Somatic Therapy San Francisco: Why Meditation is Hard and How to Start
Why Meditation Is Difficult: A Somatic Therapy San Francisco Perspective
I have to confess: I spent a great deal of time avoiding meditation. In my early twenties, my mind felt too chaotic, and my anxiety would cause every undesirable thought I had to bubble up. With these thoughts, uncomfortable feelings would start to surface. As someone who feels emotions deeply, I found the experience uncomfortable, and feeling those emotions was painful.
So, I spent many years avoiding meditation and the feelings that would automatically come with it. The experience of sitting with uncomfortable and at times unpleasant feelings and emotions — and thus avoiding meditation — is certainly not unique to me. I imagine this is common when starting a meditation practice.
However, I don’t believe that many people actually take the time to break down why this practice is hard and why the benefits still outweigh the unpleasantness. As a yoga teacher and somatic therapist in San Francisco, I am familiar with the struggle that meditation can be and still recommend it to my clients. Below, I will explain a bit more about why meditation is difficult.
Three Reasons Meditation Is Hard — From a Somatic Therapy San Francisco Practitioner
1) Meditation Requires Us to Be Still
When tasked with sitting still and not doing anything at the same time, many people struggle. In the modern age, we use our phones as a way to soothe ourselves without realizing it, and being disconnected from our phones can prove very challenging.
We are not used to feeling bored or restless, and we often use our phones any time we don’t wish to acknowledge a feeling. Being stripped of one of the main ways we cope can therefore feel difficult.
2) Meditation Invites Us to Examine Our Thoughts Without Believing Them
When I was younger, I had trouble discerning that thoughts were not facts. Just because my mind comes up with a thought does not mean I need to
keep thinking it, or
believe that thought to be true.
I see that same struggle with many of my clients seeking somatic therapy in San Francisco. They often believe that the most negative thoughts their brain produces are true, often to their own detriment. These negative thoughts, when believed and repeated, hold immense power.
Meditation allows us to notice a thought without becoming emotionally invested in it. The thought comes up, and instead of following it or wondering where it came from, meditation invites us to let that thought go. The process of examining and releasing our thoughts can prove challenging at first. It is a new skill that is practiced each time you meditate.
3) Meditation Brings Up the Feelings We Try to Suppress
The hardest part about feelings we don’t want to feel is deconstructing the defenses we have created to avoid them. We can stay in our heads — overthinking, ruminating, and intellectualizing — in order not to feel “bad” emotions.
However, what exists on the other side of allowing ourselves to stay with these feelings is a freedom that comes from knowing you can survive discomfort. Meditation offers a path to sit with painful emotions and find the peace that comes after allowing those feelings to be acknowledged and processed.
When you can sit with your emotions without distracting yourself or running away, you may find that the need for those defenses begins to fade.
Somatic Therapy San Francisco Tips on How to Start a Meditation Practice
Now that you know some of the challenges — and some of the benefits — of meditation, how do you begin practicing in a way that feels accessible? Below are some tips on how to start a meditation practice.
1) Start Small
Spending even five minutes a day meditating can begin to calm your mind and connect you with how you feel. If five minutes feels daunting, start with two minutes. Remove distractions (put that phone away!) and find a place where you can comfortably sit or lie down. Set a timer and allow yourself that time.
2) Start With a Type of Meditation That Works for You
Guided meditations may be a good place to start if you have trouble focusing. Likewise, mindful movement such as yoga may feel more accessible than sitting in silence initially.
If all else fails, try a quick body scan or self check-in — even two minutes is enough — to get the ball rolling.
3) Aim for Consistency, Not Perfection
The more you practice meditation, the more ease you may find in clearing your mind and sitting with your feelings. However, if you tend to be overly critical and know that you may engage in negative self-talk if you miss a day, start with an achievable goal such as practicing once or twice a week.
Notice when you meditate and praise yourself for showing up to your practice.
Learn More About Somatic Therapy in San Francisco
Somatic therapy can also be of benefit in addition to starting a meditation practice. Somatic therapy helps clients connect their mind and body to help provide psychological healing. Below are some frequently asked questions about somatic therapy.
FAQS About Somatic Therapy San Francisco
1.. What if I feel uncomfortable in my body?
That’s actually one of the most common reasons people come to this work. We go slowly and compassionately. Your comfort and consent are always prioritized.
2. Is this therapy or coaching?
This is therapy. I’m a licensed mental health professional trained in somatic and dance/movement therapy. We work with both emotional and physical experiences to support deep healing.
3. How often do we meet?
Most clients meet weekly. Consistency is key, especially early on as we build trust and momentum.
4. Can we do somatic therapy virtually?
Yes! Many clients choose online sessions and find the work still very powerful, even through a screen. I’ll guide you in creating a supportive space at home.
5. What if I cry or feel overwhelmed during a session?
That’s okay. Big feelings are welcome here. You’ll never be left alone in those moments—we’ll move through them together.
5. What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?
Somatic therapy often works when other modalities don’t, especially if you’ve struggled to connect with your emotions or body. This approach goes beyond insight and into embodied change.
7. Do you work with trauma?
Yes, many of my clients are healing from developmental, relational, or complex trauma. Somatic therapy can be especially helpful for trauma recovery.
8. How do I know if this is right for me?
We’ll figure that out together. The free consult is a great time to talk through what you’re needing and whether this work aligns.
9. What should I wear to sessions?
Anything comfortable that lets you move freely. No need to dress up. Come as you are.
Lastly, if you have questions about starting meditation, somatic therapy in San Francisco, or any other therapy-related topic, feel free to reach out to me at lisa@lisamanca.com. I am happy to assist you on your mental health journey.