5 Places in NYC for Somatic Healing Outside of Therapy
NYC’s somatic therapy spots to help soothe your nervous system.
4 min read
Many of the clients who seek out somatic therapy are busy New Yorkers looking to carve out an hour during the week to slow down and connect more intentionally with their bodies. Somatic therapists emphasize the importance of connecting to your body outside of the once a week session. Whether you’re looking for movement or stillness, here are five places to intentionally care for your nervous system and foster a greater sense of embodiment.
Parks: The City’s natural spaces
Living in a fast-paced city, it’s easy to forget that the natural world is still accessible. Taking a break from screens and schedules to slow down and be in some of NYC’s parks can rewire your nervous system.
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan in the 1980s as a response to a growing health crisis linked to urbanization, stress, and overwork. The concept is simple: immerse yourself in a natural environment and engage your senses- slowly, intentionally, and without distraction. Forest bathing invites a shift to the parasympathetic nervous system- the “rest and digest state” - where deeper relaxation can occur within the body.
To engage in forest bathing, consider visiting these NYC parks: Central Park, Prospect Park, Mccarren Park.
Spas: Intentional heat and cold exposure
Spas which include saunas and cold plunge pools can be another way to engage in somatic therapy. Deliberate exposure to heat and cold can profoundly benefit both mental health and nervous system regulation. Intentional heat and cold exposure creates controlled stressors that teach the nervous system how to handle discomfort, return to regulation, and build resilience.
Here are some spas in NYC that include saunas and cold plunges: Bathhouse, World Spa, AIRE ancient baths.
Yoga Studios: movement and mindfulness
Yoga is a fantastic way to connect with your breath and body. Every posture (asana), every breath (pranayama), invites you to slow down and tune into the present moment.
NYC offers a diverse range of classes: The Studio Yoga, New Vibe Yoga, Yoga with Avery (online classes focused on queer and trans individuals.)
Meditation Centers: Quiet Your Mind
Anxiety thrives in the imagined futures- what if i fail? What if they don’t like me? What if something goes wrong? The nervous system, unable to distinguish real threat from imagine one, activates the same stress response: increased heart rate, shallow breath, muscle tension, racing thoughts. When we bring our attention to the present moment mindfully through meditation- we send a different message to the brain and body- I am safe. I am here. I am okay right now.
These meditation centers in NYC can help you practice somatic mindfulness and presence: The Shambhala Center, Kadampa Meditation Center, Three Jewels NYC.
Orienting: Attunement to the Present Moment
“Orienting,” a skill developed and popularized by Dr. Peter Levine, the creator of somatic experiencing, is a gentle, body-based practice that helps return the nervous system to safety by connecting us to our environment. You can creatively practice orienting anywhere you are– allow yourself to notice colors, shapes, light, texture, wherever you are, and track what the sight experience feels like in the body.
Here are some places to practice orienting in NYC: The Highline, Brooklyn Bridge, Hudson River Park.
Connecting to your body doesn’t always require a therapy session. Sometimes, it’s about finding spaces that allow you to slow down, breathe, and notice. NYC, with its diversity of environments and experiences, offers countless ways to engage your body and cultivate a sense of presence.These places offer diverse opportunities to tune into your body and find balance in a bustling city. Try exploring one—or all!—to see what resonates with you.