Progressive Somatic Release Sequence
Release surface tension before progressing to deeper muscles and integration
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Time to result
- ~weeks to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 84%
Tenuto describes a deliberate progression for her somatic sessions rather than starting with the deepest or most emotionally charged area. The sequence begins by releasing habitual tension in superficial muscles, including the back, pelvis, jaw, shoulders, and trapezius. Only later, around day 18 in the programme she describes, does she introduce psoas release. The work then moves into nervous-system regulation and ends with integration. Her stated mechanism is that gradual sequencing prepares the body before deeper work and avoids creating a large release without a settling phase. These are Tenuto's therapeutic claims in the interview, not independently established outcomes in the transcript, so the framework should be treated as her practice model rather than medical guidance.
Origin
Extracted from Habits & Hustle. Tenuto explained the sequence while discussing how she approaches people who report betrayal trauma and a tight psoas.
Core principles
- 01Begin with superficial tension before deeper release
- 02Treat the psoas as a later-stage muscle rather than a starting point
- 03Follow muscular work with nervous-system regulation
- 04Finish with integration instead of stopping after an intense release
How to run it
- 1
Map surface tension
Notice habitual tension in accessible areas such as the back, pelvis, jaw, shoulders, and trapezius. Tenuto identifies these as the starting layer in her programme.
Pro tip Start with areas that can be approached gently rather than targeting the deepest muscle first.
Watch out The transcript does not provide a complete exercise protocol for releasing each area.
- 2
Release superficial muscles
Work through the surface-muscle layer before progressing deeper. Tenuto says this prepares participants for later psoas work.
Watch out Do not interpret emotional explanations as proof that pain lacks a physical cause.
- 3
Progress to the psoas
Introduce psoas release only after the earlier stages. In Tenuto's described programme, she waits until about day 18 rather than beginning there.
Pro tip Use the programme order as a pacing constraint, not an invitation to force a deep release.
Watch out Tenuto describes manual psoas work as potentially very painful and does not teach the gentle technique in this transcript.
- 4
Regulate the nervous system
After the muscular stages, shift the focus to nervous-system regulation. Tenuto presents this as a distinct phase of the sequence.
Watch out The interview does not specify the exact regulation exercises used in this phase.
- 5
Integrate the experience
End with integration rather than stopping immediately after deeper work. Tenuto says this prevents leaving participants with only a large, unresolved experience.
Pro tip Preserve a settling phase whenever deeper work is introduced.
In the wild
Asked how she would work with someone reporting betrayal trauma, Tenuto did not propose an immediate psoas release. She said she starts with superficial tension in the back, pelvis, jaw, shoulders, and trapezius, introduces the psoas around day 18, then moves into nervous-system regulation and integration.
→ The participant progresses from accessible muscular work to deeper work and a final settling phase; the transcript reports the sequence, not a measured clinical outcome.
Common mistakes
Starting with the psoas
Tenuto explicitly says she does not begin with psoas release and first works through superficial muscles.
Treating the sequence as diagnosis
The guest tells listeners to obtain medical assessment first; the interview does not establish that unexplained pain is necessarily emotional.
Skipping integration
The described progression ends with integration so participants are not left immediately after a large experience.
Is it for you?
Best for
It is best for people exploring Tenuto's guided somatic approach after medical causes of pain have been assessed.
Not ideal for
It is not ideal as a substitute for medical assessment or as a self-guided deep psoas intervention.
From the episode
Episode 552: Liz Tenuto: Why Stress Gets "Stuck" In The Body, The Science of Somatics, & How to Finally Let It Go
Liz Tenuto