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Have you ever worked with a practitioner whose mere presence seemed to shift something in your nervous system before they even touched you?

As somatic practitioners and healing seekers, many of us have felt these moments---but few understand what creates them. In our latest podcast episode, Alex sits down with Simba Stenqvist, a TRE® trainer and somatic innovator based in Thailand, to explore the mysterious art of masterful facilitation and his revolutionary modality called Internal Alchemy.

Internal Alchemy isn't just another technique---it's a comprehensive approach that weaves together neurogenic tremoring, fascial work, breathwork, and energetic practices. But what makes this conversation truly special is Simba's insight into what transforms good practitioners into extraordinary ones. Whether you're a massage therapist, somatic educator, trauma-informed practitioner, or someone on your own healing journey---this episode offers wisdom about presence, intuition, and the body's innate intelligence.

1. True Innovation Honors Lineage While Moving Forward

Simba beautifully articulates how respecting traditional practices means bringing them into contemporary relevance. Just as yoga had to adapt for people who sit at computers eight hours a day, somatic modalities must evolve to meet current needs. Internal Alchemy emerged from this inquiry---not as a replacement for TRE®, but as an expansion that includes fascial, energetic, and breathwork dimensions that Simba discovered enhanced his clients' experiences.

2. Masterful Practitioners Work With "Who's in Front of Them"

Rather than following rigid protocols, Simba advocates for an "old school" approach---meeting each person exactly where they are. He shares stories from his Thai massage teacher who, despite decades of experience, would never give theoretical answers but would say, "Bring them here and I'll show you." This highlights how true mastery comes from presence, not procedures.

3. Fascial Work Accesses What Nervous System Approaches Might Miss

While TRE® focuses on neurogenic tremoring, Simba discovered that combining it with fascial work creates access to deeper layers of stored experience. As he explains, "When you work with fascia, it's like taking a towel and wringing it---whatever's stuck in the tissue will come out." This integration allows for more comprehensive release and integration.

4. Presence Itself Is Medicine

Both Alex and Simba explore the phenomenon where experienced practitioners can create shifts simply through their quality of presence. Simba shares how David Berceli's mere presence caused his jaw to tremor during their first podcast together. This points to something beyond technique---a transmission that happens organism-to-organism when someone is deeply grounded and authentic.

5. The Body Speaks in Languages Beyond the Nervous System

While honoring the neurobiological foundation of TRE®, Internal Alchemy acknowledges that the body's expressions might be energetic, spiritual, or simply mysterious. Simba encourages practitioners to stay curious about what's actually happening rather than immediately labeling experiences. This creates space for clients to find their own language and understanding for their healing process.

6. Authentic Witnessing Can Reframe Traumatic Experiences

One of the most powerful insights from this conversation is how being witnessed in a safe, accepting space can literally rewire traumatic imprints. Simba explains how trauma often isn't just about what happened, but about how we were witnessed (or not witnessed) during vulnerable moments. Creating containers where people can be seen and celebrated in their authenticity becomes deeply healing.

This episode is an invitation to trust the mystery of the body's intelligence while developing the presence and skill to facilitate its expression. Whether you're exploring your own healing or supporting others, Simba's work reminds us that the body truly is the portal---and sometimes the most powerful tool we have is simply showing up with genuine curiosity, groundedness, and care.

Ready to explore what becomes possible when ancient wisdom meets modern understanding? This conversation will shift how you think about healing, presence, and the untapped potential that lives within every nervous system.