The 4 Somatic Archetypes

Each of us have a preferred somatic archetype, but it is possible to express the other 3 with practice to build range. There are situations where each disposition would be useful.

Warrior

This is the stance of resolution,. Gaze is tightly focused on a specific point, breathing is short through the nose to the throat, and firm muscular tone throughout the body. Energetically you feel as though you’re a race car driver with engines roaring. The momentum of your energy is forward.

You are Concerned about taking action, rousing energy and motivation and moving forward decisively. The warrior is a strategist and tactician, adapting quickly to new situations. Objectively assesses capabilities and limitations of a situation or people (including himself). Focused around a central commitment.

Predisposition for action: act decisively, be dutiful, loyal and to succeed

Emotional landscapes accessed: ambition, boldness and bravery, alertness, discipline, tenacity, subjective detached, self-denial for the cause, courage, endurance, dutifulness and loyalty.

Examples: top executives and managers, professional athletes

This is where conversations for coordinating action come from - organizing people and resources, moving forward with coordinated Action and committed execution. These conversations bring about the tangible achievement of declared goals and desired Results.

Lover

Opposite of the warrior.

This is the stance of openness. One’s gaze is diffused and soft, breathing is through the mouth down to the stomach, and muscular tone is light & supple throughout the body. Energetically your desire is to feel everything and to merge and be one with the universe. The momentum of your energy is moving backward.

You are concerned about creating, connectedness through feeling and merging in oneness. It is this stance that keeps the other three humane and energized. It is critically important for the well being of self and others.

Predisposition for action: satiate primal hungers, socialize, connect, rest and renew, heal, relate, listen, create, play, seek pleasure, be subjective, daydream, be nostalgic, do nothing in particular, seek meaning… and more.

Emotional landscapes accessed: empathy, intuition, desire, gentleness, enthusiasm, vitality, passion, compassion, longing, sensitivity, sensuality, playfulness, spontaneity, indulgence, addiction, joy, and being romantic about our lives and our goals.

Examples: artists, fictional writers, composers, innovators, and creators… anyone creating through feeling vs. thinking.

This is where the conversations for relationships come from. Deliberately learning about and connecting with others is the foundation for trust, care and more acceptance when conflicts arise. For example, asking about someone’s weekend sincerely in this stance indicates care about people as human beings beyond their position in an organization.

King / Queen

This is the stance of stability. One’s gaze is towards the infinite, breathing deeply & slowly through the nose to the pelvis, exhaling slowly through the nose, and with a moderate firm muscular tone throughout the body. The momentum of your energy is downwards, firmly rooting you in place.

You are concerned about order, fertility and blessings. You provide reason and rational operations, integrity, nurturing, generosity, integration and generative energy. Provides reassurance in chaotic situations.

Predisposition for action: provide order, peace and reliability; postpone gratification; facilitate systematic growth; provide nurturing and approval

Emotional landscapes accessed: calmness, subjective detached, dignified, patience, caring and steadiness

Examples: CEOs, parents, athletics coaches

This is where conversations for context setting and orientation comes from.

Magician

Opposite of the king / queen stance. Seems to also be known as the jester.

This is the stance of flexibility. One’s gaze is wide, taking in the entire panorama; breathing is a short and quick inhale through the nose with a long extended exhale through the mouth and a medium muscular tone throughout the body. Energetically you feel ready to solve the mysteries of the universe. The momentum of your energy is going up to your brain, to the sky.

you are concerned about awareness, illumination, technical skill, and knowledge for the benefit of others. You guide processes of transformation, thinking through issues that are not immediately apparent to others.

Predisposition for action: observe and monitor the data coming from within and without, and through wisdom, push the right buttons at the right time to channel outcomes.

Emotional landscapes accessed: insight, wisdom, subjective detachment, clear sightedness, thoughtfulness, reflection, and objective perspective.

Examples: inventors, scientists, doctors, technicians, lawyers

This is where conversations of Innovation and Speculation comes from. Involves productively exploring possibilities, alternatives and implications, playing “what if?” and drawing out the unique contributions of all involved.

This explanation comes from Language and the Pursuit of Leadership Excellence.