Introduction/Episode Overview:

In this episode of the Power Up Podcast, we dive deep into the world of somatic therapy with Sanna Atherton.

With over 20 years of experience in the field, Sanna shares her unique insights into how somatic techniques, particularly breathwork, can help heal emotional wounds, reduce stress, and promote overall mental well-being.

We explore the difference between traditional talk therapy and somatic therapy, the science behind why the body plays such a crucial role in emotional healing, along with practical tools you can start using today.

Whether you're a believer in holistic practices or a sceptic, this episode promises to challenge your assumptions and provide valuable insights into the power of the body and breath.

Topics Discussed:

1. Sanna’s story, journey and philosophy

2. Techniques used in Somatic therapy

3. The application of somatic therapy and issues it can help address

4. Practical somatic breathwork tools to reduce strain and release trauma

Key Reflections:

• Somatic breathwork helps us process and release strain that traditional talk therapy might not reach.

• Your body knows best.

• Become your own trusted guide.

• Healing is a journey within, using the body as a bridge to the mind.

• Somatic therapy bridges the gap between mind and body, addressing trauma at its roots.

• The body doesn’t lie; it holds our past experiences and traumas.

• Healing involves not just the mind but also reconnecting with the wisdom of the body.

• Breathwork is a tool to release tension and re-centre ourselves, a practice for realignment.

• Trauma doesn’t disappear on its own; the body needs to process it to fully heal.

Useful further reading:

• "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk – A foundational book on how trauma impacts the body and the importance of body-centred therapies.
•  "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma" by Peter A. Levine – Explores somatic experiencing and how trauma is stored in the body.
• "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art" by James Nestor – A deep dive into the science and power of breathwork for health and healing.
• "In an Unspoken Voice" by Peter A. Levine – Examines how the body and mind heal trauma through somatic experiences.