In a society that prizes keeping it all together, somatic shaking invites us to let it all go.
This practice may look a little wild – your body trembling, muscles twitching, breath deepening – but it taps into something primal, healing, and deeply human. Also known as neurogenic tremoring or shaking therapy, somatic shaking is a therapeutic way to release tension, discharge stress, and reconnect to the body in a safe, supported way.
Somatic shaking reminds us that healing isn’t always stillness . . . it can also be movement. In a world that asks us to stay composed, this practice gives permission to unravel, to release, to let the body speak in its own language.
In a world that asks us to stay composed, this practice gives permission to unravel, to release, to let the body speak in its own language.
Through trembling, bouncing, and pulsing, we can return to a state of flow. We learn that emotions can move, that tension can release, and that safety can be rebuilt from the inside out.
Whether you’re recovering from chronic stress, feeling stuck emotionally, grappling with grief or burnout, dealing with physical tension, or simply want a more embodied mindfulness practice, somatic shaking offers an accessible and intuitive tool for well-being.
This article explores what somatic shaking is, how to practice it, its powerful benefits, and when to proceed with care.
Craving movement now? Try the Lymphatic Workout with Dawnelle Arthur on YA Classes. This guided practice is specifically designed to promote lymph flow through gentle movement and mindful breath.
What Is Somatic Shaking?
Somatic shaking refers to the intentional practice of allowing your body to shake or tremble as a way to release built-up tension from the nervous system. The idea is rooted in the concept that mammals (including humans) naturally discharge stress through physical tremors after a threat or trauma.
Think of dogs shaking it off after a squabble, or a deer trembling after a close encounter with a predator. It’s the body’s way of completing the stress cycle.
Somatic shaking reminds us that healing isn’t always stillness – it can also be movement.
Unlike traditional exercise or stretching, somatic shaking is not about performance or muscle engagement. Instead, it encourages the body to enter a spontaneous, self-regulated rhythm of movement. Think: shaking your hands like you’re flicking water off of them, but doing that with your entire body.
This “shaking medicine” has been used across cultures – from indigenous healing rituals and dances to contemporary trauma-informed therapies.
Practices like TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises), ecstatic dance, and spontaneous movement in yoga and meditation often include elements of somatic shaking. Even playful activities like jumping on a trampoline, laughing with friends, or letting yourself shimmy in the kitchen can tap into this same primal release.
How to Practice Somatic Shaking
Somatic shaking is simple and doesn’t require equipment or prior experience. The key is to approach it with curiosity, presence, and trust in your body’s innate wisdom. Before trying it for yourself, be sure to scroll down past the list of the benefits of somatic shaking to the contraindications section to make sure it’s safe for you.
Here’s How to Try Somatic Shaking for Yourself:
Watch my tutorial on YouTube and follow the steps below. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy!
1. Find a safe, private space
Choose a quiet spot where you can move freely without interruption. Remove shoes and wear comfortable clothing.
2. Ground through your feet
Stand with feet hip-width apart. Soften your knees and begin shifting your weight gently from side to side.
3. Start with gentle bouncing
Begin bouncing lightly through your heels, allowing a ripple of movement to rise up through the legs and spine. Let your arms hang loosely and your jaw relax.
4. Allow the shake to deepen
As you continue, the shaking may become more pronounced. Let your body move naturally. You may feel trembling in the legs, shoulders, belly, or hands.
5. Add sound or breath (optional)
You can deepen the experience by sighing, humming, or exhaling audibly. Allow the breath to move naturally with the body. My personal favorite is combining the shaking with Horse Lips Breath (you can watch my tutorial video here).
Recommended Read: Horse Lips Breath: Our Fave Breathing Relaxation Technique for Calming Stress
6. Slow down and rest
After 30–60 seconds, begin to slow the movement and come to stillness. Stand or lie down and notice the sensations in your body. You may feel tingling, warmth, or an emotional release. Rest in stillness for a few minutes.
Note: Each person’s experience is unique. There’s no “right way” to shake. What matters is that it feels safe, intuitive, and self-led.
The Immense and Compelling Benefits of Somatic Shaking
Though it may seem unconventional, somatic shaking is backed by science and growing anecdotal evidence. Here are some of the most well-documented and commonly reported benefits:
1. Regulates the Nervous System
By activating your parasympathetic “rest and digest” response, shaking helps discharge stress held in the body. It interrupts freeze or fight-or-flight states and restores balance.
2. Releases Tension and Stored Trauma
Our bodies often hold unresolved emotional or physical trauma as muscular tension. Shaking provides a direct outlet for that energy to move and release to create deep relief.
3. Boosts Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage
The rhythmic muscular activity stimulates blood flow and supports lymphatic drainage, aiding detoxification and reducing inflammation.
4. Improves Emotional Resilience
Many people feel lighter, calmer, or more grounded after shaking. Over time, this builds a greater capacity to stay regulated in the face of stress and anxiety.
5. Enhances Mind-Body Awareness
Shaking teaches you to listen to your body in real time. You become more attuned to sensations, emotions, and internal signals – an essential aspect of any embodied mindfulness journey!
Who Is Somatic Shaking Good For?
Almost anyone can benefit, especially those who:
- Feel chronically stressed or overwhelmed
- Experience anxiety, burnout, or emotional reactivity
- Are healing from trauma or emotional wounds
- Spend long hours sedentary or in front of screens
- Struggle with body tension or muscle tightness
- Want a non-verbal way to process and release emotions
- Are interested in body-based mindfulness or nervous system regulation
Somatic shaking also complements yoga, breathwork, and meditation. As a longtime practitioner and teacher, I weave shaking into almost every in-person yoga class I lead. It’s a powerful bridge to deepen embodiment and presence, and my students not only love it – they now crave it and request it! They’re hooked, like I am. 🙂
Contraindications and Safety Tips: Please Read Before Trying
While somatic shaking is considered to be generally safe, consider these precautions:
Avoid or modify if you have:
- Unmanaged epilepsy or seizure disorder
- Recent surgery or injury (consult your doctor first)
- Severe dissociation or unprocessed trauma (seek a trauma-informed guide)
- Pregnancy (especially during your first trimester – consult your prenatal provider)
General safety tips for everyone:
- Always listen to your body; stop anytime.
- Create a safe, private space where you feel emotionally supported.
- Ground yourself with breath or gentle movement after shaking to reorient.
- Start with short sessions (30 seconds) and build gradually.
- If intense emotions arise, acknowledge them gently and return to breath or stillness.
- If you’re new or concerned, work with a trauma-informed yoga or somatic practitioner.
Final Thoughts: Shaking Helps Reclaim Your Body’s Natural Wisdom
Remember, there’s profound power in letting your body do the work and move with its own inherent wisdom.
A final supportive tip to consider: pair somatic shaking with a grounding ritual – like sipping a warm cup of herbal tea or journaling for five minutes afterward – to anchor the shift you’ve created.
If you enjoyed the somatic shaking experience, here are a few additional resources to support you:
- My new book, 101 Mindfulness Practices to Ease Anxiety: It features Somatic Shaking as one of the practices, with 100 more supportive techniques for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
- TRE® (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises)
- Local somatic therapy groups: Search “somatic experiencing near me” for community offerings.
Whether you shake for a minute or two after a stressful day or weave it into your regular wellness routine, this simple technique can shift your energy, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect you to your most grounded self.Give yourself permission to experiment and explore. Notice how even a few moments can loosen tension, shift energy, and remind you that your body knows exactly what it needs.
