THE 2022 EMBODIED SOCIAL JUSTICE SUMMIT
Exploring and Empowering a Sustainable Global Transformation
“Oppression spares no body. Injustices are both systemic and intimate, taking root in the flesh.”
—MARY WATKINS
We’re facing a critical moment in our history as the realities of systemic oppression and marginalization have heralded the awakening of a world ready to respond to the social justice issues of our time. The collective focus on this topic has seen a significant rise in folks committed to collective liberation, unlearning oppressive social systems, and restoring and repairing our social contract with one another. Love stands at the heart of all this. In the words of Rev angel Kyodo williams, “Love and Justice can not be separated.”
Meet the
2022 Summit Teachers
GAIN FRESH PERSPECTIVES, VALUABLE INSIGHTS & PRACTICAL TOOLS FROM SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS
Dr. Sará King
UCLA-trained Neuroscientist, Political & Learning Scientist, Education Philosopher, Social-Entrepreneur, and Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation Instructor
Resmaa Menakem
Author of the critical work My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies, Cultural Trauma Navigator, Coach and Communal Provocateur
Staci Haines
Co-Founder of Generative Somatics and generationFIVE, and Author of The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing and Social Justice
Rev. angel Kyodo williams
Author, Activist, Ordained Zen Priest, Master Trainer & Founder of Transformative Change
Justin Michael Williams
Author, Top 20 Recording Artist, and Transformational Speaker dedicated to Mindfulness & Social Justice
Atira Tan
TEDx Speaker, Somatic Trauma Specialist, Author, Activist, Expressive Art Therapist (MA), and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner
Michelle Johnson
LCSW, Social Justice Warrior, Author, Dismantling Racism Trainer, Empath, Yoga Teacher and an Intuitive Healer
Karine Bell
Somatics Teacher and Abolitionist dedicated to Embodied Trauma Alchemy, Certified Mindfulness Instructor and Cultural Anthropologist
Niralli D'Costa, LMFT
Holistic Psychotherapist, Sacred Embodiment Teacher, and Practitioner of Integrative Energy Healing Modality Syntara System
Kerri Kelly
TED Speaker, Founder of CTZNWELL, Active Member & Former Executive Director of the Non-Profit Off the Mat Into the World, Yoga Teacher and Coach
Dr. Stephen Murphy-Shigematsu
Psychologist at Stanford University, Fulbright Scholar, American Psychological Association Fellow, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Leader & Author
Dr. Gail Parker
Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Therapist Educator, Author and President of the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance (BYTA)
Dr. Rae Johnson, RSMT, BCC
Author of Embodied Social Justice, and Chair of the Somatic Studies in Depth Psychology Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute
Kelsey Blackwell
Writer, Cultural Somatics Practitioner supporting women of color, Certified InterPlay Leader, Mindfulness Guide and Numerologist
Anusha Wijeyakumar
Wellness Consultant in STEM at Hoag Hospital, Motivational Speaker and Author on the Science of Mindfulness & Meditation, and Social Justice Activist
Dr. Beth Berila
Director of the Gender & Women’s Studies Program and Full Professor in the Ethnic, Gender, & Women’s Studies Department at St. Cloud State University
Fania E. Davis, Ph.D., J.D.
Long-time Social Justice Activist, Civil Rights Trial Attorney, Restorative Justice Practitioner, Writer, Professor and Scholar with a PhD in Indigenous Knowledge
Dr. Scott Lyons
Clinical Psychologist, Doctor of Osteopathy, Mind-Body Medicine Practitioner and Founder of The Embody Lab
Devika Shankar
Transnational Feminist, Organizer, Advocate for Justice, and Certified Facilitator of The Resilience Toolkit
Dr. Jasmine Hines
Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at Kent State University, Researcher of Black Feminist Thought, Critical Race Theory & Culturally Responsive Pedagogy within Music Education
Jacoby Ballard
Yoga and Buddhism teacher, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP), and social justice advocate
Solana Booth
Lineage Keeper, Generational Reconciliation and Trauma Healing Advocate, Member of the of the Nooksak, Mohawk & Ts’msyan nations, Advocate of Sacred Principal Consultant for Tribal Whole-Health Care and Documentary Filmmaker
Camille Barton
Artist, Writer, Cultural Somatics Educator working on the intersections of Wellness, Drug Policy and Transformative Justice
Euphrasia "Efu" Nyaki
Maryknoll Sister Missionary and a valued member of Dr. Levine's Somatic Experiencing™ Legacy Faculty with the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education
Farzana Khan
Executive Director and Co-founder of Healing Justice London, Former Creative & Strategic Director at Voices that Shake, and Fellow at the International Curatorial Forum
Nkem Ndefo
Registered Nurse and Nurse Midwife, Founder of Lumos Transforms, Creator of The Resilience Toolkit, Advisor to Trauma Informed LA
Dr. Kesha Fikes, SEP, RSMT
Social Justice-Focused Somatic Trauma Therapist (SEP & RSMT) & Anthropologist (Ph.D.)
Monica Dudárov Hunken
Artist, Direct Action Trainer & Activist in Environmental and Human Rights, Thai Yoga Massage Body Worker, Physical Theater Workshop Teacher for Refugee Camps
Summit Explorations
During this event we’ll explore some of the most potent questions of our time:
How can we reimagine and embrace new forms of activism?
How do we take effective action in the world to respond to social justice issues?
How do we become the change we wish to see, and what does it look like from an embodied perspective?
How can we stay grounded and centered and increase our capacity for sustainable change?
Our current understanding of how trauma impacts the body has centralized the role of the body in alchemizing what has held us in cycles of reactivity and disconnection; unable to find each other in the reach towards healing our world.
We wish this summit to be an opportunity to absorb the wisdom of many incredible somatic and social justice change makers, and shine a light on the path forward on our collective journey.
Want to go deeper with the material?
Are you ready to herald the awakening of a world ripe to respond to the social justice issues of our time? Are you committed to collective liberation, unlearning oppressive social systems, and restoring and repairing our social contract with one another?
Then we wholeheartedly invite you to our first-of-its-kind 25-hour Embodied Activism Certificate Program.
“The political lives within our very tissues and movements.”
– MARY WATKINS
Who is this
conference for?
All are welcome. Activists, Aspiring Activists, Somatic Practitioners, Psychologists and Therapists, Mindfulness Practitioners, Parents, Teachers, Educators, Artists, and anyone interested in exploring the mind/body/soul connection through the lens of Embodied Social Justice.
You're in
the right place
if you:
Want to empower yourself and others to be seen, heard and expressed through their authentic self.
Want to gain knowledge about somatics, imbalances of power, trauma therapy, social / cultural / racial / gender / disability and environmental justice.
Are looking for an integrative way of exploring activism and healing.
Are interested in incorporating somatic methods of awareness and healing into your daily life.
Wish to explore the political landscape of the body.
Want to sustainably reconnect yourself and others to their full potential of agency and power.
Want to listen, connect, and move from the inner wisdom of the body.
Want to connect with others in a like-minded community engaged in somatics, personal, and social transformation.
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WELCOME, MEDITATION & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
with Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Dr. Rae Johnson & Dr. Sará KingFINDING YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE IN THE MOVEMENT FOR EQUALITY
with Justin Michael WilliamsSHOWING UP AS OUR BEST SELVES: PRACTICES FOR ALIGNING ACTIONS WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE VALUES
with Dr. Beth BerilaFLOODING GENERATIONAL SEDIMENTS
with Solana BoothCOMMUNITY CONNECTION
with Dr. Sará King -
FROM PATRIARCHY TO EMBODIED SOVEREIGNTY: RECLAIMING YOUR WHOLENESS AND WORTH AS A WOMAN
with Atira TanRACE & RESILIENCE: WORKING ACROSS LINES OF DIFFERENCE
with Michelle C. Johnson & Kerri KellyREST, REFLECT, RENEW
with Dr. Gail ParkerSOLIDARITY PRACTICES FOR THE MODERN YOGI
with Jacoby BallardSAVING OURSELVES: BLACK WOMEN'S EMBODIMENT OF MUSIC EDUCATION
with Dr. Jasmine HinesDECOLONIZING THE YOGA SUTRAS
with Anusha Wijeyakumar -
STRUCTURAL EMBODIMENT: SOMATICS FOR THE COLLECTIVE BODY
with Farzana KhanDIRECT ACTION & THE IMAGINATION - CREATIVE ARTS AS A TOOL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
with Monica Dudárov HunkenBODY, EMOTIONS, MIND AND AWARENESS CONNECTION - ESSENTIAL FOR JUSTICE & PEACE TO DWELL AMONG US
with Euphrasia “Efu” NyakiTHE ART OF LIVING & THE ART OF DYING: LESSONS FROM A 111 YEAR-OLD JAPANESE GRANDMOTHER
with Dr. Stephen Murphy-ShigematsuPRESENTATION
with Rev. angel Kyodo williamsBUILDING EMBODIED RESILIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK
with Devika ShankarCOMMUNITY CONNECTION
with Chara Caruthers -
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
with Kai Cheng ThomGROWING ECOLOGIES OF TRANSFORMATION: USING EMBODIMENT TO SUPPORT COLLECTIVE ACTION
with Camille BartonHARM VS. HURT
with Resmaa Menakem & Rev. angel Kyodo williamsCOMING HOME: DECOLONIZING THE BODY THROUGH COMPASSIONATE INCLUSION
with Kelsey BlackwellPRACTICING SOMATIC EXTIMACY
with Kesha Fikes, Ph.D.POWER & BODY
with Niralli D'Costa, LMFT -
EMBODIED ACTIVISM
with Nkem Ndefo & Dr. Rae JohnsonEMBODIED HEALING & SOCIAL ACTION: WHAT’S THE BRIDGE?
with Staci HainesCLOSING CEREMONY
with Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Dr. Rae Johnson & Dr. Sará King
IMMERSION SCHEDULE
5-DAY ONLINE IMMERSION
Each session is 90 minutes in duration, unless otherwise noted. Those who purchase the Summit Collection will enjoy lifetime access to all the recordings.
Live captioning was only available for the live event.
What you’ll learn-
The Embodied Social Justice Summit is a unique opportunity to hear from some of the most impactful voices at the intersection of embodiment, somatics and social justice.
You don’t want to miss these talks! We’ll explore:
The embeddedness of our bodies in culture and history.
Sustainability, self-care and resilience along the path of social justice.
Topics such as: pleasure activism, social abolitionism, indigenous healing practices for the earth, the creative arts and activism, climate justice, queer and trans justice, and more.
How dimensions of trauma impact approaches to activism.
Why traditional forms of activism require an embodied approach.
Deeply important and perception-altering topics and approaches to justice.
Learning from and interacting live with some of the most interesting teachers, researchers, and healers in embodied social justice.
Connecting with like-hearted people interested in and dedicated to justice work at the level of the personal and communal.
Learning embodied approaches to social justice work.
How to connect our unique expression and creativity into social justice work.
In this
5-Day Summit
you will:
Gain insights into how we might resist the social, political and cultural changes that are lived through our bodies.
Learn from and interact live with some of the most inspirational teachers, researchers, and healers at the intersection of psychology, embodiment and somatics.
Connect with like-minded people interested in and dedicated to healing in their own lives and in the world, learning and growing together.
Discover practical tools and practices to start using right away.
Join the revolution of coming home to the body and rediscovering how it can truly transform our lives and the world!
“Our relationship to our body determines how we make our way in the world”
— BESSEL VAN DER KOLK
Our Mission
Our intention with this event is to explore the intersection of oppression and embodiment; how social and political structures are embedded within bodies (we include the psyche when talking about the body); and how through engaging the body we can respond to the social justice issues of our time, and begin the work of dismantling oppressive systems in our reach towards personal and communal liberation.
Where somatics meets social justice, for us, is where fear and paralysis can become the fire that fuels sustainable activism in the world. We wish to make this exploration as broadly accessible as possible.
We believe an embodied social activism is a sustainable social activism.
There is a growing community exploring and teaching at the intersection of somatics and activism. This summit is intended to join our voices together for an incredibly powerful event. With the presence of each participant and presenter, we wholeheartedly believe that we can build sustainable and embodied processes for personal and social transformation.
The Embodied Social Justice Summit is a unique opportunity to hear from some of the most impactful voices at the intersection of embodiment, somatics and social justice.
What is embodiment and somatics?
The first way we experience the world is through sensing our whole body. It’s the most primal form of inner communication that directs all thought, feeling, and action. Soma means “the living body” and somatics refers to practices of being in dialogue with the living body. We explore these practices as a means to embody. To embody, means to manifest – to make visible, tangible, and real. Embodiment is a process of realizing each aspect of our self- feeling and experiencing its connection to the whole. As the unapologetic expression of that full self, embodiment can be understood as the antithesis of oppression.
We acknowledge that beneath the umbrella of the term “embodiment” are practices belonging to ancient lineages and traditions that have been appropriated by Western models. We are actively working to illuminate the origins of these practices as part of our commitment to social justice work.
THE 2022 EMBODIED SOCIAL JUSTICE
SUMMIT COLLECTION
LIFETIME ACCESS TO 5 FULL DAYS OF VIDEO SESSIONS WITH 28+ INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS
ONE-TIME PURCHASE OF $297 USD
Embody Lab members save $20!Here’s what you’ll receive with your purchase:
→ LIFETIME ACCESS to 40+ hours of Video sessions (in MP4 format) with 28+ world renowned Psychologists, Embodiment Researchers and Somatic Facilitators from the Embodied Social Justice Summit. All sessions are downloadable and can be viewed as many times as you’d like!
→ A Complete set of Audio (in MP3 format) of the summit sessions so you can listen from anywhere.
Don’t miss a single session and re-watch your favorites at your own pace—anytime, anywhere— with the Summit Collection.
$297
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT PAST SUMMITS
“This conference has changed my life.”
“This was pure magic. I've learned so many new things & felt new things in myself."
"I've been home in isolation alone. The summit speakers have given me so much joy and hope."
“Thank you for this gift. It is what I needed and what the world needed.”
“I’m still bathing in a pool of joy and freedom. I feel like I’m once again alive.”
— EMBODIED SOCIAL JUSTICE SUMMIT COLLECTION OWNER