About SomaSong
SomaSong is a groundbreaking mind-body modality designed to help you regulate your nervous system, calm your mind and body, process emotions, and reconnect to your authentic self. By merging scientific insights with embodied practices and meditative singing, SomaSong offers a holistic approach to mental and physical health that is both innovative and deeply personal.
The SomaSong method of singing somatics is a unique approach informed by my extensive training in psychology, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, somatics, and singing.
SomaSong is designed to help you reconnect with your body, emotions, and the present moment through your voice. By combining meditative singing, somatic practices, and trauma-informed tools and techniques drawn from the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and vocal pedagogy, we can release tension, calm the nervous system, and awaken a deeper sense of self-awareness.
This practice is for everyone—whether you're a trained singer or someone who's never sung a note, your voice is welcome here. The beauty of singing somatics is that it isn’t about performing or “sounding good”; it’s about using your voice as a tool for healing, self-discovery, and transformation.
We believe that singing is for everyone, and we’d love to have you join us.
SomaSong is based on several core principles:
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Somatics: Our bodies hold wisdom about how we feel and function. The mind-body connection is an essential component to physical and mental wellbeing, and we can strengthen our mind-body connection through intentional somatic practice. By engaging in these practices, we learn to listen to and care for our bodies, easing tension and stress. Through somatic awareness and gentle movement, we can learn to retrain patterns of stress and tension and work toward greater regulation.
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Singing: Singing is a natural, accessible form of creative expression that can strengthen the Vagus Nerve, regulate the nervous system, help us access and process emotions, and foster a sense of community and connection. We believe that all people deserve spaces to sing, regardless of training or "talent." At SomaSong, we know that all voices are worthy of being heard.
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Science: Created by a psychotherapist who specializes in trauma, anxiety, stress, and nervous system regulation, SomaSong is based in scientific research and clinical practice.
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Connection: Humans were designed to heal in community. In today's increasingly divided and isolating world, we need opportunities for connection more than ever. SomaSong is based on the idea that singing can unite and connect.
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Mindfulness: SomaSong is a mindfulness practice, helping participants connect to the present moment. Think of it like an active meditation, with singing and movement to keep you engaged. Regularly engaging in mindfulness practices can help reduce stress and anxiety, and it can help people feel more present in their daily lives.
FAQs
1. What is SomaSong?
SomaSong is a mind-body modality created by psychotherapist Abby Ilardi Lowry, based on years of training, study, and practice as a clinician, yoga teacher, and singer-songwriter.
This method blends singing and other forms of vocal toning (humming, vocal improvisation, etc.) with somatic techniques, concepts from psychology and neuroscience, and tools from meditation and mindfulness traditions. SomaSong helps individuals reconnect with their bodies, release tension, regulate their nervous system, strengthen their vagus nerve, process and express emotions, develop a greater capacity for mindfulness, and sing with less tension and more ease.
Full-length SomaSong classes are a bit like yoga classes, but with singing and somatics practices rather than sun salutations. Classes begin with body-based mindfulness practices, somatic tension release, breathing exercises, and vocal warm-ups. Then Abby leads the group through a meditative song circle. The song circle portion of class typically includes meditation songs/mantras written by Abby, but they may include other types of songs as well. Classes typically center around a theme or quote, and they typically end with reflection questions based on this theme and/or a final somatic awareness exercise. In-person classes or live classes online might include opportunities for sharing and connection with other students, though sharing is always optional.
In addition to full length classes, the SomaSong platforms on Substack, YouTube, and Instagram include short at-home practices and educational videos ranging from 3-30 minutes. These include somatic practices, singing meditations, vocal warm-ups and exercises, breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, mini SomaSong classes, and educational content.
We recognize that meditation songs are not everyone’s cup of tea, so the shorter practice videos allow for students to create their own SomaSong experience. For instance, you can get the benefits of a traditional SomaSong class by following videos for somatic practices and vocal warmups and then transitioning into singing along with your own personal favorite songs.
You can also check out our course “SomaSong for Mental Health” (coming soon), which provides invaluable knowledge and tools that will transform the way you think about the mind-body-voice connection and help you get the most out of your SomaSong practice.
2. Who is SomaSong for?
SomaSong is for anyone seeking healing, connection, and self-expression through the voice and body. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or have never sung outside of your shower before, this practice welcomes people of all backgrounds and all levels of experience.
In today’s world, we could all use a practice that helps us relieve stress, reconnect to our minds, bodies, and emotions, and find authentic self-expression. If you are seeking any of these things, you’re in the right place.
3. What is “somatics”? How are somatics and singing related?
The word “somatics” comes from the Greek word soma, meaning “body.” At its heart, somatics is all about connecting with our body’s natural wisdom. It is a field of practices and therapies that help us become aware of what we’re feeling physically—tuning into sensations, movements, and emotions stored in the body. By listening to our bodies in this way, we can release tension, ease stress, and find regulation. Somatic practices like this often support us in working through trauma and building a deeper, more peaceful connection with ourselves.
When we approach singing and voicework through this lens, they become powerful somatic practices too, helping us unlock and express emotions in ways words often can’t.
4. Do I need singing or musical experience to participate?
Not at all! SomaSong is designed for everyone, regardless of your singing background. The SomaSong meditation songs and singing exercises are designed to be easy to follow for singers of all levels.
5. How does singing support wellbeing?
Singing is a powerful tool for supporting wellbeing because the voice is connected to the body’s nervous system. When we sing, we indirectly stimulate the vagus nerve, which is the communication highway between mind and body and a vital component of the body’s relaxation response.
Stimulating the vagus nerve helps our minds and bodies come back into relaxation. Repeatedly stimulating the vagus nerve helps strengthen it over time, which helps us build up our capacity to regulate during times of stress.
Nervous system dysregulation is a very common contributing factor to many different physical and mental health concerns. When our nervous system is dysregulated, we simply do not feel our best. Singing is an amazing tool for increasing nervous system regulation.
Singing not only supports nervous system regulation but also allows us to process and express emotions in a uniquely powerful way. As we sing, we connect deeply with our breath, our body, and our emotional landscape, bringing awareness to sensations and feelings that may otherwise stay locked inside or repressed. This awareness is a key part of somatic healing—by listening to what the body is communicating, we can release built-up tension, safely process emotions, and allow for a fuller expression of self.
In SomaSong, singing becomes both a personal and shared experience that grounds us in the present moment. By combining vocal practice with somatic techniques, mindful awareness, and the support of a community, we create an environment that
promotes healing and self-discovery.
6) What is nervous system regulation?
Nervous system regulation is the ability to maintain balance between states of activity and rest. It reflects how effectively your body and mind respond to stress, process emotions, and return to equilibrium.
A well-regulated nervous system helps you handle stress and challenges, recover more quickly, and stay grounded and present. This balance is essential for physical and emotional well-being.
When the nervous system is dysregulated—due to stress, trauma, anxiety, or burnout—it can feel harder to focus, connect with others, or experience joy. Dysregulation is also linked to a wide range of physical and mental health concerns, making tools for regulation crucial for improving overall quality of life. SomaSong is designed to be one of those tools.
7) Is SomaSong a substitute for psychotherapy?
No, SomaSong is a self-guided, body-centered practice designed to complement therapy, not necessarily to replace it.
Though individual therapy is not necessary for everyone, it can be extremely beneficial for some. While some people find that they are able to effectively manage their mental health on their own through self-guided programs like SomaSong, having a relationship with a therapist and receiving personalized treatment can be game-changing for others–especially for people dealing with serious mental health concerns. Though SomaSong can certainly help relieve symptoms of certain mental health concerns, it does not replace an individualized treatment plan from a qualified professional.
That said, SomaSong and psychotherapy play different roles. If you are in therapy, SomaSong offers practical tools to support you outside of sessions, helping you regulate your nervous system, process emotions, and connect with yourself in the present moment. Sometimes the missing piece in mental health treatment is an effective home practice, so SomaSong can certainly play a role in your mental health. Whether you’re in therapy or not, it can greatly enhance your wellbeing to have tools and practices that you can use on a daily basis to manage stress or anxiety, to tune into your mind and body, and to strengthen your vagus nerve.
Therefore, therapy and SomaSong serve different, complementary purposes—therapy focuses on individualized diagnosis and treatment for mental health concerns, while SomaSong provides techniques for grounding, self-expression, and regulation in daily life.
8) How does SomaSong differ from traditional singing lessons or programs?
One of the primary differences between SomaSong and most traditional singing programs is that in SomaSong, it doesn’t matter how you sound. What matters here is how the singing impacts you. In SomaSong, we are not focused on the aesthetics of singing, but rather with using singing as a healing tool.
That being said, SomaSong is informed by vocal pedagogy and healthy singing technique, and you might find that SomaSong helps you naturally improve your singing. Our goal is to help you sing with less tension and more ease, and that typically leads to a more aesthetically pleasing sound. However, that is a happy byproduct, rather than the main focus of the program.
9) How might SomaSong benefit performers?
SomaSong can be extremely helpful for performers and creatives of all kinds, and it can also be very helpful for people who use their speaking voice professionally like teachers, podcasters, and therapists.
First, SomaSong helps students develop greater awareness of the connection between mind, body, and voice. Participants will learn how their physical and emotional states can impact their voice, and they will learn tools and techniques for releasing various forms of tension that can impact both the singing and speaking voice. Over time, this greater awareness allows for speaking and singing with less tension and more ease.
The practices also support nervous system regulation, which can be a game-changer for performers. Improved ability to regulate the nervous system can help with challenges like performance or audition anxiety, creative blocks, and self-doubt. Additionally, a regulated nervous system fosters creativity and presence, enabling more mindful, authentic, and engaging performances.
Want to learn about our different SomaSong offerings? Check them out