The Workout Witch: My Experience Through the Somatic Healing Journey (Part 1)
/Part 2 can be found here
Somehow and “magically” Instagram started putting somatic exercise videos in my feed over the last two months. I was intrigued. I felt the pull and interest. Something new to learn about, how exciting.
What is somatic healing?
Somatic healing is using movement to tackle stress and trauma held in our body. Exercises get the muscles and organs physically moving to access stored “gunk” and allow it to move out through the body.
Some people will experience crying during/after exercises as the release melts the energy. I’ve read, too, that some will lose weight as a result of the body not storing the trauma and stress any longer. Some effects are immediate and others are longer term.
My Purchase of Workout Witch’s 3 Course Bundle
TheWorkoutWitch video appeared and I was drawn in…and bought her 3 course bundle for a full body release. As soon as I saw her profile then website, I gave her my money. Completely intuitively handed her money. I didn’t even watch an entire video from IG. I just did it which is quite unlike me to move like that.
That night, I started my 60 day journey with her. My goal is to do follow the course every night until I complete it which will be around Christmas.
Do you need help getting going with this or another program? Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and you’re not sure how or where to start? Need some clarity ASAP? Get help via email. Learn More.
Day 1
I found myself in a time warp. It said it was 19 minutes long, but that was not my experience. It flew by and my body really enjoyed it. TheWorkoutWitch_ keeps a nice temp guiding you along. Her voice is helpful and not at all like ultra gentle low voice that we hear in so many meditations. She keeps you going.
Day 3
I yawned my way through the video and exercises, but it’s not because I was tired! I was shifting energy! (That’s my way of experiencing energy changes. Not everyone does that, so if that’s you, know that’s ok!) That night I had vivid dreams of a former boss from 15 years ago. Recalling memories from the past is another sign that my body was releasing ick, trauma, memories, etc. Great signs that it was working!
Day 6
The hip exercises felt really nice. I never moved my hips in circles while sitting before. It created this really fluid movement that I didn’t know I could do.
More dreams. I have recurring dreams of middle and high school since at the age of 38. This dream included my 6th grade BFF and another girl from school that seemingly had little impact in my life. Odd but again, good signs that things were moving and being released.
Day 7-11
Around this time, I had a mound of personal stuff come up. Day 11 required a forgiveness exercise. Interestingly, I couldn’t do it. I hit a wall of not knowing what I wanted to forgive, I just stalled.
According to The Workout Witch, if you stop the program for more than 4 days (don’t quote me on that number), it’s in your best interest to start at the beginning.
It took me about two weeks to feel the urge to get back at it. Things in my life were chaotic and I knew I needed to help me get back to feeling better.
Starting the Program All Over
Day 2
It took me a couple of days to be ready. I didn’t feel particularly ready, but kind of like it “was time.”
Day 3
Yawning non-stop. I remember it was about this day or the next last time that I experienced the same thing—so much releasing.
Day 4
I yawned 15-16 times mostly in the front part of the video. It was probably more yawning tonight than last night. I find that the more I do this, the more I notice the stuck parts of my body and it is like a bad itch—I just want it to disappear.
Day 5
A quiet practice. Feels really good to push the external rotation of my hips. I felt a spot in my back tighten like a spasm.
Day 6
Nothing notable.
Did have some dreams last night, can’t remember anything.
Day 7
I noticed today how much space I felt like I had to move when walking. It feels much less stiff in my hip flexors.
When doing the exercises tonight, I noticed how much more fluid I was in my hip circles than I was the first time I did it a few weeks ago. I take it that stuff has been released though new layers of ish have landed, I still was more fluid than before.
Day 8
Today I took a two hour nap; I dreamed of alligators. They were everywhere and the owners of the attractions weren’t concerned at all. A middleschool friend made an appearance and had a hard time walking through the tunnel to get to the safe side and out of total fear, I just went for it and did it.
Day 10
I went to the chiropractor today; I hoped I’d feel some release during tonight’s exercise but I didn’t.
I find that my body is craving the movement once I get started with the videos.
Nothing else notable today.
Day 11
I was very proud to have gotten to this day; it was the day that tripped me up on my last attempt. It felt easier to A.) sit and perform the ritual and B.) come up with my list of 4 traumas for releasing.
Given that it was a much more approachable task this time around, I suspect that I wasn’t ready last time. Perhaps another 10 days of repeated exercises it just what I needed. I trust it all worked out well and just as it should be.
Day 12
Last night at 4am I woke up with “roaring” back pain. It felt like my entire back was stiff. I wasn’t able to find much relief with stretches. Eventually a little movement helped and I was ok again.
It was Thanksgiving today.
I find myself in a rush to get thru the video tonight. Kids aren’t in bed and I crammed it in before I had the chance to fall asleep.
Day 13
When I woke up this morning, laying in bed, I pushed my knees together (no agenda, just did it) and they cracked. I’ve never ever in my life cracked my hips like that before. It must have been them finally opening up!
Day 14
Last night’s dream was full of unknown characters and situations. Nothing was familiar in the dream or thematic of anything going on my life. New stuff opening up?
Day 15
I had some thematic dreams last night. I was in high school and didn’t know how exactly to get back to the room I came from. I also had my daughter who was my sister in the dream that I was taking care of while my mom was in the hospital. The teacher (who was my high school’s drama teacher) leaned over and told me not to bring my sister again. I had to leave my sister for a bit, but she seemed safe enough while I ran to another part of the school.
I noticed today that my hip flexors felt soft. I was out at Lowe’s carrying my daughter in my sandals and my hip flexors didn’t get tired or painful like they usually do.
Day 16
I am still noticing my hips cracking while moving during the day that never was before.
Tonight’s “workout” was short and not very engaging. When I started this program, my body couldn’t get enough. Lately, it’s been a bit unexciting.
After I did the video, my body was hungering for more so I did some extra movements that I felt called to. I really love how my body just wants more movement. I’m on my feet all day long with the kids, rarely sitting. I haven’t exercised really since I was 8 months along with my daughter (dating it back to May 2020). So feeling the hunger for my body to move is a nice chance of pace.
Part of tonight's exercise was giving life to my vision. This was so hard for me. Since having my first child, a part of me slipped into the background which has been totally fine for me. But doing this exercise was really difficult because I didn’t know what to think or write. I believe so many of the things that we immediately think when we think of our “future” is completely conditioned in us. Therefore, it’s extremely difficult to really get it the heart of it. Then on my way there, I am combatting intuition and knowing. And feeling. Because at one point my answer to what is my vision was things like “being happy.” While I certainly could’ve answered that way, I don’t think that was the point of the exercise so I forged ahead. I did have a bit of a breakthrough. And when I read my list, it feels like me. So I take that as a good sign.
Day 17
Went thru the motions. Tried to feel the healing exercise.
Day 18
Tonight’s exercise was only 1 minute long and left me wondering how long was I supposed to do it? How many repetitions? I did it several times and I did experience the leg shaking she mentioned that was releasing trauma, but had no big or small emotions or memories surface. I was kinda bummed that it was a video from her TikTok account bc it lacked the polish and beat you become accustomed to.
Day 19
Made me move my upper body in a way it’s never moved before, great stretch to do daily.
Last night I had an unfamiliar dream. Can’t remember anything though.
Day 20 (Turns out, I did the wrong Day 20. I was doing Neck, Jaw & Shoulders series, not Hips)
Nothing notable has been happening.
The exercises continue to make me feel unsure I’m doing them properly. Today was work in the ears. I did feel a tiny crack in my neck when I lifted my ears up which was pretty cool to happen. I certainly pay no attention to my ears and imagine there is lots of stagnant energy there as they rarely get touched.
As I was doing the video, I felt myself get intellectual and coach myself thru it because the lack of feeling anything has been kind of boring lately. I recall something I read of the Workout Witch’s saying it typically takes 4 weeks to feel the first emotional release. Being that I’m at week 3, I’ll continue to plow through. If this wasn’t so easy to physically do everyday, it would be super easy to just jump ship. But I’m in it for the long haul.
If anything, I have been steadily committed to doing this every night which is completely unlike anything I’ve done in 2.5 years (I used to go out running in the evening when I was 6-8 months pregnant with my daughter). I’m showing up for ME. Aside from my morning vitamins and water, it’s all I do exclusively for me.
Day 21 (Part of the wrong series like above)
Really not sure I did it right. My arms sure got tired though.
Last night I did have some unusual dreams though I can’t recall them now.
Day 23 (Part of the wrong series like above)
I am constantly giving myself little stretches in my neck and traps.
The exercises are not feeling like I’m doing much at all.
Day 21 (Back to the correct Hips series)
OY. So for the last 4 days or so, I’ve been doing the wrong sequence. I was accidently doing the days for the neck, not the back. That was very frustrating to find.
I noticed yesterday that Britt has been able to fairly easily crack my upper and mid back. Usually that’s a very stuck and rigid place. Good change. Not sure if it’s because of the daily hip movement or it’s the homeopathy.
Day 23
So after doing the exercise for the day, I jumped into some of the hip exercise that I do every night now. I enjoy doing them and feels good to get my heart up a bit.
Tonight I was doing some seated hip circles and noticed that when doing it, the motion was entirely smooth and juicy! Usually, I feel a grittiness when I circle specific parts. Tonight, it was totally gone. I’m on my third night of doing the psoas exercise. I don’t feel anything while doing it
Day 24
Emotionally, things have hit a hard place. It’s been a storm of events and I’m experiencing loads of guilt, sadness, anger, frustration. My homeopath advised on a few remedies to get me through this bumpy period. I’m sure it’s all connected.
Day 29 & Final Thoughts of Hips Series
Today was the last day of the Hips series of the Total Body Release program.
How I feel different than when I began. My hips definitely feel way more open and soft. I can do things like carry Flora in my sandals without getting tight sharp pains in my hip reflexers. I can move my hips in a circle and it feels more fluid. I had many nights of dreams where I know I was releasing stuff. I was disappointed that I didn’t experience a big emotional cry for the release that she says +99% of people experience. She said it would happen around week 3 and I didn’t have it happen.
I know I hold a lot of stuff in my body, namely my shoulders. I held out hope that my big release would happen but maybe it wasn’t in the hips series. I know that I’ve done a ton of work releasing energy over the years, so maybe I just didn’t have the buildup that others do? I don’t know, but I’m going to continue on to the next series which is Shoulders, Neck & Jaw.
What I think so far. I like the easy going attitude of The Workout Witch. Things are supposed to be easy and not pushed. I also like the tone in her voice—it’s not all woo typical. In fact, I think I liked it because it’s similar to my own when I guide energy clearings! It’s just a normal unexciting guiding voice. Nothing woo or superficial.
I’m looking forward to the next series and seeing what transpires!
Part 2 can be found here
Link (no affiliation): TheWorkoutWitch.com