Somatic and Integrative Wellness Practices

A Day in Practice

There is no cookie-cutter approach to somatic and integrative wellness practices. Each person arrives with a different history, a different relationship to their body, and a different way of understanding what they are carrying. When we stay responsive to that, the work naturally takes different forms.

Today was a clear reflection of that.

Writing as a Somatic Practice

The morning began with a client who needed to write. Writing gives her a sense of grounding and continuity. It allows her to take the thoughts she has been holding and shape them into a story she can sit with, rather than feeling overwhelmed by them. As the words take form on the page, her body settles enough for her to stay present with the pain she is describing. Writing, for her, becomes a way of listening more closely to herself.

Movement and Gentle Touch in Body-Based Work

The next session unfolded differently. This client needed to connect with herself through movement and gentle touch. Through small, intentional movements, she began to notice how stress had been living in her body and how much effort it had taken to hold it there. As she slowed down and paid attention to sensation, awareness emerged without forcing or analysis.

As this awareness developed, insight followed naturally. She began to recognize that she did not have to meet the situation creating stress in the same way she always had. Rather than pushing toward a response or decision, her body was communicating a need for comfort as she adjusted to changes already taking place. Movement became a way of processing experience directly, without having to explain it.

EFT and Bilateral Eye Movement in Somatic Practice

Later in the day, another client needed support that helped her remain present while noticing patterns that had been shaping her responses for a long time. We worked with EFT alongside bilateral eye movement, both commonly used within somatic practices to support engagement while maintaining orientation. The alternating rhythm helped her stay connected to her body as sensations and emotions surfaced, allowing her to remain with the experience rather than bracing against it.

Reiki and Breathwork as Integrative Wellness Modalities

The final session of the day focused on Reiki and breathwork. This work required very little conversation. Attention shifted toward breath, sensation, and subtle changes as the session progressed. Reiki offered nonverbal support, while breathwork provided a way to gently engage with what was present in the body. Together, these practices created space for release and integration without effort or direction.

Why Integrative, Body-Based Practices Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

Each of these sessions looked different because each person needed something different. Writing, movement-based practices, EFT with bilateral eye movement, Reiki, and breathwork are not interchangeable. They meet people in different places and support different stages of experience. The common thread is not the modality itself, but the ability to listen closely and respond to what is actually needed in the moment.

This is the nature of integrative, body-based work. Understanding does not always arrive through words. Change often begins when the body is given the opportunity to participate. When that happens, the process becomes less about pushing for outcomes and more about creating the conditions for something new to emerge.

There is no single path forward. There is only the practice of paying attention, staying responsive, and meeting each person where they are.

This work is not a substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment. It is offered as a complementary, body-based approach that supports awareness and integration.

Healing Arts Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offers integrative, body-based practices approached with care, intention, and responsiveness to each individual. Sessions are available in person and virtually, depending on the modality.

To explore availability or schedule a session, you can book directly through Vagaro:
👉 https://www.vagaro.com/healingartscenter