Group Somatic Practice for Embodied Resilience

The purpose of these sessions is to help build capacity and meet the increasing need for individual and collective embodied resilience amidst the work of resisting, dismantling, and healing from systemic oppression; and co-creating a post-racial capitalist world in which all life is honored. In these sessions, your group will learn about how the nervous system functions and how we can intentionally track and work with it in the context of our organizing and direct action work, and related trauma and triggers. We will engage with accessible somatic (body-based) practices that help resource our bodies, minds, and spirits for the big movement work you/we are up to. No previous experience with somatics is required. All bodies, identities, and life experiences welcome. I aim to foster a space that is inclusive and supportive of all gender expressions, sexual orientations, dis/abilities, racial identities, class backgrounds, and learning styles. Video presence is welcome and supports relational attunement and coherence among the group, however is not required to participate. Sessions are not recorded to preserve confidentiality for participants.

Why invest in this type of support?

Sublimating or disconnecting from our body and its wise messages is often necessary for survival, yet unless we actively and compassionately work with the body to reintegrate and re-inhabit our body, our presence and work in the world is likely to be undermined. When we are aware of, in touch with, and in loving dialogue with our bodies, we have the internal resourcing we need to collaborate and co-conspire in grounded, relational, and transformative ways. These sessions draw from a multi-disciplinary well of body-based modalities and practices that support your group's efficacy, cohesion, and resilience. Somatic practice allows us to:

  • Co-create a space of mutual care to be honest about our emotional realities and not have to hide exhaustion or perform hope;

  • Reflect on how systems of oppression, trauma, and grief show up in our our bodies and our work, and how we can engage with our

    own and others’ agency and dignity;

  • Learn to stay centered in our values, commitments, and visions when under pressure;

  • Explore the boundaries and somatic and spiritual practices that support and sustain our work in the world; and

  • Nurture a community of support with change makers who share a commitment to collective healing and liberation.

What type of time commitment are we talking about?

This offering can be scheduled as a one-time session, series of sessions, or as recurring sessions, based on the needs of your group. All sessions are done via zoom at this time unless covid safe arrangements are made for Michigan groups.

Sessions are 60, 75, or 90 min, with a maximum group size of 15.

Please send me a message here to book a complimentary call to discuss rates and scheduling.

Past organizational clients and groups have included:

Congregation T’Chiyah | Detroit, MI

Detroit Disability Power | Detroit, MI

Repair the World | Detroit, MI 

Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona | AZ Statewide

Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice | Cambridge, MA

Interfaith Strategies for Advocacy & Action in the Community (ISAAC) | Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Community Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Public Library | Kalamazoo, MI