Somatic Therapy Essentials: Core Techniques for Every Practitioner
5 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Lara Kolesar
Somatic work invites practitioners to listen more deeply to the body — not only as a structure to be assessed or treated, but as an intelligent, sensing, responsive system.
Somatic Essentials: Core Techniques for Every Practitioner introduces practical somatic principles and techniques that help practitioners guide clients toward greater body awareness, self-perception, movement confidence, and mind-body connection.
Presented by Lara Kolesar, this course combines step-by-step instruction, practical exercises, live demonstrations, and clear explanations to help practitioners integrate somatic awareness into therapeutic, movement, coaching, and bodywork settings.
Course Overview
Across this 5-hour CE/CPD course, participants will explore core somatic techniques designed to help clients better recognize, interpret, and engage with the sensations and messages of the body.
The course focuses on developing a practical somatic vocabulary — a way of listening to the body through touch, breath, movement, sensory awareness, and guided internal perception.
Through 4K video classes, live demonstrations, workbook-supported study, lesson quizzes, and an online exam, participants will learn how somatic practices may support wellbeing, self-awareness, emotional regulation, embodied movement, and a deeper connection between body and mind.
While somatic work is often discussed in relation to trauma-informed practice, this course presents somatic awareness as a broader human skill: a way of helping clients relate to the body as a source of information, resilience, expression, and personal insight.
What You Will Learn
Topic Focus Somatic Awareness Understanding somatic perception as an internal sensing and responding process within the body Somatic Vocabulary Helping clients notice, describe, and engage with body sensations in a clear and meaningful way Touch, Breath & Movement Using practical tools to support body awareness, self-connection, and embodied presence Client Guidance Developing skills to support clients through somatic exploration in a safe, respectful, and professional way Clinical & Practice Integration Applying somatic concepts within bodywork, movement, rehabilitation, coaching, and wellness settingsCourse Content
The course combines somatic theory, practical exercises, guided body awareness techniques, live demonstrations, and workbook-supported learning to help practitioners integrate somatic tools into professional practice.
Module Focus Understanding Somatic Practice The meaning of somatic work and its relevance to body-oriented professional practice Listening to the Body Developing awareness of sensation, response, perception, and embodied communication Core Somatic Techniques Step-by-step practical exercises using touch, breath, movement, and sensory attention Live Demonstrations Real-life applications showing how somatic techniques may support the therapeutic process Professional Integration Using somatic awareness within therapy, movement education, rehabilitation, coaching, and client careWho This Course Is For
This course is suitable for rehabilitation professionals, massage therapists, manual therapists, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, chiropractors, nurses, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, athletic trainers, exercise professionals, fitness professionals, bodyworkers, movement teachers, coaches, and practitioners interested in deepening their understanding of body-based awareness.
It is especially valuable for professionals who want to support clients through a more embodied approach to therapeutic work, movement education, self-awareness, wellbeing, and the relationship between physical sensation and lived experience.
About Lara Kolesar
For the last 25 years, Lara Kolesar has been exploring and creating new ways to support the body and translate its intelligence through touch, breath, and movement.
She developed the Kolesar Body Knowledge Method for Pilates instructors and is the author of the book Somatic Essentials.
Lara brings together expertise in Pilates, Gyrotonic, anatomy, massage, dance, embodied movement, and personal development to help people reconnect with the body’s innate intelligence and sensory wisdom.
Her teaching emphasizes touch, sensory intuition, embodied awareness, and practical tools that help practitioners support clients in developing a more trusting and connected relationship with their bodies.
Included With This Course
Included Details 4K Video Classes 3.5 hours of video instruction, practical exercises, and demonstrations presented by Lara Kolesar Illustrated Course Workbook Comprehensive workbook supporting somatic theory, practical exercises, and professional integration Companion Course Additional content designed to reinforce clinical reasoning and practical integration Lesson Quizzes Knowledge checks designed to reinforce learning throughout the course Online Exam Assessment included for course completion Certificate 5 Hours CE/CPD following successful completion Lifetime Access Study at your own pace and revisit the material whenever required .nat-ce{margin:50px 0;padding:36px 0 20px;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#222}.nat-ce h2{margin:0 0 10px;color:#c3283d;font-size:30px}.nat-ce p{margin:0 0 18px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#545454}.nat-ce-info{margin-bottom:24px;padding:16px 18px;background:#fafafa;border-left:4px solid #c3283d}.nat-ce-cue{margin:0 0 16px;text-align:left;color:#222;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:.03em;text-transform:uppercase}.nat-ce-row{display:flex;gap:14px;overflow-x:auto;padding:4px 20px 20px 0;scroll-snap-type:x proximity}.nat-ce-card{scroll-snap-align:start;flex:0 0 min(245px,76vw);max-width:min(245px,76vw);border:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#fff;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-board{height:86px;padding:12px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#f7f7f7;color:#222;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.35;display:flex;align-items:center;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-hours{padding:12px 14px 14px;color:#545454;font-size:13px;line-height:1.5}.nat-ce-hours strong{display:block;margin-top:3px;color:#c3283d;font-size:26px;line-height:1}.nat-ce-note{margin:18px 0 0!important;font-size:13px!important;line-height:1.7!important;color:#666!important} .nat-ce{margin:50px 0;padding:36px 0 20px;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#222}.nat-ce h2{margin:0 0 10px;color:#c3283d;font-size:30px}.nat-ce p{margin:0 0 18px;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#545454}.nat-ce-info{margin-bottom:24px;padding:16px 18px;background:#fafafa;border-left:4px solid #c3283d}.nat-ce-cue{margin:0 0 16px;text-align:left;color:#222;font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:.03em;text-transform:uppercase}.nat-ce-row{display:flex;gap:14px;overflow-x:auto;padding:4px 20px 20px 0;scroll-snap-type:x proximity}.nat-ce-card{scroll-snap-align:start;flex:0 0 min(245px,76vw);max-width:min(245px,76vw);border:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#fff;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-board{height:86px;padding:12px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e5e5;background:#f7f7f7;color:#222;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.35;display:flex;align-items:center;box-sizing:border-box}.nat-ce-hours{padding:12px 14px 14px;color:#545454;font-size:13px;line-height:1.5}.nat-ce-hours strong{display:block;margin-top:3px;color:#c3283d;font-size:26px;line-height:1}.nat-ce-note{margin:18px 0 0!important;font-size:13px!important;line-height:1.7!important;color:#666!important}CE Finder
This course has been approved for continuing education by numerous professional boards and associations worldwide. Scroll sideways to find your board or association.
Course: Somatic Essentials for BodyworkersApprovals Listed: 61
CE Broker Provider: #20-1290711 Scroll right to view all approvals in alphabetical order → Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
5 Alaska Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
5 Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Arkansas Board of Massage Approved Hours
5 Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) Approved Hours
5 Australian Traditional Medicine Society Approved Hours
5 Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA) Approved Hours
5 Certified Registered Massage Therapist Assc (CRMTA) Approved Hours
5 - Secondary CEU/CPD Self-Cert Approved Hours
5 Chiropractic Board of Australia Approved Hours
5 College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia (CCHPBC) Approved Hours
5 College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) Approved Hours
5 College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMTNL) Approved Hours
2.5 College of Massage Therapists Ontario (CMTO) Approved Hours
5 College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC) Approved Hours
5 Connecticut Board of Chiropractors Approved Hours
5 Connecticut Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Deleware Board of Massage and Bodywork Approved Hours
5 Distrcit of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Florida Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Georgia Board of Massage Therapy *General* Approved Hours
5 Georgia Board of Nursing *General* Approved Hours
5 Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
5 Indiana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Iowa Board of Chiropractic Approved Hours
5 Iowa Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 Kansas Chiropractic Association Approved Hours
5 Maine Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Approved Hours
5 Massage Therapists' Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) Approved Hours
5 Massage Therapy Assc of Manitoba (MTAM) Approved Hours
5 Massage Therapy Assc of Saskatchewan (MTAS) Approved Hours
5 Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT) Approved Hours
5 Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage Approved Hours
5 Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
5 Montana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Approved Hours
5 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork - New York (NCBTMB-NY) Approved Hours
5 Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) Approved Hours
5 Nebraska Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
5 Nevada Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 New Hampshire Advisory Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 New Jersey Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
5 North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
5 North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Ohio Chiropractic Board Approved Hours
5 Oklahoma Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
5 Oregon Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Prince Edward Island Massage Therapy Association (PEIMTA) Approved Hours
5 Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO) Approved Hours
5 South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel Approved Hours
5 South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure Approved Hours
5 Virginia Department of Health Professions (Massage Therapy) Approved Hours
5 Washington Board of Massage Approved Hours
5 Washington Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
5 West Virginia Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
5
Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.
Somatic Essentials: Core Techniques for Every Practitioner
Professional Reviews & Feedback
The reviews below represent feedback provided by students and practitioners through Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me.
★★★★★ 4.8 average rating across reviews collected via Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me“Lara Kolesar presents somatic concepts in a clear and grounded way. The course felt practical from the very beginning.”
Elodie M., LMT“A thoughtful course that helped me understand how somatic techniques can support body awareness and therapeutic presence.”
Tomasz R., PT“The course gave me useful language and practical tools for introducing somatic work into client sessions.”
Marisol V., RMT“I appreciated the calm, professional teaching style. The material was easy to follow and clinically relevant.”
Niko J., Sports Therapist“This course helped me slow down, observe more carefully, and work with clients in a more responsive way.”
Samira K., Massage Therapist“The techniques were explained clearly and felt immediately useful for clients dealing with tension and stress-related patterns.”
Luca E., Manual Therapist“A strong introduction to somatic practice. It gave me a more structured way to think about awareness, movement, and regulation.”
Ariane P., LMT“The course connected well with rehabilitation practice, especially around client education and nervous system awareness.”
Khalid S., OT“The demonstrations were gentle, clear, and easy to adapt. I found the course very relevant to manual therapy practice.”
Isla T., RMT“Lara explains the material without overcomplicating it. The course is accessible while still feeling professionally substantial.”
Matteo C., DC“This was a refreshing course. It helped me think more carefully about how clients experience movement and sensation.”
Priya L., Massage Therapist“I found the practical techniques useful for supporting relaxation, awareness, and more comfortable movement.”
Declan H., ATC“A well-organised course with a calm, thoughtful tone. The content was easy to apply in client-centred sessions.”
Nerea B., LMT“The course helped me better understand how somatic cues can support clients without forcing movement or outcomes.”
Oskar F., PTA“Excellent continuing education. The techniques were practical, respectful, and easy to integrate into existing treatment work.”
Renata D., RMT“I appreciated the emphasis on awareness and safety. The course gave me useful ideas for working with sensitive clients.”
Jonah W., Manual Therapist“The teaching was grounded and professional. I came away with techniques I can use without needing to change my whole practice.”
Celina A., Massage Therapist“The course added an important dimension to how I think about movement, recovery, and client self-awareness.”
Bastien Q., PT, DPT“A very useful course for therapists who want to bring more body awareness and nervous system sensitivity into their work.”
Mina G., LMT“Clear, practical, and thoughtfully presented. The course gave me a better framework for using somatic techniques with clients.”
Ravi Y., Sports Therapist .nat-student-reviews { margin: 50px 0; padding: 42px 0; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-bottom: 1px solid #e5e5e5; background: #ffffff; } .nat-section-heading { max-width: 1100px; margin: 0 auto 30px auto; text-align: left; padding: 0 20px; } .nat-section-heading h3 { margin: 0 0 8px; color: #545454; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.4; letter-spacing: 0.02em; text-transform: uppercase; } .nat-section-heading h2 { margin: 0 0 12px; color: #c3283d; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.3; } .nat-section-heading p { margin: 0 0 14px 0; max-width: 900px; color: #545454; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.7; } .nat-review-summary { display: inline-block; margin-top: 6px; padding: 8px 14px; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; background: #fafafa; color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.5; } .nat-review-scroll { display: flex; gap: 20px; overflow-x: auto; scroll-snap-type: x mandatory; padding: 20px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 340px; scroll-snap-align: start; background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #e4e4e4; border-left: 4px solid #c3283d; padding: 24px; } .nat-review-card p { margin: 0 0 18px; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.7; font-style: italic; } .nat-review-author { color: #545454; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; border-top: 1px solid #e6e6e6; padding-top: 12px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar { height: 8px; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background: #f0f0f0; } .nat-review-scroll::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background: #c3283d; } @media (max-width: 768px) { .nat-section-heading h2 { font-size: 26px; } .nat-review-card { flex: 0 0 290px; } .nat-review-summary { font-size: 13px; } }
