Mindful Somantic Awareness for Anxiety Relief

The auther Michele L. Blume brings an interesting somatic perspective to anxiety, a notable shift away from cognitive based theories. Drawing on her credentials as a psychologist, somatic experiencing (SEP) practitioner, Reiki practitioner, and EMDR-trained therapist, Blume emphasizes that "fear doesn’t begin with your thoughts—it begins in the body.”

The primary model used in the book is the SOAR model—Sense, Observe, Articulate, Reflect. Which is a flexible, step-by-step framework that helps readers tune into their physical sensations, name them, and thoughtfully process their emotional undercurrents. She utilizes case studies to show how the model works and how sometimes exploring our childhood through the lens of the body, might actually be worth the effort of going back in time to discover the root of it.

She attempts to make neurobiolgy accessible to any reader in order to help them understand their experiences and anxiety responses. She covers the autonomic and limbic systems and left‑ vs. right‑brain dynamic, and then ties these to somatic triggers and emotional patterns. Useful concepts like "over‑coupling" (where body cues from old memories trigger modern anxiety) and "dual awareness" (holding awareness of both past-triggered sensations and present context) enrich the narrative and express the complexity of our unique anxiety experiences.

If you have found that cognitive based therapies have not been useful on your journey to understanding and managing your anxiety, you may benefit from this body based approach.