What is somatic therapy?
What is somatic therapy?
Ever feel like you're carrying around a backpack full of stress, past experiences, and weird tension in your shoulders that won’t quit? That’s because your body literally holds onto everything - stress, trauma, emotions, and all those times you bit your tongue instead of speaking up.
Enter somatic therapy, a game-changing approach to healing that works with your body instead of just talking about your problems.
At Gelous Spa in Calgary, we don’t just do offer your run-of-the-mill massages. We take things deeper with Somatic Healing, Subconscious Imprinting Technique (SIT), and a trauma-informed approach-helping you move past whatever’s been keeping you stuck. And bonus: many sessions can be partially covered under massage benefits, so you get all the magic with less financial stress.
What Even Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is based on the idea that your body keeps the score (yes, just like the book). Every experience you’ve had-good, bad, or “let’s never talk about that again”- is stored in your nervous system. Traditional talk therapy and counselling is great, but if you want to fully release deep-rooted stress, anxiety, trauma, or those weird aches that come out of nowhere, you’ve gotta get the entire body involved.
This work can help with:
Chronic stress and anxiety (no, it’s not just in your head)
Emotional trauma and subconscious blocks
Tension and pain that won’t go away
Feeling disconnected from yourself
Reprogramming old beliefs that are keeping you stuck
How Does It Work? (AKA What Happens in a Session?)
Let’s break it down:
1. Rewiring the Nervous System
If you’re always in go-go-go mode (hello, stress hormones), somatic therapy helps shift you into a calmer, regulated state. We use breathwork, guided awareness, and touch-based techniques to get you out of fight-or-flight and back into rest-and-reset mode.
2. Releasing Stored Trauma
Your body is basically a vault that keeps all the unresolved emotions and stress locked away. Over time, that tension can show up as skin issues, chronic pain, stiffness, digestive issues, or even emotional numbness. Through movement, touch, and guided awareness, we help you release what’s been stuck.
3. Subconscious Imprinting (SIT)
Ever feel like you keep repeating the same patterns-whether in relationships, weight issues, food and alcohol, business, or how you see yourself? That’s your subconscious running on outdated programming. SIT helps uncover and rewrite those limiting beliefs, so you can finally shift out of those cycles for good.
How Somatic Therapy & Massage Work Together
At Gelous Spa, we mix somatic healing, subconscious imprinting, AND massage therapy for a next-level experience. If a regular massage is like putting a bandaid on stress, this is like fully healing the wound.
What we offer:
Somatic Massage – A personalized approach where we work with your body’s cues to help you release deep-held tension and emotions.
Subconscious Imprinting (SIT) Sessions – Helping you break free from limiting beliefs that have been holding you back for years.
Breathwork & Nervous System Regulation – Because sometimes you need more than deep breathing apps on your phone.
Energy Work & Emotional Release Techniques – Getting you out of your head and back into your body.
Common Questions Answered
“Is this covered under massage benefits?” Yes and no. The hands-on massage portion is often covered under your massage benefits, but subconscious imprinting and deeper trauma work is not. If you're not sure, reach out, and we can help figure it out.
“Will it be painful?” Nope. Somatic therapy is all about staying within your comfort level. You’re in control, and we adjust everything to what feels good for you.
“Do I have to get undressed?” For somatic healing and subconscious imprinting, you stay fully clothed. For the somatic massage, you undress to your comfort level and are always properly draped. We recommend wearing a tank top and shorts if you feel uncomfortable.
“What if I feel emotional during or after the session?” Totally normal! Releasing stored emotions can sometimes bring up all the feels. We provide a safe space for whatever comes up, and we’ll guide you through the process.
Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?
If you’re reading this thinking, Wow, this sounds exactly like what I need, then yes-it’s for you. Whether you’re dealing with stress, emotional baggage, trauma, or just feeling off, somatic therapy can help you get back to yourself in a way that’s both gentle and powerful.
Book Your Somatic Healing Session Today
Ready to experience somatic healing, subconscious imprinting, or a session that blends it all? Book your appointment at Gelous Spa today at gelousspa.ca or DM us on Instagram to chat.
Your body knows the way to healing-let’s work together to get you there.
