Somatic Practices with Kristen Toth

"Somatic Practices: Doorway to Embodiment and Trauma Healing" with Kristen Toth *** About the free Embodied Dialogue Series and how to register and join us live: https://janwinhall.com/product/free-monthly-meetup/ This event's page: https://janwinhall.com/media/eds-kristen-toth/ *** In today’s episode, we come together in a spirit of community, reflection, and deep connection as we explore the world of somatic practices with my wonderful guest, Kristen Toth. This episode is a special one. We begin with some heartfelt sharing, honoring the profound legacy of my beloved focusing teacher, Mary Armstrong, and reflecting on how our teachers carry wisdom through our bodies and our work. From there, Kristen and I delve into how body-based practices move beyond tools and techniques, and into real relationship with our bodies—honoring their natural wisdom and unique language. Together, we discuss the importance of compassion, the power of co-regulation, and how somatic practices can help us heal from trauma and addiction, not by fixing ourselves, but by tuning in and honoring our lived experience. Kristen even guides us through a gentle, hands-on practice that you can try along with us. We open the floor for questions and heartfelt stories from our participants about what it means to trust the wisdom of the body, to cope with loss, and to find support in community and partnership. Whether you’re new to somatics or continuing your healing journey, there’s a lot in this conversation to inspire and nurture you. So settle in, breathe deeply, and join us for this rich and compassionate dialogue. Chapter Overview 00:00 Honoring Lineage and Somatic Grief Jan opens with a heartfelt tribute to her teacher, Mary Armstrong, and guides the group in a grounding practice focused on gratitude for lineage and embodied presence. Exploring the emotional connection between somatic practice, grief, and honoring our mentors. 05:40 Shifting Paradigms: From Mechanistic to Relational Somatics Jan and Kristen discuss the Western approach to the body, emphasizing the transformative power of listening to the body’s innate wisdom versus seeing it as a machine to control or fix. Challenging traditional models and underscoring the necessity of a compassionate, relationship-based somatic approach. 12:10 The Language of the Body & Felt Sense Jan and Kristen dive into how the body communicates—through sensation, movement, imagery, and metaphor—discussing Gendlin’s concept of “felt sense” and the revolutionary nature of self-knowing. Empowering listeners to trust their embodied experiences and challenge external authority. 19:20 Starting Simple: Practical Somatic Exercises Kristen leads a gentle hand-rubbing practice, demonstrating how small, accessible movements can help cultivate awareness, safety, and resource within the body. Introducing concrete somatic tools to ease into more profound self-connection. 26:42 Normalizing Individual Somatic Responses Jan and Kristen address why somatic practices don’t always work instantly, and the importance of honoring personal nervous system responses and recognizing the need for patience, repetition, and self-compassion. De-pathologizing trauma survival strategies and helping listeners understand their unique journeys. 32:02 Natural Somatic Practices and Attunement The discussion highlights how people often somatically regulate themselves without formal instruction, and how formal practices can build body awareness and trust, deepening the relationship with self. Encouraging both natural and guided somatic exploration as valid paths to healing. 44:13 Co-Regulation, Community, and the Power of Group Practice Participants share lived experiences of healing through community, focusing partnerships, and the significance of co-regulation. Emphasizing that somatic transformation is amplified in supportive groups and partnerships. 01:02:45 Free Somatic Practice Class Online Connect with Kristen Toth here: Website: https://ourembodiedhealing.com/ Community: https://ourembodiedhealing.circle.so/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourembodiedhealing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ourembodiedhealing.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristenmarietoth *** About the free Embodied Dialogue Series and how to register and join us live: https://janwinhall.com/product/free-monthly-meetup/ *** #polyvagal #polyvagaltheory #trauma #traumahealing #traumainformed #somatic #somaticexperiencing #focusing #feltsensepolyvagalmodel #addiction #addictionrecovery #feltsense #embodiment #traumaresponse #neuroaffectivetouch #sensorimotorpsychotherapy #embodiment #traumaresponse #interpersonalneurobiology #janwinhall #therapeuticpresence #deeplistening #coregulation #therapy, #safety #emotionalregulation #attachment #recovery #authenticity #somatics #emotionalconnection #traumatherapy #somatichealing #therapistlife #HealingJourney