Burn the Box! 🔥📦

Noticing Whiteness in our Bodies: A Journey to Awareness with Tony Chavira

Tony Chavira is dedicated to fostering profound transformation and healing within communities. As a relational therapist, sociologist, somatic abolitionist, and committed brother, Tony's work centers on radical healing and the power of connection. He emphasizes the importance of safety and connection through actively loving and nurturing grounded relationships. Tony's mission is to dismantle the limitations that restrict love in our communities, encouraging a collective journey towards deeper, more authentic connections. Tony's work highlights the transformative potential of relational healing. By embracing safety and connection, he invites us to join in breaking the barriers that hinder our ability to love one another in our communities. Tony hosts a weekly Sunday Q&A podcast on Instagram Live called "Heart Breaker." This platform allows Tony to delve into the intricacies of relationship therapy and explore what it truly means to love another person. The interactive format provides an opportunity for listeners to ask questions and engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges and joys of relationships. In this episode, Tony and Sonali talks about: The Oppressive Charge of Whiteness: People of color carry the weight of historical oppression, while white people can be unconsciously complicit through a sense of numbness or a lack of awareness. The Importance of Anger: Suppressing anger can be a trauma response, but healthy anger can be a tool for setting boundaries and discerning who to let close. Digestive Fire as a Metaphor for Processing Emotions: Our bodies have a natural ability to process experiences, including negative ones. When we don't process them, they can build up and make us sick. The Choice to Love: Being in a white body often comes with the privilege of being able to opt out of caring for others. However, true healing involves choosing love and connection. Healing from Historical Trauma: Both white people and People of Color carry the weight of historical trauma. Therapy can be a space to explore this and find healing. The Importance of Community: Healing and dismantling oppressive systems can't be done alone. Finding supportive communities is essential. Awareness is Key: The first step to dismantling whiteness is becoming aware of how it functions and how we participate in it. Numbness as a Defense Mechanism: Numbness is a common response to perpetuating pain on others. However, it hinders healing and true connection. Laying Down One's Armor: Healing often requires letting go of defensive mechanisms and exploring our true selves. and so much more Find his current projects and learn more about Tony:  Website: https://www.tonychavira.com/ Tony's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minefieldwonderland Purple Couch Therapy: https://www.purplecouchtherapy.com/ -- Connect with us:  Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠ I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

Shedding Boxes & Cultivating Deep Time: A Conversation with Karine Bell

Karine Bell, MSc, SEP, is the founder and co-dreamer for the Rooted Global Village. She's a bi-cultural Black woman, a speaker, somatics educator, practitioner, somatic abolitionist, and scholar-activist in training focused on deepening an understanding of the impacts of trauma and oppression on our lives, and liberatory and decolonial frameworks and traditional/indigenous approaches to trauma healing and community building. Karine's emphasis on living authentically from the heart, embracing curiosity, wonder, and research, reflects a holistic and grounded approach to her work. Her love and dedication to her children further fuel her commitment to making a difference both personally and collectively. Continuing her studies at Pacifica Graduate Institute in decolonial depth psychology, with a focus on community, liberation, indigenous, and eco-psychologies, showcases her ongoing dedication to expanding her knowledge and skills to better serve her community and the broader world. In this episode, Karine and Sonali talks about: Breaking free from the limitations of labels and identities ("burning boxes") Somatic Abolitionism as a practice for shedding conditioning and societal constraints Embodiment and sensuality as a path to liberation Deep Time activism and the concept of tending to generational change The limitations of biographical introductions and the tension between self-disclosure and resisting categorization and so much more Find her work and learn more about Karine: www.rootedglobalvillage.com https://www.instagram.com/tending.the.roots/ -- Connect with us:  Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠ I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

From Duality to Deep Well: Somatic Abolitionism in Action with Saumya Kaup Davis

Saumya founded The I AM Project in 1998, driven by a passion to nurture children's self-awareness through somatic exploration and playful contemplation. Transitioning from a career in architecture and urban policy in 2003, she redirected her focus towards a path aligned with her deeper calling. As a Licensed Mental Health Therapist and seasoned meditation/yoga teacher, Saumya specializes in addressing inter-generational and racialized trauma, drawing upon her extensive knowledge of Hindu/Buddhist principles. With a lifelong dedication to mindfulness practices, Saumya integrates embodiment techniques to facilitate healing and self-exploration. Her mission is to cultivate inclusive and healing communal spaces where individuals feel empowered to authentically connect, explore their inner landscapes, and pursue their desired outcomes. Born to Indian immigrants in Winston-Salem, NC, and raised in rural Eastern Shore, Maryland, Saumya's upbringing sparked her curiosity about the intersection of ancient wisdom and Western influence, driving her commitment to supporting marginalized children in navigating oppressive systems both in India and the US. In this episode, Saumya and Sonali talks about: Unraveling Our Conditioning: We can spend a lifetime shedding the limitations placed on us by our cultures and upbringing. Somatic Abolitionism as a Wellspring: This practice offers a deep well of tools and resources to draw from in different contexts. The Power of Community: Doing deep healing work in community allows for profound witnessing, holding space for uncertainty, and collective empowerment. Embodied Authenticity: Integrating our lived experiences into our work fosters a deeper connection with clients. The Importance of Play and Exploration: There's value in following curiosity and intuition throughout our healing journeys. and so much more... Find her work and learn more about Saumya on her instagram @thesunlightthrutrees Website coming soon! wellnesswallah.com -- Connect with us: Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠ I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

Heart's Awakening: Reclaiming Ourselves Through Somatic Abolitionism with Aneissa Rosas-Sanchez

Aneissa (she/her/ella) is a Xicana/Mexican American therapist, mother, wife, and relative to many loved ones. Her *known* people come from the colonized states of Sonora and Zacatecas, Mexico, the modern day Southwest, and Yaqui Nation (Yoeme) descendants. She centers social justice and the decolonization of psychotherapy in her work and strongly believes in mutual aid and self-and-communal care as a means of healing and liberation for all. Aneissa brings over 20 years of post-graduate clinical experience, specializing in racial trauma. She underwent training with Resmaa Menakem as a Somatic Abolitionist Therapist in 2021 & 2022, fostering an abolitionism community for antiracist culture building. Aneissa’s emergent work continues to focus on: Spearheading an embodied cultural movement towards collective health Addressing anti-Black & anti-Indigenous indoctrination in Latinx culture Dismantling oppressive forces and combating the impact of Heart Hijack™️ In this episode, Aneissa and Sonali talks about: The importance of honoring our ancestors and seeking their guidance and protection. Somatic Abolitionism as a practice for reclaiming our hearts and fostering love, joy, and connection. Understanding the interconnectedness of the nervous system and the heart for deeper healing and personal growth. Harnessing the power of community to amplify individual healing journeys. Staying present in the heart space amidst challenges. Recognizing the potential of somatic practices to create lasting change for ourselves, families, and future generations. and so much more... Find her recent workshop: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwD3ctqr7hR/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D You can contact Aneissa at aneissasanchezlcsw@gmail.com -- Connect with us: Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠ I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

Surrendering to Possibility: A Conversation with Erin Trent-Johnson

Erin Trent Johnson is a conscious Black mama, trauma-informed and embodied freedom coach, writer, speaker, facilitator, and explorer who helps Black women and non-binary folx remember their inherent worth and wisdom and their ecosystems spread generational health. Erin curates sacred care spaces that inspire healing, sharing, transformation, and Black joy. Erin is the Founder and Co-Creator of BlackMamaBody, a social wellness technology company committed to building ecosystems of generational health. Erin's values, skills, and pleasure meet at the intersection of expressive art, spirit, and earth-honoring, body-based healing traditions. Ask Erin about Black women's fugitive wellness and viral imagination! In this episode, Erin and Sonali delve into: * Surrender as an invitation, not an obligation. * The box as a metaphor for limitations. * Community and co-creation as key tools for change. * Viral imagination as a force for liberation. * Playful and embodied practices for healing and transformation. and so much more... Find her work and learn more about Erin on her Instagram @blackmamabody. -- Connect with us: Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠ I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/