Somatic Awareness / Felt Sense
The body’s way of speaking before words: sensations that point to Parts or truth.
Description
IFS borrows this from Gendlin’s Focusing: drop attention into the body and notice subtle texture, pressure, temperature, or movement. Each felt sense is a trailhead: a door to the Part carrying that signal. Staying curious without forcing meaning lets the body complete unfinished processes.
What Somatic Awareness / Felt Sense is NOT:
Guessing emotions; analyzing posture; “just breathe” advice.
Examples:
A lump in the throat reveals a silenced Part.
Warmth in the chest confirms a burden has lifted.
Tremor after truth-telling signals integration.
see also:
Trailheads; Titration; Blending & Unblending; Mindfulness; Window of Tolerance