TikTok Workout Witch: 40-Year-Old’s Viral Success

From Chronic Pain to TikTok Fame: How “The Workout Witch” Is Harnessing Neuroscience Through Movement

A former professional dancer turned somatic movement expert, Liz Tenuto, is captivating millions online with her unique approach to healing trauma and regulating the nervous system. Her viral videos demonstrate exercises rooted in neuroscience, offering a pathway to emotional well-being and a sense of groundedness in an increasingly anxious world.

The Path to Somatics: From psychology to the Body

To better understand her own chronic pain and insomnia,Liz Tenuto initially pursued a degree in psychology.This academic journey led her to explore various psychotherapeutic approaches, including EMDR, and a deeper understanding of the intricate workings of the nervous system. However, it was a suggestion from her ballet teacher that ultimately set her on the path to becoming “The Workout Witch.”

“It was actually my ballet teacher who noticed that I was very dissociated when I wasn’t dancing,” Tenuto, 40, explained. “They kind of nudged me to take a somatics class.”

Demystifying Somatic Exercises

In 2008, somatic exercises were a relatively unknown practice. Tenuto initially approached them with skepticism,admitting,”For me,it just looked like a bunch of people rolling around in their pajamas on the floor. So I was very skeptical at first, especially with an academic background.”

However, she soon discovered the profound impact of these gentle, mindful movements. Somatic exercises are designed to release tension held within the body, emphasizing how you feel rather than how you look. Yoga, breathwork, and dance are all considered forms of somatic movement.

“Its micro-movements. They’re really tiny,and you do very little in a class,” Tenuto described. “We maybe did three or four movements in an entire hour and a half class. And it had profound effects.” The repeated practice, she explained, reinforces a sense of safety within the body.

Try this: Simple Somatic Exercise

Body Scan: Lie down comfortably and bring your awareness to diffrent parts of your body, noticing any sensations without judgment. This helps you connect with your physical self and identify areas of tension.

The polyvagal Theory and Nervous System Regulation

At the core of Tenuto’s work lies the polyvagal theory, which explains the interplay between the nervous system and emotional regulation. The nervous system operates on a spectrum, ranging from sympathetic activation – the “fight-or-flight” response – to parasympathetic activation – characterized by “freeze” or shutdown.

tenuto highlights the importance of achieving a “ventral vagal state,” a balanced state of homeostasis. “You’re balanced, you’re social, you’re grounded, you’re regulated,” she explained.

According to Tenuto, somatic exercises can help individuals shift into this ventral vagal state, fostering emotional regulation and breaking free from cycles of fight or flight. “you’re just reinforcing safety in your body as you do them over and over again, and you’re practicing this regulated state,” she said. “It’s similar to building muscle. As you continue to build those new neural pathways and practice the exercises, that starts to become stronger than some of your trauma responses.”

Understanding the Nervous System

Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares the body for action, increasing heart rate and alertness.

Parasympathetic Nervous System: Promotes relaxation and conserves energy, slowing heart rate and digestion.

Ventral Vagal State: A state of safety and connection, allowing for social engagement and emotional regulation.

From Personal Struggle to TikTok Sensation

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a pivotal moment for Tenuto. Facing personal challenges, including a divorce, and struggling with her own well-being, she began sharing short videos of somatic exercises on TikTok in 2020.

“I was posting the exercises, really to just hold me accountable for doing one exercise per day. Because at that time, I was having a really hard time just getting out of bed,” she confessed. “I was very sad at the time.”

To her surprise, her account rapidly gained traction, growing from zero to 10,000 followers in just two to three weeks. Today, she boasts over 2.2 million followers. Prior to the pandemic, Tenuto had worked with individual clients, guiding them through injury recovery with Pilates and somatics. The eager response on social media affirmed her belief in the power of sharing her work online.

“The Workout Witch” and the Power of Neuroscience in Movement

Tenuto embraced the moniker “the Workout Witch” as she observed that people frequently enough perceived a sense of magic or somthing inexplicable when experiencing the benefits of her exercises.”When people experience these exercises, they do think that there’s some magic, and some like woo woo stuff going on with them,” she noted. “I wish there was, but it’s really just using neuroscience with movement.”

Now, Tenuto’s demonstrations of somatic therapy for trauma healing, anxiety relief, and overcoming “functional freeze” consistently go viral, reaching a broad audience seeking accessible tools for emotional and physical well-being.

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Beyond the Basics: Exploring Different Types of Somatic Therapies

While Liz Tenuto’s online content offers a valuable entry point, the world of somatic therapy extends far beyond simple exercises.Understanding the diverse approaches within this field can empower individuals to find the methods best suited for their needs. Somatic therapy, in its essence, emphasizes the crucial connection between the body and the mind in healing [[1]].

Somatic therapy encompasses a range of techniques, each with its unique focus. Some therapies may prioritize specific movements, while others, like Somatic Experiencing (SE), focus on guided awareness of bodily sensations. It’s a continually evolving field, with practitioners often integrating different approaches.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE is a powerful approach for addressing trauma. It helps individuals release trapped trauma by focusing on the body’s felt sense, allowing them to gradually process and regulate overwhelming experiences [[3]]. Unlike talk therapy that focuses on the narrative, SE centers on the physical sensations associated with traumatic memories.The goal is to enhance resilience and promote overall well-being [[3]]. Dr.Levine’s work recognized that trauma is frequently enough stored in the body, manifesting as physical symptoms like chronic pain, digestive issues or unexplained fatigue.

Body-Oriented Psychotherapy

this broad category integrates somatic practices with traditional psychotherapy. It often involves exploring the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. Therapeutic interventions may include breathwork,movement,and touch (with consent),deepening the exploration of body awareness. A skilled practitioner can help clients to become aware of patterns of tension, and develop strategies for relaxation, grounding and self-regulation.

Hakomi Therapy

hakomi is a mindfulness-based, body-centered psychotherapy approach. It emphasizes gentle exploration of the client’s experience in the present moment. Hakomi therapists use guided awareness and mindful movement to help clients uncover core beliefs and implicit memories. It utilizes principles of non-violence, mindfulness, and loving presence to create a safe and supportive environment for healing.

Dance/Movement Therapy

This type of somatic therapy leverages the power of movement and dance to promote emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration. Through creative expression and exploration of movement patterns, individuals can process emotions, address trauma, and enhance self-awareness. Dance/movement therapists utilize techniques like mirroring and attunement to create a safe, and collaborative therapeutic relationship.

The Key Benefits of Somatic Practices

Whether you are looking to overcome a traumatic experience or a physical pain issue, somatic practices offer many advantages:

• Increased Body Awareness: Somatic exercises