Soma

In a world where self-expression is increasingly tied to how we look, dress, and present ourselves, it’s no surprise that the body is becoming recognised as not just a vessel for life but also a canvas for personal creativity. From the clothes we wear to the way we move, the body plays a central role in how we experience and share our sense of self with the world. This brings us to the fascinating concept of somaesthetics, a field that focuses on the body as both a medium for sensory perception and a site for self-creation.

At its core, soma refers to the body in its living, dynamic state—an active, ever-reacting entity that is constantly engaged with the world. The term “soma” goes beyond the idea of the body as mere matter; it emphasises the body as something that feels, expresses, and creates. The sensitive body is not only a biological system responding to stimuli, but a medium through which we engage with our surroundings.

In this context, sensory appreciation becomes a vital part of our human experience. Sensation, whether it’s the touch of fabric on skin, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, or the visual pleasure of a well-curated outfit, is part of how we process the world. Our bodies are the lenses through which we see, hear, smell, and feel everything around us. Through this heightened awareness of sensation, we not only gain a deeper understanding of our environment but also of ourselves.

Some, like philosopher Richard Shusterman, have argued that somaesthetics challenges the traditional aesthetic focus on “visual beauty” by emphasising the multisensory aspects of experiencing art, beauty, and self-expression. It’s about appreciating not just what we see, but what we feel, hear, and experience in a much more embodied, dynamic way.

The word “aesthetics” comes from the Greek term aisthesis, meaning sensation or perception. It’s the study of beauty and art, but its roots are deeply connected to how the body experiences the world through the senses. Aesthetics, at its core, is not just about what we see or hear; it’s about how we experience those things through our bodies.

This is where the soma becomes key: it’s not just a physical object; it’s the active site of aesthetic appreciation. Our bodies, in their sensory capacity, are constantly interpreting the world. Whether it’s feeling the texture of a fabric, enjoying the flow of a movement, or appreciating the beauty of a piece of art, the soma—our living, sensitive body—is where these experiences are felt.

It’s crucial to understand that the body, in the somaesthetic sense, is not just a passive object. Soma is an active, living thing—it’s dynamic, ever-changing, and constantly reacting to the world around it, even when we’re not consciously aware of it. Think about how your body reacts to a new environment or how you feel when you try on a new outfit. Even while sleeping, your body is still processing sensations, adjusting, and responding to its surroundings.

Somaesthetics invites us to consider the body as more than just an object to be beautified or used. It encourages us to see it as the site of creativity and personal transformation. When we move beyond the stereotypes of “ideal” beauty and focus instead on how we engage with the world, we open up new possibilities for creative expression through the body.

Somaesthetics may seem at first sight like an unnecessary term to engage within conversations on education. Yet it is words such as this that allow us to re-think education and what education means and why we do what we do. Someaesthetics is just one example of a key that opens a small door into making students and their teachers more human. Not machines capable of creativity but humans who are inherently creative by nature.

Until next time,

Mon x