Embodied Activism Certificate

“We need an embodied resilience, the flexible strength to overcome adversity and transform systems of oppression and inequity into places where we thrive.” — NKEM NDEFO, MSN

NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTIONS OF EMBODIMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

The body is political, politics are embodied in our everyday experience, and the felt experience of our bodies can be the ground of lasting social change. This 25-hour certificate, co-directed by Nkem Ndefo and Rae Johnson with faculty Farzana Khan, draws on somatics, neuroscience, critical social theory, and trauma-informed anti-oppressive education. You'll learn practical strategies for interrogating and transforming the political realities of our everyday lives through individual and collective embodiment.

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Embodied Activism Certificate
Overview

Program at a Glance

Navigating the Intersections of Embodiment and Social Justice

Join co-directors Nkem Ndefo, MSN and Rae Johnson, PhD, and faculty Farzana Khan for this 25-hour certificate program to explore how the body is political, how politics are embodied in our everyday experience, and how to connect the body with our activism, organizational work, and collective movements.

Drawing on somatics, neuroscience, critical social theory, and trauma-informed anti-oppressive education, participants will learn practical strategies for interrogating and transforming the political realities of our everyday lives using the felt experience of our individual and collective bodies as the ground of our social justice work.

If you’re ready to make a meaningful contribution to social change efforts in an embodied, authentic way this program is for you!

Meet Your Lead Faculty

Learn from World-Leading Voices in Trauma Treatment

Internationally recognized leaders bring to life a holistic and unified curriculum.

Farzana Khan

Farzana Khan

Rae Johnson (Dr.)

Rae Johnson (Dr.)

Nkem Ndefo

Nkem Ndefo

Curriculum

Curriculum

01 Orienting our Compass and Mapping the Territory
Using the metaphor of social justice as a journey, this module begins with the assumption that we are fellow travelers, and that sharing our maps helps us build a movement that is inclusive of a range of experiences and perspectives. We begin by exploring some common terms and concepts to co-develop a shared language, and attend to resourcing and basic capacity building through the body. Lastly, we discuss some of the problems with disembodied activism and depoliticized somatics.

Day 1 — Module 1

Faculty: Nkem Ndefo, MSN and Rae Johnson, PhD

02 Navigating Challenging Terrain and Exploring Neglected Corners
In this module, we will unpack internalized and relational appeasement dynamics, examine alternate ways of relating across power imbalances, and reframe spiritual bypassing as both a form of privilege and a protective strategy. We will explore how our bodies can help us move through some challenging relational terrain, including experiences of shame in repairing harm and building accountability.

Day 1 — Module 2

Faculty: Nkem Ndefo, MSN

03 The Small (Huge) Journey of Embodied Micro-Activism
This module focuses on the small but important ways we unconsciously perpetuate inequitable social structures through our bodily interactions with one another. We will explore how nonverbal communication can be a key channel for conveying implicit bias as well as a valuable resource in transforming relational dynamics.

Day 2 — Module 1

Faculty: Rae Johnson, PhD

04 Road Trips in Embodied Macro-Activism
This module spotlights the integration of embodiment into collective change work. We will examine specific examples of organizations across sectors to illustrate creative embodied approaches and strategies for organizational development and healing initiatives.

Day 2 — Module 2

Faculty: Nkem Ndefo, MSN

05 Sailing the Seas of Grief
This session will steward the important journey through the multiple intersecting and compounding losses brought about by ongoing violent systems of racialized capitalism, borders, and imperialism that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. We will consider embodied approaches that support mourning and build solidarity to collectively surf the waves and reach safe harbor.

Day 3 — Module 1

Faculty: Farzana Khan

06 Questioning and Transforming Body Norms
The more marginalized and subordinated a social position we occupy, the more pressure we experience to modify our bodies to conform to social ideals. This module invites us to question how our bodies are shaped by the expectations of others and consider the political and relational implications of conformity and non-conformity in our body image.

Day 3 — Module 2

Faculty: Rae Johnson, PhD

07 Construction on Terra Firma
Moving beyond the individual, this session explores how collective embodiment lays the foundations for structural justice. We will survey examples of focused interventions, disruptive initiatives, and innovative models across sectors and at varying scales.

Day 4 — Module 1

Faculty: Farzana Khan

08 Souvenirs and the Ongoing Voyage
In our final session, we consider some hidden pleasures of embodied activism, including reclaiming joy and sensuality and learning to rest. Drawing on frameworks for integrating embodied learning, we'll explore lingering questions, new curiosities, next steps, and links to our everyday personal and professional lives.

Day 4 — Module 2

Faculty: Nkem Ndefo, MSN and Rae Johnson, PhD

What You'll Learn

Skills you'll carry into your practice

Participants in this course will learn how to:

  • Interrogate the problems with disembodied activism and depoliticized somatics 
  • Strengthen the body’s capacity for difficult conversations on oppression and privilege
  • Appreciate the impact of spiritual bypassing in somatic processing and social justice work
  • Unpack the dynamics of internalized and relational appeasement
  • Navigate obstacles to relational harm repair and accountability
  • Use nonverbal communication to shift unjust power dynamics
  • Reclaim body image as a form of embodied activism
  • Explore the supportive place of grief work in liberation 
  • Bring embodiment into community and organizational change work 
  • Validate the role of embodiment in growing capacities to scale collective movements for structural justice
  • Notice and celebrate connection, joy, pleasure, and success in social justice work

Program Schedule

Self-Paced & On-Demand

This certificate program is fully on-demand. All seven modules are available immediately upon enrollment, allowing you to move through the curriculum at your own pace.

Lifetime Access

Once enrolled, you have lifetime access to all course recordings, supporting materials, and downloadable resources — return as often as needed throughout your clinical practice.

Completion Timeframe

Most participants complete the 60-hour curriculum over 3–6 months, though there is no required pace. The program is designed to be integrated alongside an active clinical practice.

Learning Platform Format

Zoom:

The live portion will be offered using Zoom in meeting format, allowing instructors and students to interact and participate in breakout sessions.

Online Learning Platform:

  • Detailed schedule and reminder emails
  • How to access via Zoom
  • All recordings available within 48 hours
  • Supporting materials including PDFs

Accessibility:

  • Download video or audio to your computer
  • Lifetime access to the content
  • Live captioning and transcripts in English

Certificate of Completion

Below are the requirements to receive the Certificate of Completion: • Watch the recordings • Minimum 60-minute Independent Guided Practice and/or readings (advised to you when you enroll in the program)
ACCESSIBILITY
VIDEO / AUDIO: Within the online learning platform, students may watch the video within their online library or download the video or audio to their computer. They will have lifetime access to the content.
LIVE CAPTIONING / TRANSCRIPTS: Captioning was only available during the live sessions. Transcripts are offered in English.
READING LISTS: Each instructor provided required or recommended readings. • Required readings will be available freely online or in PDF format. • Recommended readings are optional and for futher exploration. They may include books, online articles etc. • PDFs of the instructor’s presentation will also be provided.

Registration / Enrollment

Secure your spot in this certificate program. Payment plans and member pricing available at checkout.

Enroll Now
Frequently Asked Questions

Questions, answered

Who is this program designed for?

This course is open to anyone interested in exploring the power of Embodied Activism to interrogate and transform the political realities of our everyday lives and for creating a more socially just world. It is especially beneficial to: activists, community organizers, somatic practitioners, parents, teachers, educators, psychologists, therapists, mindfulness practitioners, artists and change agents.

This is an education program and not a licenser program.

Do I need to attend live or am I able to watch recordings?

All live sessions were recorded so students may now watch in their own time (more information below). Please note, captioning was only available during the live sessions.

How can I interact with the instructors? Will I receive guidance?

During each of the live sessions, the instructors had a Q&A period where students could ask questions. A private online community forum is also provided to you for this certificate.

How can I access the online course and recordings?

ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM: Once you register, you will receive access to our online learning platform which will include all the information about the certificate, including:

  • Program details
  • All the online sessions
  • Supporting materials provided by your instructors
  • Your Online Community Forum

ACCESSIBILITY | Video / Audio: Within our online learning platform, you may watch the videos within your online library or download the videos and audio files to your computer. You will have lifetime access to the content.

ACCESSIBILITY | Live Captioning / Transcripts: Captioning was only available during the live sessions. Transcripts are offered in English.

Will I receive a certificate?

All students who complete this program will receive a certificate of completion whether they attend it LIVE or watch the RECORDINGS.

Enrollment

Ready to begin?

Train with the field's most trusted voices in somatic practice.

Non-Member Price
$487
One-time payment
Best Value
Member Price
$467
During checkout, claim a 7-day free membership trial to unlock the member rate. $26/mo after. Cancel anytime.