Somatic Movement & Embodied Pilates for Runners

There’s a quiet wisdom that settles in the body when we learn to move with intention. At Soma Practice, movement isn’t just about exercise—it’s a conversation between the body, the breath, and the nervous system.

Recently, Soma Practice had the joy of collaborating with Nobody Run Club, a Carlton-based running community that shares our values of connection, presence, and community-led movement. Together, we explored the rich intersection of running, somatic awareness, and the intelligent strength of Pilates.

As a runner myself, I know firsthand how powerful running can be. It’s rhythmic, cathartic, and energizing—a beautiful way to release emotion and shift out of the mind and into the body. When I run, everything else tends to drop away. I become deeply present in my body, aware of each step. There’s little room to think about much else other than my breath, my rising body heat, and the steady rhythm of my heart.

But running can also be demanding. The repetitive, linear motion takes its toll—tight hips, sore joints, and tired fascia are all too familiar in my own Soma. These are physical responses from a body that’s been under stress, operating in a highly activated state.

With a deep love for all forms of movement, both high-intensity energizing practices and those somatic approaches that are restorative, mindful, and regulating, I began to wonder—what if somatic awareness could not only support but actually enhance my running practice? What if running longer and stronger wasn’t about pushing harder, but about moving with greater presence and intention?

I carried this curiosity into our collaboration with Nobody Run Club. Staying true to the Soma Method—Release, Restore, Regulate I designed a movement session that honored the natural rhythm of the nervous system.

Drawing from functional movement and Pilates, and tailoring them to meet the unique demands of runners, Soma STRONG brought intentionality to dynamic, energizing movement. We began our session with a grounding somatic check-in, witnessing the breath and tuning into embodied sensations.

This simple 5-minute practice at the outset of high-intensity movement helped us stay present through the shifts and changes in our bodies, helping us sense when to increase pace and when to soften. It became a way to listen inward, deepening our connection to the ongoing conversation with our Soma.

Runners often operate in a sympathetic state, characterized by high cortisol and adrenaline, fast pace, and linear movements. While this activated state is vital for performance, the nervous system also needs moments of balance, restoration, and regulation.

That’s where Soma SOFT comes in.

In alignment with the Soma Method, we transition from the dynamic intensity of STRONG into the integration space of SOFT, where the body lands. Through gentle mobility work, somatic exercises, restorative breathwork, and grounding practices, we guide the nervous system back towards balance.

Reframing recovery not as “time off,” but as an essential, nourishing practice we honor and enjoy. We use somatic tools to release muscular tension and support the fascial web that’s been under stress by repetitive, linear movement. It's a chance to invite restoration and support the physiological shifts that come with it: increased breath capacity, ease of movement, greater mobility, and reduced tension.

Yes, there is purpose in our activated, high-performance states, but they must be met with equal moments of rest and integration. These somatic and embodied practices allow us to transition between states with grace and awareness. They are how we care for our Soma, prevent injury, release held tension, and give thanks to the strong, resilient body that carries us.

By weaving somatic practices into your movement routine, whether it's orienting with your senses, connecting with your breath, or simply noticing the rhythm of your feet, you begin to run with your body, not against it. Taking a moment to ground before a run invites embodied awareness, you become more attuned to your surroundings, more sensitive to your body’s internal signals, and more able to adapt to what you need in the moment.

This deeper connection enhances proprioception, supports injury prevention, and allows you to find your authentic rhythm—a pace that is responsive, intuitive, and uniquely yours.

At Soma Practice, this is at the heart of what we offer. Movement is not just exercise; it's a dialogue between body, breath, and nervous system. It's about learning to listen. Our collaboration with Nobody Run Club was a beautiful reflection of this ethos—blending strength with softness, performance with presence, and running with regulation.

Because when you move with intention, you don’t just get stronger. You become more connected to yourself, to your Soma, and to the world around you.