Somatic Self-Love: A Radical Reclamation of Body and Self

When a woman revels in the pleasure of her own skin, she stakes a claim on her own expression, separate from the gaze of others. This fundamental shift in her existence is nothing less than a bold proclamation of somatic self-love.

The Concept of Somatic Self-Love

Somatic self-love is a term coined by Daniella Matutes, a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and female positivity. At its core, somatic self-love is about embracing the body as a site of personal power and self-expression, and it’s a concept that has the potential to revolutionize how women relate to themselves and their bodies.

Research has shown that our perception of our bodies can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional health. A study by Alleva et al. (2015) found that body appreciation predicts lower levels of depression and higher levels of happiness, self-esteem, and positive affect. Somatic self-love, then, is not just about body positivity—it’s about overall well-being.

The Power of Pleasure

Central to somatic self-love is the concept of pleasure. Pleasure is often marginalized or dismissed as frivolous, but it is a crucial aspect of our lives. The experience of pleasure activates the brain’s reward system, releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins that contribute to feelings of happiness and well-being.

As Berridge and Kringelbach (2015) note in their comprehensive review of the brain’s pleasure systems, pleasure plays a vital role in human survival and well-being. Moreover, they suggest that the capacity to experience pleasure is linked to an individual’s overall mental health.

Somatic self-love posits that by finding pleasure in our bodies—by truly enjoying being in our own skin—we can tap into these brain systems and boost our overall well-being. This is not just about sensory pleasure, but about recognizing and honoring our bodies’ capacity for joy, bliss, and love.

The Gaze of the Outside World

Society often imposes unrealistic beauty standards and expectations on women, leading us to feel disconnected from their bodies. As Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) argue in their Objectification Theory, this constant external gaze can lead to self-objectification, where women come to internalize this outsider’s view and view themselves primarily as objects to be evaluated based on their appearance.

This constant bombardment of external judgements can have detrimental effects on women’s mental health, leading to issues like body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, depression, and low self-esteem. By practicing somatic self-love, women can reclaim their bodies from this external gaze, shifting their focus from how their bodies look to how their bodies feel.

The Act of Rebellion

Somatic self-love is a radical act. It’s a rejection of societal norms and expectations, a refusal to conform to a narrow and often unrealistic ideal of beauty. It’s about embracing one’s unique body and finding joy in its capacities and senses.

This act of rebellion can have profound psychological benefits. Research has shown that non-conformity can be a significant source of self-esteem and personal growth. For instance, a study by Sheldon et al. (2001) found that individuals who resisted societal pressure and pursued personal goals and values reported higher levels of self-esteem and well-being.

Finding Pleasure in Our Bodies Shifts Our Worldview

Somatic self-love is a powerful practice that can help women reclaim their bodies, boost their self-esteem, and improve their overall well-being. It’s a radical act of rebellion against societal norms and expectations, a celebration of the body’s capacity for pleasure and joy.

By finding pleasure in their own skin, women can separate their self-expression from the gaze of others, leading to a profound shift in how they experience their existence. This is the essence of somatic self-love—a bold proclamation of self-love, body appreciation, and personal power.

Somatic Self-Love Journey with Breathwork, Movement, and Integration

The Somatic Self-Love Journey is a practice designed to foster a profound connection between mind and body. It is a ritual to cultivate pleasure, self-appreciation, and to reclaim the body from external perceptions. Here’s a detailed ritual you can explore:

Step 1: Grounding and Breathwork
Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Sit or lie down in a position that feels good to you. Close your eyes and begin to focus on your breath. Take several deep, slow, and intentional breaths. Feel the air filling your lungs, your chest and abdomen rising and falling with each breath. This is your body, living and breathing, in this very moment. Allow your breath to anchor you in the present.

Step 2: Body Scan
Slowly scan your body from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet. Notice any sensations you may be feeling—warmth, coolness, tingling, tension, relaxation. Don’t judge or try to change these sensations, simply observe them. This awareness helps you to become more in tune with your body’s needs and responses.

Step 3: Body Movement
Now, gently begin to incorporate movement, allowing your body to sway, stretch, or shift in any way that feels natural and liberating. This could be as simple as rolling your shoulders, or as expressive as dancing. The goal is not to perform certain movements, but to let your body move freely and intuitively. This practice encourages a deeper connection with your body.

Step 4: Appreciation
Pause and think about all the things your body allows you to do. It lets you move, taste, touch, smell, hear, and see the world around you. Express gratitude to your body for all it does for you, acknowledging its strength and resilience.

Step 5: Pleasure
Now, bring your focus to something that brings you physical pleasure. It could be the feel of a soft blanket, the warmth of the sun on your skin, the taste of your favorite food, or even the sensation of movement you just experienced. Fully immerse yourself in this sensation of pleasure, allowing it to fill your consciousness.

Step 6: Affirmation
Finally, repeat a positive affirmation to yourself, such as “I love and appreciate my body just as it is” or “I am more than how others see me”. This helps to counteract negative self-talk and reinforces the positive feelings you’ve cultivated during this ritual.

Step 7: Integration and Closing
In the closing stage of the ritual, take a few moments to sit with your feelings and experiences. Allow the sensations, emotions, and thoughts to settle. As you conclude, carry with you the sense of self-love, appreciation, and body positivity that you have nurtured. This integration phase is crucial as it allows your experiences during the ritual to permeate your everyday consciousness, reinforcing your journey towards somatic self-love.

Remember, this journey is personal and unique to you. Listen to your body and give it the care, love, and respect it deserves. Each time you engage in this ritual, you claim a little more of your self-expression, separate from how others see you. And that is a bold, beautiful proclamation of somatic self-love.

References

• Alleva, J. M., Martijn, C., Van Breukelen, G. J. P., Jansen, A., & Karos, K. (2015). Body language: Affecting body satisfaction by describing the body in functionality terms. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 39(3), 384-397.
• Berridge, K. C., & Kringelbach, M. L. (2015). Pleasure systems in the brain. Neuron, 86(3), 646-664.
• Fredrickson, B. L., & Roberts, T. A. (1997). Objectification theory.