Magnifying in Somatic Coaching

You could argue that there are two forms of communication, verbal and non-verbal. At The Somatic School we like to say that of the two, non-verbal is the more truthful.

For example, when a client is talking you might find that their hands are moving in all manner of ways. Why let that go to waste?

Whilst these gestures may be unconscious, they reveal our deepest truths.

A skill that you could use is called magnifying. You can take the hand gestures of a client and actually take a moment to pause and check in with, “What is the body communicating there?”

What's the deeper truth about the client that they may not be consciously aware of, but that's being communicated by the body?

Roots in Gestalt Therapy

Magnifying is originally a Gestalt technique adapted for body-oriented coaching. In Gestalt work the client is asked to repeat and exaggerate some nonverbal action or expression so that he or she becomes more aware of any associated thoughts, feelings, images etc. This could be tapping or swinging the foot, stroking or holding onto body parts, shifting posture, hand gestures, and so on.

In Gestalt you might hear this skill referred to as ‘Exaggeration’ or ‘Amplification’ because of this invitation to enlarge the movement, sometimes to the point of cathartic release. In body-oriented coaching, we choose Magnifying because, while we follow much the same process, we are not pushing for any kind of release that is not already happening, organically in its own time. Instead we are simply drawing focused attention to the micro-movement and bringing it into awareness.

How it Works in Practice

As you track your client and notice something that seems interesting, you might say something like:

• “you might just let that happen/do that again/continue that [as you mirror your client’s nonverbal behaviour] and notice what happens/notice what comes up…”.

Mirroring our client’s movements allows you to call attention to what was likely an unconscious action, as it’s happening in the moment, without the need to point it out verbally (which can take clients out of the experience).

Later you might say:

• “see if it feels right to give that a voice…” and invite your client to bring some verbalisation alongside the movement.

Retroflection

Magnifying also works with the Gestalt idea of Retroflection. The movement we’re Magnifying is often a “micro-action” of an action one wants to do to the environment, but inhibits or turns inward instead. For example, you might see your client unconsciously thumping their thigh when they want to hit, or holding themselves when they want to be held. Magnifying often brings these wants and needs to conscious awareness.

Sometimes this simultaneous desire to act and fear of the consequences results in muscular tension and immobility. Sometimes Retroflection is functional and necessary for self-regulation.

We might see a slight rocking of the body, one thumb stroking the other thumb, twirling their hair. Magnifying is a great way to support these gentle moments as they happen, non-verbally and without the need to analyse. In turn, the client is able to register the supports that are arising from their own system and experience the benefits they offer.

The Neuro-Physiological Explanation

Magnifying isn’t just intuitive—it’s backed by neuroscience. Mirroring in body psychotherapy taps into several scientific concepts:

• Mirror Neurons: When you mirror a client’s movement, it activates their mirror neurons, which are brain cells that respond both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing the same action. This neural mirroring helps us understand and empathise with others’ experiences, creating a sense of connection and safety.

• Somatosensory Cortex: Bringing awareness to movement engages this brain region, which enhances our ability to sense and interpret physical sensations. By noticing subtle shifts in posture or movement, we gain access to underlying emotions or patterns that might otherwise remain unconscious.

• Vagus Nerve Activation: Gentle attention to movement can stimulate the vagus nerve, part of the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a state of calm and receptivity.

These mechanisms create the ideal conditions for transformation, blending mindfulness, neuroscience, and somatics.

Want to learn more about Body-Oriented Coaching?

Are you a coach looking to bring the body into your practice? Or maybe you are searching for the right coach training programme to become a somatic coach?

Follow your intuition and come on inside! When you know, you know…

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This article was authored by Nathan Blair. It was edited by Meryl Rowlands.