Somatics
Nourishing The Nervous System
This timely tome from somatically-oriented therapeutic guide tayla is an accessible and energizing guide to nourishing the nervous system during crisis. From embodiment exercises to reflections on the animal body, tayla will help connect you to practices to ground in presence & grow your capacity to care on the cusp of collapse.
tayla shanaye
Strozzi Institute
Strozzi Institute offers one comprehensive approach to somatics. This video breaks down the institute’s unique approach to somatic awareness.
Strozzi Institute
generative somatics
Discover using somatics for organizing, movement building, and action. Somatics is a field within bodywork and movement studies which emphasizes internal physical perception and experience. The term is used in movement therapy to signify approaches based on the soma, or “the body as perceived from within.” The generative somatics organization uses modern techniques and knowledge around this body connection to support social and climate justice movements in achieving their visions of a radically transformed society.
generative somatics
The Power of Somatics for Collective Transformation
How can somatics be used to abolish the structures which keep us dispossessed and sick? Hear from visionary somatics and social justice speakers on how we come together as communities, leaders and changemakers to build the path towards transformation.
Staci Hains
generative somatics methodology
This body-based approach is based on three main areas of work: Somatic Awareness, Somatic Practices and Somatic Opening. The work involves in a deep analysis of social context and a commitment to changing ourselves and the systems we live in towards dignity, justice and interdependence. It deepens understanding of the human psycho-biology, the impact of trauma and the patterning of behavior. Collective practice allows for a different level of transformation than is often possible in individual work.
Somatics 4 Activism
Kundalini Yoga – A Journey thru the Chakras with Ana Brett & Ravi Singh
What we typically call yoga today are practices that have been distilled by British, German and American people who have taken elements of diverse cultural and religious practices from throughout India. Of all the yogic practices we’ve tried, we find Kundalini yoga offers the most comprehensive set of exercises to improve the work we do in the world. This is a practice that had an Indian guru founder but has largely been refined and codified by white people who have valued these practices. The two resources here are ones that we find to be the least exotifying and extractive.
Compassionate Kundalini
SWITCH PATHWAYS
We move through change each day – it is a constant in our lives. These are the building blocks of sustainability for living in this moment and throughout the long road ahead.
There can be a deep sense of urgency for change that drives us to action before we have fully aligned our purpose and outcomes. This can lead to disruptions, unnecessary conflict and ultimately failure of our plans. Here are valuable guides for aligning intention and action to save energy, resources and time.
To make change in our society, we need to understand the fundamentals of how decision making happens, in our teams, through our social identities, and in our systems of power.
Work for diversity, equity and inclusion achieves lasting impact when we orient our energy towards structural change and integrate structural change tools into our programs and operations. This pathway provides support for analyzing structures and transforming them for justice.
Breaking the status quo and opening up new possibilities for equity and freedom in our work requires innovative experiments. Teams must ensure that all members have the ability to act on the vision and goals they are co-creating.
Our minds cannot move toward racial justice, equity or transformation if our bodies are not prepared for change. This pathway offers those preparations that we have found most beneficial to adult learning.
Explore the interviews, frameworks, templates and articles created and published by Up With Community.
GROW COMMUNITY
Giving thanks: We share these resources in gratitude to all of our teachers and with appreciation for the value they have brought us. The field guide is a living resource that we are consistently adding to. We receive no payment or kickbacks for sharing. Access and use of these resources should be done at one’s own discretion. If you see a resource you like, we encourage you to reach out to the author.
Have a resource to add? We are always looking to expand the resources we can share. If you have a tool/resource/link you would like to share with UWC and its partners, please email us: research@upwithcommunity.org.
Ready to learn?
If it’s time to transform your team so they can transform the world, let’s connect.