How to Release Stuck Emotions Through Somatic Practices
Why We Feel Stuck
Many people come to me feeling deeply stuck. Despite their efforts—whether through talk therapy, personal development, or mindfulness—they find themselves revisiting the same patterns of anxiety, disconnection, or emotional overwhelm.
For those who recognize the impact of childhood trauma or CPTSD, the frustration is even greater. You understand the origins of your pain, but understanding alone hasn’t brought the relief you’re seeking. That’s because true healing often requires more than intellectual awareness—it requires accessing the body, where these experiences are stored.
Somatic inner work offers a transformative way forward. By learning how to connect with the emotional sensations in your body, you can begin to release the tension and trauma that have kept you stuck.
What Are Stuck Emotions?
Emotions don’t simply disappear when they’re ignored or suppressed—they live on in the body. When we experience overwhelming events or traumas, our bodies naturally respond by bracing, tightening, or freezing to protect us. Over time, these unprocessed emotions can manifest as physical sensations, such as:
Tightness in the chest.
Heaviness in the belly.
A lump in the throat.
Tension in the shoulders or jaw.
These sensations are the body’s way of holding onto unresolved experiences. They act as markers, pointing us toward what needs attention and care.
How Somatic Inner Work Helps Release Emotions
Somatic inner work is a practice of deeply connecting with your body to access and release these stored emotions. Unlike talk therapy, which focuses on understanding your experiences through thought and language, somatic inner work invites you to feel and process emotions through the body.
Here’s how the process works:
Feeling Without Judgment: You begin by placing your attention on the physical sensations of an emotion in your body. Instead of analyzing or resisting, you simply allow yourself to feel it.
Using Breath to Deepen Presence: As you stay with the sensation, you use intentional breathing to support and soften the experience.
Allowing Integration and Release: By staying present with the sensation, you create the conditions for your body to process and release the emotion naturally.
This process not only helps you let go of stuck emotions but also reconnects you with your body’s innate wisdom.
Beyond Release: Gaining Insights and Resolution
Somatic inner work doesn’t stop at releasing emotions. It also provides a pathway to explore the subconscious and access deeper healing. Through practices like:
Parts work and inner child healing: You can meet and understand the wounded parts of yourself, offering them the care and validation they need.
Corrective experiences: By embracing self-acceptance and compassion, you can rewrite the stories of judgment or inadequacy that have held you back.
Integrating insights: As you release and process, new clarity and understanding often arise, helping you move forward with greater ease and alignment.
These steps help transform stuck emotions into opportunities for growth and resolution.
Practical Steps to Start Releasing Stuck Emotions
If you’re ready to explore somatic inner work, here’s a simple practice you can try:
Find a Quiet Space: Sit or lie down somewhere comfortable where you won’t be disturbed.
Scan Your Body: Close your eyes and bring your attention to your body. Notice any areas of tension, tightness, or discomfort.
Focus on the Sensation: Choose one area to focus on. What does the sensation feel like? Is it warm or cool? Heavy or light? Does it have a shape, color, or texture?
Breathe Into It: Take slow, deep breaths. Imagine your breath moving into and around the sensation. Stay present with it, allowing it to shift, intensify, or fade naturally.
Stay Curious: If memories, images, or thoughts arise, allow them to be there without judgment. Let your body guide the process.
Start with just a few minutes a day, and notice how your relationship with your body begins to change.
An Invitation to Explore Somatic Work
Learning to release stuck emotions is a profound act of self-compassion. While the process may feel unfamiliar at first, it offers a powerful way to reconnect with your body and unlock lasting transformation.
If you’re curious about how somatic inner work can help you, I invite you to explore more about my sessions and resources. Your body already holds the wisdom to heal—sometimes, you just need a little guidance to create the space.
