What Is Somatic Movement? And How Can It Change Your Life

I'll be the first to admit that when I started practicing BUTI, I had absolutely no idea what somatics were. Honestly, if someone had tried to explain it to me back then, I probably would've thought it sounded a little too woo-woo for my liking.

But looking back, I realize I've been practicing some version of it for over a decade, and I genuinely believe it's changed my life.

Let me explain.

How BUTI Found Me

I was 19 when I discovered BUTI (back then it was actually called BUTI Yoga) and to say I was going through a lot would be an understatement.

I was ending a relationship with my high school sweetheart that I wouldn't recognize until years later was severely abusive. I was going through an estrangement with my family, and I was having a pretty massive identity crisis.

I grew up in a devoutly Christian household, and the year before, I'd traveled to China and witnessed my grandmother practicing Buddhism… an experience that challenged so much of what I'd been raised to believe at the time.

Basically, I was 19, confused as hell, and questioning everything about who I was and what I wanted my life to look like.

Looking back, I was actually entering a period of massive expansion, but at the time, it felt like my entire world was being turned upside down.

And somewhere in the middle of all that, I found BUTI.

My first class was a BUTI GLOW with Bizzie Gold (the founder of BUTI) in a small studio in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

I can't fully explain what happened in that room, but something in me just broke WIDE OPEN.

I remember feeling this overwhelming release of emotion. Joy, sadness, anger, excitement. All of it. And for once, I wasn't sitting around trying to make sense of how I felt. I was just moving through it.

I was immediately hooked and got certified shortly afterward.

What followed was honestly pretty wild. BUTI allowed me to move to San Diego where I met some of my best friends through the practice (like O.G. Butisattva and Master Trainer MC Shurett). Years later I met (and believe I manifested) my husband through BUTI. It became this incredible creative outlet and community that shaped so much of who I am today.

And the funny thing is, I had no idea there was a word for part of what I was experiencing.

So What the Hell Are Somatics, Anyway?

The word somatic comes from the Greek word soma, meaning body. Somatics is an approach to understanding and experiencing your body from the inside out, rather than simply observing it from the outside.

Basically, instead of focusing on what your body LOOKS like while you're moving, you're paying attention to what it FEELS like.

And there's actually some fascinating science behind this.

Researchers study something called interoception, which is our ability to recognize and interpret internal bodily signals, like our heartbeat and breathing.

A 2024 scientific review published in Behavioral Sciences explored the connection between interoception and emotional regulation, suggesting that body awareness plays an important role in how we recognize and manage our emotions.

Think about it. When you're anxious, your chest might tighten. When you're angry, your jaw might clench. Our bodies are constantly giving us information, but how often are we actually listening?

And that's where I think BUTI is so special.

BUTI combines cardio dance, strength, dynamic yoga asanas, and primal movement. It's high-energy, expressive, and sometimes a little chaotic (in the best way).

But beneath all of that is an opportunity to really FEEL what's happening in your body.

For me, that's what makes BUTI one of the best somatic workouts and practices out there (in fact, I think it's the original somatic workout). I don't have to sit in silence to connect with myself and meditate for hours… Instead, I get to dance, sweat, shake my body, and actually have FUN while doing it.

What Happened When I Stopped Practicing

Here's where things get a little personal.

Around 2020, I stopped practicing BUTI, and in the years that followed, my health took a pretty serious turn. I dealt with endometriosis, seizures, hospitalizations, and some of the most difficult physical experiences of my life.

Now, I'm absolutely not saying that stopping BUTI caused any of this. These are real medical conditions with complex causes and underlying issues… But I do believe that I had lost a huge part of how I processed my emotions and connected with myself, and that certainly contributed to getting sick and staying sick.

I've always personally believed that emotions are a form of energy, and movement is one of the ways I give that energy somewhere to go. So, when I stopped practicing, I stopped giving myself that outlet… and looking back, I wonder how much emotional tension I was carrying without even realizing it.

I can't scientifically prove that connection, and I'm not trying to. It's simply how I've made sense of my own experience.

Around 2025, I started finding my way back to BUTI. And hilariously, life brought me full circle because now I own the very practice that changed my life at 19 and am pregnant with my first baby (something I never thought was possible).

I'm still rediscovering that creative, expressive part of myself, and honestly, it feels really good to be back.

3 Simple Somatic Exercises for Emotional Regulation

If you haven't taken a BUTI class yet, I obviously HIGHLY recommend it. But if you're looking to integrate a few somatic movements into your daily routine, here are a few simple ways to begin:

1. Put on a song and move however you want

Seriously. Stop worrying about what you look like and just move. Shake your arms, circle your hips, sway, dance. Pay attention to what feels good, what feels uncomfortable, and whether anything changes as you move.

2. Notice where you're holding tension

Take 30 seconds and check in with your body. Is your jaw clenched? Are your shoulders up by your ears? Are you holding your breath? You don't have to fix anything immediately. Just start noticing.

3. Slow your movement down

Try a few slow hip circles, spinal waves, or gentle yoga transitions. Notice your breathing and how different parts of your body feel as you move.

These aren't magic fixes, but practicing body awareness can be one useful part of learning to recognize and respond to your emotions.

Maybe You Don't Need Another "Workout"

I think so much of the fitness industry has conditioned us to think about movement in terms of what it can do to our bodies. Burn calories. Build muscle. Lose weight. Look better.

And listen, I love a good workout as much as anyone (I still weight train roughly 3x a week)! …But I think we're missing something really important when that's the only reason we move.

What if movement was also an opportunity to actually connect with ourselves? That's what BUTI has always been for me.

It's not therapy. It's not a cure for anything. But it's been one of the most meaningful ways I've learned to understand myself, express my emotions, and feel connected to my body.

And I think more people deserve to experience that.

If you're curious about exploring somatic movement, I'd encourage you to try BUTI or DEEP on BUTI TV. It's a great place to tune into your body, and start noticing how movement actually feels.

If you're already a Member, head into your BUTI TV library and discover our latest workouts.

But if you're new? Start with our 7-day free trial, see what you think, and feel the power of somatics for yourself.

Either way, I'm so happy you're here!

With love,
Katie
Owner, BUTI Movement

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Research & References

Lazzarelli, A., et al. (2024). Interoceptive Ability and Emotion Regulation in Mind–Body Interventions: An Integrative Review. Behavioral Sciences. Read the research.

Cleveland Clinic. Interoception: Definition, Symptoms & How to Improve. Learn more.