Most people have heard of affirmations—short, positive phrases meant to inspire confidence and optimism. But in my work, affirmations are not just feel-good slogans. They become tools for transformation when paired with deep presence and somatic awareness.
As a somatic therapist and group facilitator, I often invite clients and circle participants to listen inwardly as they hear a carefully chosen affirmation. The body responds before the mind has a chance to analyze or explain. These subtle inner reactions become the doorway to real healing.
For example, consider this statement:
“Your life belongs to you.”
A simple sentence, yet for many, it lands with surprising impact. When I say it and gently ask someone to notice what happens inside, something shifts. The body might tense up or soften; the breath may pause or deepen; tears may come, or resistance may surface. Each of these responses carries information that words alone often cannot access.
This is not about layering positivity over pain. It is about listening to what the body already knows and trusting its wisdom.
When we take the time to feel, rather than just think, we begin to uncover the beliefs that quietly shape our lives:
- “I don’t matter.”
- “I’m too much.”
- “It’s not safe to be seen.”
- “My needs don’t count.”
As these hidden patterns emerge, we don’t rush to reframe or fix them. We stay present; we breathe; we allow. This gentle witnessing creates the space where true healing becomes possible. Eventually, the body may begin to believe a new truth, one that feels both unfamiliar and deeply right.
This is the heart of somatic therapy. We are not trying to convince ourselves of something new; we are reconnecting with what is already whole within us.
If you are curious to explore this process in a private session or in one of my weekly circles, I would be honoured to welcome you.
Come home to your body. Awaken your aliveness.
Mariel Camilleri, BSc., MSc.Ad