greater the handle we give to the experience to harness the energy and direct it towards our goals and aspirations.

Antonio Damasio, a neurologist and neuroscientist at the University of Southern California, hypothesized that, “Emotion was in the loop of reason, and that emotion could assist the reasoning process rather than necessarily disturb it.” We refer to the emotional components in this decision making loop as somatic markers. Damasio explained that “Emotions mark certain aspects of a situation, or certain outcomes of possible actions.” Damasio explains that this marking can be achieved quite overtly, as in a ‘gut feeling,’ or covertly, via signals occurring below the radar of our awareness” (Damasio, 2005).

Importantly, without delving to deep into brain science, emotion influences everything we do. Basically, we mark encoded memories with importance by associated emotions. Secondly, underlying emotions stimulates logical reasoning, giving one thought precedence over another. If emotion is such a fundamental source of energy for life, it stands to reason that bringing some of these processes into awareness is beneficial.

Biological and Psychological Obstacles to Somatic Intelligence

While somatic intelligence is a skill, there are several obstacles to enhancing our ability to experience emotion. Above all, early life trauma interferes with a person’s ability to connect with emotion. Emotional detaching is a psychological defense often employed to survive these harsh environments. In addition, there are also biological causes, such as alexithymia, that lead to an inability to experience emotion. In these situations, lack of somatic intelligence is not because we don’t have the skill but because we don’t have the ability. However, therapy sometimes can help in these situations.

Fundamental Life Energy

When we work through the body, we engage with the fundamental life energy that animates and shapes who we are. This connection to our core energy allows us to tap into a vast reservoir of wisdom, compassion, and intelligence that is often overlooked in our fast-paced lives (Strozzi-Heckler, 2014).

This process involves not just acknowledging our physical sensations but also understanding their significance in shaping our emotional landscape. By cultivating somatic awareness, individuals can learn to interpret bodily signals as vital cues for self-regulation and personal growth. The practice encourages us to listen deeply to what our bodies communicate—whether it be tension indicating stress or relaxation signaling safety—and respond accordingly.

Messages from the Body

Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the National Complex Trauma Treatment Network, warns about the consequences of neglecting these bodily messages. He emphasizes that, “The price for ignoring or distorting the body’s messages is being unable to detect what is truly dangerous or harmful for you and, just as bad, what is safe or nourishing” (van der Kolk, 2015).

This highlights the importance of developing a healthy relationship with our inner somatic experience; without this connection, individuals may find themselves disconnected from their emotions and instinctual responses. Van der Kolk continues by asserting that if one can establish a comfortable connection with their inner sensations—if they can trust them to provide accurate information—they will feel empowered: “you will feel in charge of your body, your feelings, and yourself” (van der Kolk, 2015).

Thus, fostering an understanding of one’s somatic experiences becomes crucial not only for personal well-being but also for enhancing decision-making abilities rooted in genuine self-awareness.

Associated Concepts

• Embodied Cognition: This theory posits that cognitive processes are deeply rooted in the body’s interactions with the world. Somatic intelligence is considered a form of embodied cognition, where the body plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts and emotions.
• Emotional Intelligence: Somatic intelligence is closely related to emotional intelligence, as it involves awareness of one’s own body signals that correspond to emotional experiences.
• Mindfulness-Based Practices: Somatic intelligence aligns with mindfulness practices that emphasize bodily awareness and present-moment experience as a means to enhance mental and emotional well-being.
• Resilience and Non-Reactivity: Research suggests that somatic intelligence can contribute to resilience by promoting non-reactivity, allowing individuals to respond to stressors with greater calmness and clarity.
• Multiple Intelligences Theory: Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences includes bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, which relates to the capacity to use one’s body skillfully and handle objects effectively. This is akin to somatic intelligence in its recognition of the body’s knowledge.
• Attachment Theory and Self-Psychology: Somatic theory also draws from attachment theory and self-psychology, suggesting that our bodily experiences can influence our behavior and decision-making processes.
• Neuroscience: Contemporary neuroscience has contributed to the understanding of somatic intelligence by exploring how the brain and body work together to process emotions and cognitions.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

In conclusion, somatic intelligence emerges as a profound and nuanced form of knowledge that transcends the traditional confines of cognitive understanding. It is the silent language of the body, whispering its wisdom through each movement and sensation. As we navigate through the complexities of the modern world, recognizing and honing this intrinsic ability can lead to a more harmonious existence, both within ourselves and in our interactions with others.

By embracing the full spectrum of our somatic experiences, we can unlock a deeper level of empathy, resilience, and authenticity. May we continue to explore the rich tapestry of somatic intelligence and integrate its teachings into our daily lives, fostering a more connected and embodied society.

For those seeking to delve further into this captivating subject, the journey does not end here. The body’s intelligence is an ever-unfolding story, one that invites us to remain curious, open, and engaged with our innermost selves. As we close this exploratory article, let us carry forward the spirit of inquiry and the courage to listen to the subtle, yet powerful, language of our bodies.

Last Update: January 21, 2026

Resources:

Damasio, Antonio (2005). Descartes’ Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain. Penguin Books; Reprint edition. ISBN-10: ‎014303622X
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Gilbert, Marion (2013). Somatic Intelligence: What Our Bodies Know. The Narrative Enneagram. Published: 12-17-2013; Accessed: 5-5-2022. Website: https://www.narrativeenneagram.org/somatic-intelligence-bodies-know/
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Graham, Linda (2013). Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being. New World Library; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 1608681297
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Heller, Lawrence; LaPierre, Aline (2012). Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship. North Atlantic Books; 1st edition. ISBN-10: 1583944893
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Koch, Liz (2012). Core Awareness, Revised Edition: Enhancing Yoga, Pilates, Exercise, and Dance. North Atlantic Books; Revised ed. edition. ISBN: 9781583945018
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Murphy, T. Franklin (2019). Focusing On Feeling. Psychology Fanatic. Published: 3-10-2019; Accessed: 5-7-2022. Website: https://psychologyfanatic.com/focusing-on-feeling/
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Murphy, T. Franklin (2016). Feeling: the Experience of Living. Psychology Fanatic. Published: 2-2016. Accessed: 5-5-2022. Website: https://psychologyfanatic.com/feeling-life/
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Murphy, T. Franklin (2018) Emotional Integration. Psychology Fanatic. Published: 12-1-2018; Accessed: 5-6-2022. Website: https://psychologyfanatic.com/integrating-emotions/
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Siegel, Daniel J. (2012). Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology: An Integrative Handbook of the Mind (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology). W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN-10: 039370713X; APA Record: 2012-04054-000
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Strozzi-Heckler, Richard (2014). The Art of Somatic Coaching: Embodying Skillful Action, Wisdom, and Compassion. ‎ North Atlantic Books; Illustrated edition. ISBN-10: 9781583946732
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Van der Kolk, Bessel (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books; Illustrated edition. ISBN-10: 1101608307; APA Record: 2014-44678-000
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