What Is The Difference Between Shadow Work and Somatic Work?

A lot of people associate shadow work with psychology which is true, the psyche is a big component of where our shadows are hidden. But there is a real kind of shadow work that is the most effective for our healing and that is somatic work. I personally think that shadow work and somatic work are the same thing. But there are some differences that I have come to understand that I would like to share with you in order to understand the practice of shadow work and somatic work better.

Remember that the mind wants to put labels on things. We use words in order to describe our knowledge and experiences. But everything in life really is energy and how we work with energy can be done in different ways and from different approaches.

What Is Shadow Work?

First, we need to understand what shadow work is about. Simply said is shadow work an awareness tool. We bring that which is subconscious to the surface so that we can be conscious of it and so we can see it. It’s about making the unseen seen. And just because something is subconscious doesn’t mean it isn’t there! Just like our own physical shadow, that we see when we stand in the sun is always there, but we don’t notice it unless the sun shines on us (bringing in light).

Looking at shadow work from that point of perspective we can say that anything that we do to become more aware is a form a shadow work. For example, a form of shadow work could be: inner child work, part’s work, voice dialogue, journaling, art therapy, family constellation therapy, working with limiting beliefs, specific meditations focused on awareness, and even hypnosis can be a form of shadow work. And somatic work is also another form of shadow work. For more in dept information about shadow work you can also read my blog ‘Shadow Work 101 for Beginners’.

Is Somatic Work The Complete Form Of Shadow Work?

A big part of doing shadow work is the ability to tap into our subconscious mind. But how do we tap into our subconscious mind?

We all have heard about the mind, body and spirit connection and how they work together as a whole as opposed to being separate. Our subconscious mind and our bodies are also connected and they are basically merged together. In other words, when we tune into our bodies we simultaneously tune into our subconscious mind where the ‘hidden’ shadows are lingering.

In order to tap into our body (somatic work), we need to become aware of our senses (touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing) and especially our sense to FEEL. When we tune into the sensations and emotions in the body then we connect with our subconscious mind and simultaneously we connect with our shadows.

Within somatic work we learn to build capacity to hold space for any difficult sensation that arise in our body and being. Another way of putting this is that in somatic work we are able to process the sensations and emotions that we are experiencing but without forcing those feelings to change (also referred to as emotional processing). We want to let the body lead and naturally release the distress or triggers that we are experiencing. Emotional processing is also somatic work, it is a similar approach to processing sensations or energies from the body and being.

In somatic work, we work with the survival energies (aka trauma) that are stored in our bodies. The body remembers everything that the mind doesn’t have conscious awareness of anymore. And through somatic work we are able to get to the root cause of our problems from deep within our bodies nervous system. And this makes somatic work more of a complete form of shadow work.

Shadow Work vs. Somatic Work

As you now have learnt is that somatic work and shadow work are pretty much the same thing. It’s just that we can do shadow work in different ways. And the real shadow work is done through somatic work.

In somatic work it’s important to build capacity and to hold space for sensations that arise by breathing into different areas within the body or doing other movements. And as we do that we learn to deal with distress in the moment and we learn to release that stress from deep within the body and not hold onto it. And holding onto stress in whatever form leads to disease over time, which is why this work is so important if we want to stay healthy.

In shadow work, just as in somatic work, we want to practice learning how to feel and process those feelings in order to release them. But there is a difference between shadow work and somatic work and that difference is the question ‘why?’. In shadow work we want to know ‘why’ we are feeling the way that we are feeling and what has caused those feelings. (Hint: it is always coming from your childhood which is where the pain originated from). In somatic work we feel what we are feeling, we allow those feelings to be there, but we are not necessary seeking what’s underneath. And we don’t always need to know what is underneath. We just have to feel the feelings by acknowledging it, not judge it and be present with it in order to release it.

However, within somatic work there will be times that memories come up and where the subconscious mind is bringing in more cognitive awareness and so the ‘why’ comes up naturally without seeking it so much. Which is also the case in shadow work, sometimes the ‘why’ pops up naturally. There is no precise way of doing this work, this is fluid work and we have to learn how to ride the waves in order to create true healing.

Do We Need Other Healing Tools If We Do Shadow Work?

Another distinguish we need to make is that there are different ways to heal trauma and we need those tools at different times in our lives. For example, doing yoga, breathwork or changing our diet, will support us in our healing journey and those are valid healing tools to use, but it isn’t a form of shadow work. It all together will create an overall improvement in one’s wellbeing. There is no better or worse tool since they are all valid at specific times.

Different Branches Within Shadow Work

We can look at shadow work as the overall main theme at the top of our healing practice. And within shadow work there are different branches, which are the tools for healing and self-awareness, to choose from. Somatic work is one of those branches but one of the most effective branches of doing shadow work.

To summarize, when we want to do shadow work we want to tap into our subconscious mind and we want to do that through our feelings that arise within our bodies (somatic work). So, as we tune into our physical body, we can tune into the sensations and emotions that are there and this is the doorway to the subconscious mind. And releasing the stored survival energies will lead to nervous system regulation and improved health over time.

One way or another it is important to release survival energies/trauma from ourselves to become lighter and to bring in higher consciousness. When we can access higher consciousness, we can become aware individuals. And fast forward, with more awakened individuals we can create an awakened society that lives in harmony and in balance with nature and each other.

Until next time.

With Love, Naomi

P.s. you may also like to read ‘3 Important Shadow Work Mistakes you want to avoid…’ and ‘How to use Shadow Work for Manifestation?’

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