What is the Insula and Somatics?

Why inner awareness matters. ​Interoception, our eighth sense, is often described as the body’s internal awareness system. It helps you recognize what is happening beneath the surface before you may have words for it. For example, interoception may help you notice: ​ A tight chest when you feel anxious A heavy feeling when you are grieving A clenched jaw when you are under stress A sense of numbness when you are overwhelmed A deeper breath when your body begins to feel safe ​ The insula helps organize and interpret these internal signals. When you become more aware of what your body is communicating, you can begin to respond with more clarity, compassion, and choice.

The body is not separate from your emotional life. ​Many of us are taught to push through, override discomfort, and keep going — especially during seasons of burnout, grief, parenting, caretaking, chronic stress, or major life transition. ​ Over time, this can create a disconnection from the body. You may stop noticing your needs, your limits, your emotions, or the early signs that your nervous system is overwhelmed. ​ Somatic work helps rebuild that connection. ​ Because the insula is involved in body awareness and emotional processing, it offers a beautiful lens for understanding why somatic practices can be so powerful. By slowing down and noticing the body, you can begin to reconnect with the signals, sensations, and inner wisdom that may have been ignored for years.