Map
What Does “State First” Mean?
Choosing a tool before noticing your state is like choosing a route before checking where you are on the map.
“State first, technique second” is the core principle behind the Soma Atlas method. It means pausing to notice what is happening before deciding what to try.
Three questions
What am I noticing? Do I need less activation, more activation, or more orientation and support? What is the smallest safe experiment?
Working labels, not diagnoses
Labels like revved, low or mixed are working descriptions for self-observation. They are not measurements and they are not diagnoses — they simply help you choose a reasonable next step.
Try, re-check, record
After a short experiment, re-check how you feel and record what you notice. Over time, this becomes your own map.
Educational content only. Not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.