Somatics with Katya Zilbershteyn

💫 Hi, I’m Dr. Katya Zilbershteyn (Somatics & Breathwork – Ra’anana) I offer gentle, powerful sessions that help you:

✔ Calm your nervous system
✔ Release built-up stress & tension
✔ Feel more grounded, clear, and in control
✔ Reconnect to your body

🌿 Available for:

•⁠ ⁠Women’s circles
•⁠ ⁠Small group sessions
•⁠ ⁠Private events / gatherings
•⁠ ⁠⁠1:1 sessions

📍 Based in Ra’anana (Ahuza area)
📞 053-500-7499
https://www.mysomatica.com/en

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Right now is a time when many people feel like they’re “losing it.”
In Dan Siegel’s model, the brain is pictured as a fist with the thumb tucked in:
the thumb is the emotional brain, and the four fingers on top are the cerebral cortex. In acute stress, the fist “opens” and the emotional brain takes over.
In neurophysiology, this state is described as reduced control of the prefrontal cortex over the more ancient brain structures. Or more simply: an “amygdala hijack.”

What happens? The part of the brain responsible for awareness and choice temporarily goes “offline,” and automatic survival responses switch on: fight, flight, or freeze. And this is not weakness. This is how the nervous system is designed. Thanks to this mechanism, creatures with nervous systems have survived for millions of years.

But in moments like these, it’s important—whenever possible—to come back.
To a state where we remain human: calm, and still able to act.

A simple question can help: Where am I right now? Am I in sympathetic activation—tension and fight/flight? Or in shutdown—numbness, exhaustion, withdrawal? Or in a more regulated state where there is contact with myself and with others? How do I move up and down this ladder of states? And can I influence it even a little—returning to a steadier place?

This is the skill of self-regulation. And there are simple tools for it:
breath, attention to the body, mindful movement. In our circumstances, this is not about “self-development” and not a “luxury.” It’s basic self-care.

Because the cost of chronic stress for the body and psyche is very high.
Right now I’m facilitating nervous system regulation practices through breathing four times a week. You’re welcome to join. https://www.mysomatica.com/breathing

Motivation and Somatic Practice: Why Wanting It Isn’t Enough

When someone comes to somatic classes, they almost always say:
“I want less stress,”
“I want less pain,”
“I want to feel calmer.”

But after a couple of weeks, another question appears: why is it so hard to keep going regularly?

Desire is not the same as stable motivation. If the practice feels like “I should,” the nervous system begins to resist. If there is curiosity, a sense of exploration, and personal meaning, a completely different process begins.

Consistency matters because the nervous system changes through repetition of safe experience. One session can bring relief. Repeated experience gradually shifts baseline tone and habitual responses.

But there is a paradox: when a person is in chronic stress or exhaustion, the capacity to stay consistent decreases. Sometimes it’s not about willpower—it’s about the state of the nervous system.

What helps?
- A small step.
- A clear, simple rhythm.
- A sense of choice.
- A supportive environment.
- And most importantly: a small, real result.

When breathing suddenly feels a little easier.
When the shoulders soften.
When the feeling appears: “I can influence myself.”

This is where inner motivation is born—not from effort, but from a change the body has actually experienced.

Love and the Nervous System

I invite you to look deeper and consider love through the lens of neurophysiology. Love is not only a romantic experience or psychological compatibility. It is a state of the nervous system—a process of regulation, co-regulation, and the formation of secure attachment.

In the infatuation phase, the brain’s reward system is activated. Dopamine production increases; dopamine is linked to motivation, anticipation, and the experience of pleasure. This is a high-energy state, with intense focus on a partner and strong emotional involvement.

As secure attachment develops, the roles of oxytocin and vasopressin become more prominent.

Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone,” but its function is broader. It increases the significance of connection and reinforces the experience of safety. It is released through touch, hugs, gentle eye contact, shared laughter. On a physiological level, it helps the body “remember” the state of relaxation next to a particular person.

It’s important to understand that oxytocin does not create closeness on its own. It amplifies the context a person is in. If there is a sense of safety, the bond strengthens. If anxiety is activated, that can intensify too.

From the perspective of Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory, the ventral branch of the vagus nerve plays a key role in our capacity for closeness.

When the ventral vagus is active, a person feels safe. Facial expression shifts, the voice becomes softer, breathing deepens, and the body gains access to relaxation. In this state, social engagement, empathy, and the ability to hear and be heard are possible.

Love is impossible without a felt sense of physiological safety. If the nervous system is in chronic mobilization—fight or flight—closeness can be experienced as a threat. If a dorsal shutdown state predominates, contact may feel draining or unsafe.

Bonding arises when two organisms can synchronize. Research shows that close people may align breathing rhythms, heart rate variability, and even patterns of brain activity. This is not a metaphor—it is a biological process of co-regulation.

Gentle, safe touch activates C-tactile fibers in the skin. These slow afferent pathways are linked to emotional regulation and the affiliation system.

Through touch, the body receives the signal: “I’m not alone. I don’t need to defend myself.”

That is why hugs, a calm gaze, a warm voice carry not only psychological but also physiological meaning. They literally shift the state of the autonomic nervous system.

If early experience did not include enough co-regulation, closeness may trigger anxiety or avoidance. This is not a matter of willpower or maturity. It is a matter of how the nervous system adapted to earlier conditions.

An adult may sincerely want love, yet their body may respond with tension, fear of loss, a need for control, or distance.

Somatic therapy works precisely at this level. Through gradually restoring contact with the body, through a safe therapeutic alliance, and through the experience of stable regulation, the nervous system becomes more flexible.

Love is not only a match of values and interests. It is the nervous system’s ability to stay in contact without losing oneself. It is the capacity to be close while maintaining one’s own regulation. It is the skill of noticing one’s reactions and slowly expanding the window of tolerance for intimacy.

Neuroplasticity allows us to change throughout life. A new experience of safety—even in adulthood—can reshape attachment patterns.

Perhaps the essential question is: does my body feel safe next to this person? And if not, am I willing to gradually learn this experience?

New video is up on my YouTube channel:�Open Webinar “Relaxing Facial Muscles”. Smart Somatic Practices.

In this talk, we explore how stress shows up in the jaw (TMJ), between the eyebrows, around the eyes and mouth — and how gentle release can affect not only facial expression, but your overall state as well.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/GSdndi2KblY�If you find it helpful, please like, comment, and share with friends or family — it really supports the channel 🙏

The shoulders and arms are among the most complex and overused structures in the human body. They allow us to reach, lift, carry, write, embrace, and express ourselves — yet they are also a common site of chronic tension, pain, and restriction. From a Feldenkrais perspective, shoulder problems rarely originate in the shoulder alone. They reflect how the entire nervous system organizes movement, effort, and support.

The Moshe Feldenkrais Method approaches shoulder and arm function not through strengthening or stretching isolated muscles, but through improving coordination, sensory awareness, and the distribution of effort throughout the whole body.

Anatomically, the shoulder joint sacrifices stability for mobility. It relies heavily on the organization of the rib cage, spine, clavicles, and pelvis for efficient movement. When the torso is stiff or poorly organized, the arms often compensate by working harder than necessary. Over time, this leads to overuse, compression, and pain.

Feldenkrais lessons help clarify how arm movements are supported by the trunk and transmitted through the skeleton. When movement is better distributed — for example, when turning the ribs or shifting weight through the pelvis — the shoulders can soften and move with less strain.

From a neuroscience perspective, the Feldenkrais Method aligns with contemporary research on neuroplasticity and motor learning. The brain does not learn movement through force, but through variation, attention, and sensory feedback.

Gentle, slow, and non-repetitive movements — a hallmark of Feldenkrais lessons — stimulate the sensory cortex and improve the brain’s internal maps of the arms and shoulders. Studies in motor control show that improved sensory discrimination leads to more efficient motor output, reducing unnecessary muscle activation and co-contraction.

This explains why people often experience increased range of motion, reduced pain, and a sense of lightness in the arms without stretching or strengthening exercises.

Many shoulder issues are linked not to weakness, but to excessive baseline muscle tone — habitual holding that persists even at rest. Feldenkrais lessons invite the nervous system to recognize when effort is unnecessary.

By exploring movements in multiple directions, at different speeds, and with frequent pauses, practitioners learn to differentiate between action and rest. This ability to “let go” is not passive relaxation, but an active neurological skill that improves coordination and resilience.

Arms and hands occupy a disproportionately large area in the sensory and motor cortex. They are closely linked to intention, communication, and emotional expression. As coordination improves, many people report not only physical changes, but also shifts in confidence, ease of action, and emotional regulation.

This reflects the inseparable relationship between movement, perception, and emotional state — a core principle of the Feldenkrais Method.

Working with the shoulders and arms through the Feldenkrais Method is a process of re-educating the nervous system, not fixing a body part. By enhancing awareness, improving whole-body coordination, and reducing unnecessary effort, the arms regain their natural mobility, strength, and expressiveness.

The result is not only freer shoulders, but more intelligent, adaptable movement in daily life.

Thinking of becoming a somatic therapist? Here's what you need to know before starting your training.

If you're considering training in somatic therapy and hope to work in this field in the future, here are some important points to keep in mind from the very beginning:

1. Training takes time.
Basic programs typically last from 2 to 5 years. This isn’t a quick course — it’s a deep, ongoing process. Even after graduating, you’ll continue learning, receiving supervision, and growing as a professional.

2. Personal practice is the foundation of the profession.
You can’t support others unless you’ve experienced the process in your own body. You’ll need a regular movement practice and your own therapy — both to prevent burnout and to build professional resilience.

3. Don’t delay hands-on practice.
Start applying your knowledge as early as possible — even if it’s unpaid at first. Real growth comes not only from studying, but also from working with real people. Don’t wait for the “perfect readiness.”

4. Choose your method mindfully.
Before enrolling in any program, explore the details: Does it offer international certification? Is it recognized in other countries? What are the supervision requirements? What is the community like? All of this matters for your future in the field.

5. Somatic therapy sits at the intersection of two worlds:
the body and the psyche. You’ll need a solid understanding of both — how the body and nervous system work, how psychological pain manifests, and how to gently support it through the body.

6. Your inner state is your main tool.
A somatic therapist is a source of stability for the client. Emotional maturity, resilience, and the ability to stay grounded in the presence of another’s pain are essential.

Before you begin your training, ask yourself:
• Am I ready for a long-term path?
• Do I know how to take care of myself?
• Which method or approach truly speaks to me?

This profession requires time and depth — but it is profoundly alive and deeply meaningful.

Contact me. I'm ready to consult and share my experience.

I'd be happy to hear from you! You can also leave a comment if you have any further questions on this topic.

Dear friends,

As we light the Hanukkah candles, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for being part of our somatic practices community this year. Together, we've shared practices that support our inner light, resilience, and connection — especially during challenging times.

May these practices continue to offer you grounding and clarity.
And may the coming year bring even more healing, hope, and light into your life.

Chag Chanukah Sameach 🕎
Katya Zilberstein & the team

When we talk about movement, most people immediately think of the legs.

But legs are not just a means of locomotion. They are a system of support, balance, and spatial orientation. They constantly inform the brain: “Here I am, here is the ground, this is how I stand on it.”
A special role belongs to the feet — our small yet incredibly complex “sensors of support.”

This is a living, moving architecture designed to:

bear the weight of the body,

adapt to uneven surfaces,

absorb impact during walking,

help maintain balance,

initiate movement upward through the entire kinetic chain: foot → knee → pelvis → spine.

Modern neurophysiology adds an important insight: the feet are a continuous source of sensory feedback for the brain. The way we touch the ground affects muscle tone throughout the entire body and the functioning of the nervous system.
But how often do we actually feel our feet? Most people live “higher up” — in the head, the shoulders, the lower back… but not in their support.

When the feet stop functioning as sensitive, adaptive support, the body begins to compensate:

we hang on the lower back,

the shoulders and neck take on work that isn’t theirs,

the knees suffer from overload,

the gait becomes rigid,

the sense of stability is lost.

And this affects not only biomechanics.

Research shows that loss of contact with support increases stress and anxiety — the nervous system no longer receives the signal “it’s safe.”
Many common complaints — back pain, knee pain, a tense neck, the sensation of “brain fog,” heightened anxiety — often begin… with unconscious feet.

Thomas Hanna once wrote:
“We age from the top down, but we rejuvenate from the bottom up.”
Working with the feet and ankles makes it possible to:

reduce chronic muscle tension,

improve coordination,

restore mobility to the knees and pelvis,

normalize walking patterns.

When the feet “wake up,” the body reorganizes its movement in a more economical and natural way.

Give your legs the attention they deserve.
It is an investment in balance, lightness, stability, and calm — at the level of both the body and the nervous system.