What is Somatic Shaking?
Shaking is a staple in many somatic therapists’ toolkits. It might feel strange or even a little silly at first (it certainly did for me), but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this simple tool work wonders.
Shaking is exactly what it sounds like: intentionally encouraging your body to shake in order to release tension.
Various forms of shaking and other spontaneous movement practices have been used for centuries in healing traditions worldwide. Yet, this concept has only recently gained popularity in Western psychotherapy.
A useful way to understand shaking is to look at animals in the wild. Imagine a scene from a nature documentary: a lion is chasing a gazelle. The gazelle runs for its life, fully aware of its danger. Then, at the last moment, the lion is distracted, and the gazelle escapes. Having just experienced a near brush with death, the gazelle pauses, catches its breath, and begins to shake from head to hoof. This shaking acts like a nervous system reset, allowing the gazelle to discharge the intense energy of the fight-or-flight response, so it can return to a calm, regulated state.
Humans have this same instinct to release stress, but over time, many of us have learned to suppress it. This simple, natural act of shaking can help us discharge stress, return to balance, release tension, and find a greater sense of calm.
This video introduces three different methods of intentional shaking. I invite you to practice along with me and see which method feels best to your body today.
How should I use this practice?
This exercise can be helpful for:
Relieving feelings of stress, nervousness, anxiety, or agitation by encouraging a nervous system “reset”
Preparing for relaxation at the end of a workday or before bedtime
Warming up and releasing physical tension before a singing practice
Finding regulation before a performance, audition, or other big event
Releasing built-up physical or emotional tension after a challenging conversation or experience
Grounding yourself when feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or disconnected from your body
Boosting focus and energy levels if you’re feeling sluggish or mentally “stuck”
Shaking in SomaSong
Shaking is a fantastic way to begin a SomaSong practice. The point of our somatic warm-ups is to help you come into the present, connect your mind to your body, and start to relieve physical tension that could impact your singing. Shaking is a short, easy way to begin all of those processes. If you only have time for one somatic warm-up before singing, shaking might be my number one pick.
So go ahead and give this video a try, and see which version of shaking feels best to you today!
Timestamps
Intro: 0:0-1:28
Classic Shaking Exercise: 1:29-3:19
Rest, Reset, Check In: 3:20-3:40
Tension-Induced Shaking Exercise: 3:41-5:01
Rest, Reset, Check In: 5:02-5:22
Rhythmic Bouncing/Heel Drops: 5:23-6:40
Rest, Reset, Check In, and Outro: 6:41-8:04
