With the new popularity of Somatics – it is fast becoming a word used generically for almost anything to do with the body – which is not entirely accurate.
Yoga, for example, has the potential to be somatic. Indeed, the origin of yoga with Patajali’s sutras was completely somatic. Yoga in this context literally means ‘union’ (of body mind spirit). However, the western appropriation of yoga has resulted in some modern yoga offerings becoming merely a fitness exercise or sport, where the mind-spirit involvement is not emphasised at all. In this case, the yoga practice is not necessarily somatic, but more like the mechanical execution of movements for physical training.
Somatics depends on a degree of embodied awareness in movement. This means being tuned in and present with the felt sense of experiencing oneself seamlessly through the body (without a limited identification with the body).
So, not all yoga is somatic.
It will depend on who, and how you are being through the yoga movement.
If you’d like to deepen your yoga practice to ensure a full somatic experience, sign up for a few one-to-one coaching sessions to guide your growth.