Introduction to Somatic Practice and Theory
a somatic healing group for social change

FOLLOWING OUR LONGINGS TO MORE
While people have always lived in connection to each other and the lands they occupy, right now large scale systems are focused on domination and exploitation.  This results in cycles of trauma and oppression that live in our bodies, hearts and minds; it plays out in our collective actions. We return to the body as a site of healing for the sake of building relations with ourselves, each other and the earth that are life affirming.  We return to the body as a place to build resilience and skills.  We face what is here to heal and repair and determine a future rooted in solidarity and interdependence.

SOMATICS  >>>>  WHAT EVEN IS IT?
Somatics is the concept of the organism in its fullness - a concept of wholeness which western culture has long ago torn apart, compartmentalized and demonized.  Somatic transformation is the process of healing from trauma and oppression for the sake of what we care about; rather than relying on what we have had to do to survive. Somatics is about looking underneath, it is about embodied transformation; a change or healing at the tissue level giving us more access to more choice, even under the same old pressures.

We are building the POWER to embody our values and the SKILLS to get what we long for.

Details:
6 Thursdays April 4th-May 9th. 
1:30-3:30 pm
Aikido of Madison Dojo 
2219 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI
Cost:  $350/Pay what you can.   see more info in the question section about payment

MORE ABOUT THE GROUP
This is an explicitly anti-racist, pro-liberation space.  We acknowledge interlacing systems of oppression and are seeking new ways of survival that do not rely on domination. This means facing what comes up with courage and support. We will travel at the pace of trust, building as we are able.

In this group; we will explore the generative somatics methodology to build skills and resilience.  Each session will be a mix of theory, practice and meaning making.  All of the practices are rooted in relevance and purpose.  

We will each and together build awareness of what our bodies hold and how this relates to/has been shaped by h'story, social position and experiences.
We will explore practices of regenerating safety, including attending to our needs and longings, advocating for what we believe in, and building skills of allyship and protection with each other.
We will face, open and heal held contractions in the body for the sake of creating new ground for what really matters to us, as individuals and collectives sharing this planet.

Transformation happens with practice.  You are encouraged to have a daily practice based on the skills we are exploring to deepen the impact of this work in your life.
 

WHO IS LEADING AND HOLDING THIS SPACE?
This group is being held by lizzie bruno.  Lizzie began her somatic practice in 2012 with generative somatics.  Lizzie is a 42 year old white midwestern queerdo who has spent her life seeking life and destroying structures that limit it.  Lizzie is an educator and somatic coach who works with individuals and small groups to come back to the body as a wise and necessary sight of healing. Lizzie is deeply committed to listening to the land, body and rhythms of nature as a base from which to heal and develop. As a white bodied person who seeks repair, Lizzie is motivated by a commitment to dis-embody white christian supremacy and tear down systems of oppression as we build systems and technologies that meet our community needs for the sake of ending cycles of harm. Lizzie knows so much more is possible when we build collective practices of power with consent and pleasure.

Lizzie will be supported by Barb Brown.  Barb and Lizzie first met working together at the Community Pharmacy worker cooperative getting medicine to the people.  They deepened relationship through the Aikido of Madison, where Barb Sensei leads classes.  https://aikidoofmadison.com/about/instructors/barb-brown-sensei/


WHO THIS IS FOR?
This groups is for people with living hearts who want to make change in this world.  It is for activists and organizers and care givers and lovers of life.  It is for those who feel grief and those who feel stuck.  It is for those who long for and fight for collective power and liberation.

This group will be a small group to support learning and trust building in the space. 

Please reach out to lizzieb@riseup.net with any questions or to set up a meeting to further discuss.
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First Name *
Last Name
Pronouns
Email *
Phone Number
How do you see yourself inside of the larger social justice movement? (organizer, teacher, artist, cultural worker, healer, researcher etc.)   Do you have an area of focus for your work and the connections and community working for change that you long for?
 *
What are you hoping to learn/take away from this somatic series? *
What kind of embodiment or healing practices do you already practice? (e.g. martial arts, meditation, yoga, ....)  How do you take care of yourself?
 *
Please tell us more about how to make this space accessible to you.  Are you able to move around pain free?   Are you able to hear and see without assistance?    The Aikido of Madison Dojo is wheelchair accessible and all of our practices are adaptable for individual needs. 
We ask participants to please use scent free products; as many of us are chemically sensitive.  please comment if you would like more information about this.
*
The Aikido of Madison Dojo asks all participants to have up to date vaccinations against COVID-19.  Have you been vaccinated or have a doctors note showing a reason otherwise? 
Are you comfortable sharing a space with folks who are not vaccinated with or without masks?
Any other concerns about COVID or other immune system concerns?
You can expect more information about the covid safety protocols with acceptance into the group.
 *
This cost of this course is $350/Pay what you can.
At least 10% of the income generated from this offering will go back to BIPOC lead initiatives.
Our class experience is an often hidden and shame ridden and all mixed up.  The option of pay what you can is meant to give folks who have access to wealth an opportunity to be generous and those who experience lots of debt, little support system and low income a way to access this work. 
What you can pay to participate is in NO WAY related to the value of your participation.  This pay what you can option is here because as healers and facilitators we know every experience, every person brings value to the space.  It is also here because those holding the space have the resource to be able to offer this option. 

Please take the time you need to consider what resources you have to share.  If you would like to share more information about your class experience or process you can use the space in the next question about identity to do so.  If you would like support in deciding how to respond; I'm here for it.

Payment plans are available, as are trades.  

We are practicing economies of care.
 *
Our "shaping" or what we embody is impacted by our experiences and identities, and the experiences of our peoples.  Is there anything you would like me to know about your identities going in to this group? 
The series runs Thursdays April 4- May 16th.  Each week will build upon material and practice of previous weeks. We expect participants to make a full commitment to the entire 6 weeks. Are you able to do this?   If you are committed but know you need to miss one session, please let us know the circumstances and date. *
Is there anything else you want us to know?
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