Why Somatic Awareness Matters in Coaching, Leadership, and Pretty Much Everywhere Else
There’s a funny thing about wisdom: we often think it lives somewhere “up there,” in the lofty, logical corridors of our minds. Allow me to let you in on a little secret—your body is way smarter than you think. In fact, it is usually the first to know when something is wrong, right, or downright ridiculous.
As a coach, I’ve seen it numerous times and diverse situations: a client will come to a session with a challenge that’s all tangled up in their head. They’ll talk circles around the issue, analyzing every angle, until finally, I’ll ask: “What is happening in your body as you talk about this dilemma/situation?” Cue the pause. Often a long one, if this approach is new to the client. Sometimes their face scrunches up like I’ve just asked them to explain quantum physics. Other times, the answer comes fast: “It’s this knot in my stomach” or “I didn’t realize, but my shoulders are practically glued to my ears!” And just like that, we’re onto something real.
The truth is, our bodies are incredible storytellers. They hold our stress, our joy, and even the things we’d rather not admit to ourselves. They have been holding it for years, or decades. Somatic awareness—the practice of tuning into what your body is telling you—isn’t just some woo-woo, new-age trend; it’s a practical and powerful tool for transformation, for healing, for seeing what is true and real.
For a long time, we have been taught to separate the brain from the body (due to various historical and societal reasons, which I explore here). In professional and executive settings especially, the message is clear: lead with your intellect. Strategy, analysis, and logic reign supreme. And while there often is a lot of value in sharp thinking, there’s a quiet truth we often overlook—our bodies know more than we give them credit for.
In the coaching world, we call this somatic wisdom: the practice of tuning into the sensations, signals, and stories your body holds. And if you’re rolling your eyes thinking this is better suited to yoga retreats than boardrooms, hear me out—your body’s insights could be the competitive edge you’ve been missing.
Perhaps, ironically, I have been involved with many disciplines that can be called “somatic” throughout my life, yet I have not used that word in any explicit or intentional manner for almost as long. Close to 4 decades of yoga. About 15 years of martial arts. Shiatsu massage. Various breathwork and meditation practices. Qigong. Movement and dance. Cycling, swimming, and various other fitness modalities. Yet, for most of my life, I didn’t always trust my body’s wisdom (this is the irony part). Typical to my Enneagram 8 patterns, I tried to muscle my way through challenges, leaning hard on logic and willpower. But my body had a way of throwing the truth at me, whether I wanted to hear it or not. A stiff neck after a tough conversation? My body telling me, “Hey, you’re holding back.” A tight jaw? “What in my current reality I am not accepting as it is?” A flutter of excitement in my belly, or a softening of the heart, before saying yes to something big? That is my body cheering me on, even when my mind is still second-guessing.
Eventually, it all coalesced when I came across the Deep Coaching Institute and their Presence-Based Coaching Certification Program (the fact that it was Enneagram-based was an added bonus). Here, I was able to listen to my body and the clear and fairly loud YES to take it. Through this program, I was able to bring together and integrate the many somatic modalities I have been learning and using throughout my life.
In coaching, somatic wisdom is the game-changer that gets you out of analysis paralysis and into authentic action. It is currently evolving into the new frontier in coaching (and not in coaching only). It’s not just about thinking your way forward—it’s about feeling it, too; even more so, we are diving even deeper into the domain of sensing. And yes, it’s as simple (and profound) as noticing the tension in your jaw during a difficult decision or the lightness in your chest when you’re aligned with your values.
Somatic work can be messy as we tap into the wisdom of our body, including neurobiology, vagus nerve, nervous systems, and even cellular memories. It can also be funny, too. (Ever tried to take yourself seriously while lying on the floor breathing like a confused fish? It really works.) But humour aside, this practice grounds us in the present moment and invites us to listen to the quiet, insistent voice of our bodies—a voice that often whispers the truth before we’re ready to hear it.
So, whether you’re navigating a tough career choice, working through a sticky personal issue, or just trying to figure out why you’re always so damn tired, start by checking in with your body. What is it saying? Where’s the tension—or the ease? Because when you invite your body into the conversation, you open the door to a deeper kind of wisdom—one that doesn’t just think but knows. And that, my friends, is where the magic happens.
The Power of Somatic Awareness in Leadership
Take a client I worked with—a high-performing executive at a tech company. Let’s call him Michael. Michael came to me stressed, stuck, and spinning his wheels over a critical decision about restructuring his team. He had spreadsheets, forecasts, and performance metrics galore, but no clarity.
When I asked him how the decision felt in his body, he blinked at me, baffled. “I haven’t really thought about that,” he admitted. So, I guided him through a simple somatic exercise: closing his eyes, breathing deeply, getting present to his body and posture, and noticing any physical sensations as he imagined each restructuring scenario.
When he pictured one particular option—one that prioritized collaboration over hierarchy—his chest expanded, his shoulders relaxed, and his breath flowed more easily. It was subtle but unmistakable: his body was telling him this path aligned with his values and vision. Armed with this new awareness, Michael made the decision confidently—and with remarkable results.
The Role of the Body in Conflict Resolution
Now, let’s talk about Sarah, a CEO grappling with a workplace conflict between two senior team managers. Every conversation about the issue left her exhausted and frustrated, and despite her best efforts, the situation wasn’t improving.
When Sarah brought this situation to a coaching session, I asked her to describe how her body responded during these tense meetings. She quickly identified a tightness in her throat and a weight in her stomach. These sensations, we discovered, weren’t just random—they were her body’s way of signalling unspoken emotions: frustration and fear of confrontation.
Through somatic work, Sarah practiced softening her body’s tension and grounding herself before these discussions. She also learned to tune into others’ body language for cues. This shift allowed her to approach the conflict with more openness and empathy, ultimately leading to a resolution.
Why All This Matters
In professional and executive settings, somatic awareness is more than a mindfulness buzzword—it’s a leadership superpower. It helps you tap into deeper truths, regulate your emotions, and connect authentically with others. It allows a coach who is fluent in Somatic Coaching guide their clients to insights and clarity faster and in ways that are infinitely more impactful and transformative.
So, the next time you’re navigating a high-pressure situation, remember this: your body is always talking. The question is, are you listening? And when you do, you might just find that the solutions you’ve been chasing with your brain have been waiting patiently in your chest, your gut, or even your fingertips.
Because when mind and body work together, the result isn’t just better decisions—it’s better everything.