what is Strozzi Somatics? a deep dive into somatic transformation and its benefits for marginalized bodies

for many of us in the queer and neurodivergent communities, we have spent our lives navigating a world that wasn’t built for our nervous systems. we often survive by living disconnected from the neck down to stay safe.

while talk therapy is an incredible tool for understanding why we feel the way we do, it often stops at the level of intellectual insight. you might know exactly why you mask your autism or why you feel anxious in social settings, yet your body continues to react with the same heart-pounding intensity.

this is where somatic coaching, bodywork, and the Strozzi Somatics methodology come in. it is the bridge between knowing your story and actually living a different one.

what is the soma?

popularized by Thomas Hanna, the word somatics comes from the Greek word soma, which translates to “the living body in its wholeness.” in this work, we do not view the body as a machine or a biological “meat-suit” you carry around. the soma is the unity of sensing, feeling, relating, thinking, and acting—your embodied self.

somatics is more than just talk therapy: it is a process of engaging the whole living body in the healing process. my approach interweaves these elements to shift the automatic survival patterns that have become stuck in your nervous system. we aren’t just talking about your problems; we are working with the “felt-sense” of your resilience and creating new habits through somatic practices to change how you exist in the world.

the rigor of somatic transformation

somatic transformation isn’t a quick fix or a new age trend; it is a rigorous, embodied process of change informed by neuroscience and coaching. we define it as: the ability to act aligned with your values, even under old pressures.

the politicized Strozzi Somatics methodology acknowledges that transformation isn’t only an individual task, as our bodies are shaped by social norms. this methodology is built on three vital pillars, grounded in our systemic context and held by the restorative well of spirit and landscape:

1. somatic awareness — increasing your awareness is vital because your feelings and sensations provide essential information about your needs and boundaries. for many neurodivergent folks, interoception (sensing internal signals) has been dampened by years of survival. i gently invite you to feel your body at the pace of trust—the pace that works for you. the more you can feel and tolerate, the more aligned action you can take. embodied awareness makes explicit the automatic survival patterns as they happen, rather than after the fact.
2. somatic practices — we are and become what we habitually practice. our nervous systems are composed of well-worn paths of habit. research suggests it takes roughly 300 repetitions to create a new habit, and 3,000 repetitions to create new embodiment—where the new skill becomes your automatic response under pressure. in our sessions, we weave together coaching conversation with somatic practices rooted in Aikido, meditation, and other modalities. together and as homework (or rather, “home-play”), we practice towards your specific goals to create new, sustainable competencies.
3. somatic opening — if practices are the seeds, opening is how we “till the soil” of your soma. we softly help your body release stuck emotions and chronic contractions that no longer serve you. during somatic bodywork or coaching, i may ask: “what might these contractions be taking care of? and what do they need to hear to let go?” by holding these protective patterns with kindness and curiosity, we support the softening of your body, making room for new skills to take root and new ways of being to grow.
4. systemic context — this is what makes this work politicized. our bodies have been shaped by socio-political norms like misogyny, cisheteronormativity, and neuronormativity. this shaping dictates how much physical and emotional space you feel allowed to take up, how loud you speak, or how freely you allow yourself to stim. by becoming aware of this shaping, you can reclaim your space and dignity, and begin to “shape back” these systems. and the larger the systems, the more people we need to shape them back—that’s why Strozzi Somatics is often used to support organizers and activists. this is why somatic transformation is a radical act of liberation—it isn’t just individual; it’s political.
5. spirit and landscape — spirit and landscape represent that which is larger than us—the ancestral, the ecological, and the mysterious. whether you find meaning in spiritual practice or in the silent resilience of the mountains, forests, and sea, this is the well from which we draw our deepest strength. it is the constant that holds us, even within the complexity of our sociopolitical and oppressive conditions.

how we work together

through a blend of somatic coaching and bodywork, we align your posture, actions, and boundaries with your deepest values. we move beyond fixing symptoms and toward building a body that can hold and embody the life you want to live. by creating a powerful declaration—that captures your vision of a future you long for—we then choose practices you need to embody to get there, and work with protective patterns to move toward your new embodied shape. this work helps you shift from a body that is reacting to a body that has the choice to respond.

sessions support you with:

• feeling and tolerating difficult emotions without shutting down;
• acting aligned with your values, even when you feel judged;
• staying centered and grounded under systemic or personal pressure;
• setting clear boundaries while staying connected to others;
• knowing who you are and what truly matters to you.

whether we meet in Tallinn, Estonia, or through online sessions, we focus on your holistic embodied transformation.

ready to move toward your longing?

you deserve to move through the world as a landscape of radical expression and aliveness, not just as a strategy for survival. if you are ready to explore how somatics can support your journey of unmasking and reclamation, i am here. explore my somatic services and book a session here!