Centered Belonging
Creating Space for Embodied Connection
Course Description
In both movement organizing and mental health spaces, trauma impacts our capacity to show up, treat each other well, stay connected, and hold mutual dignity. Our ability to be in relationship is heavily shaped by Western society’s focus on individualism and the separation of mind, body, and spirit. As our communities navigate multiple oppressions and manifestations of trauma, there are limits to Western care modalities such as psychotherapy in fostering collective liberation. In sharp contrast, embodiment and transformational work bring clarity about when and why to use each kind of tool. This work invites and centers political, social, and historical analyses, exploring how belonging is shaped by context, and vice versa. By recognizing what needs to shift, a new worldview is possible.
This class will draw on ancient wisdom and modern embodiment practices to discuss how we can work collectively to cultivate more belonging in our communities. Some of the big questions that we will explore together are: How do our social and economic context shape or influence belonging? How does belonging or not belonging shape our embodiment and our relationship to other bodies? What is possible when we feel belonging? How does belonging relate to feeling "safe" or regenerating safety together? What practices can we turn to in order to increase belonging, individually and collectively?
What you’ll learn:
The impacts of Western individualism on our ability to create and sustain relationships, interpersonally and in broader groups
How to distinguish an embodiment approach from dominant Western approaches to care
How our broader social and economic conditions shape our ability to cultivate belonging in mental health spaces and broader communities
The relationship between belonging and safety
How to practice individual and collective strategies to increase an authentic sense of belonging for ourselves and those we work with
Faculty
B Stepp, Somatic Practitioner, Facilitator, Teacher, and Community Organizer
B Stepp (they/them) is a somatic practitioner, facilitator, teacher, and community organizer living on unceded Duwamish/Coast Salish land/so-called Seattle, WA. Inside of all of their work, B invites us to dream beyond binaries of all kinds, and towards our biggest and most alive visions for liberation. B holds that how free each of us is able to get is deeply tied to how free all of us are and that we must always hold individual and collective change as deeply interconnected. B’s healing lineage includes 12 years of training with generative somatics, western psychotherapy and nutrition, an active meditation practice, Black liberation movements in the U.S. and around the world, movements committed to abolition and transformative justice, and their many lived experiences (and those of their ancestors) as a Black and white mixed race, queer non-binary person. They are committed to making liberation and the path to revolution irresistible.
Norma Wong, Zen Teacher and Movement Strategist
Norma Wong is a teacher and thought partner. She is the abbot of Anko-in, an independent branch temple of Chozen-ji. She serves practice communities in Hawai‘i, across the U.S., and in Toronto, Canada. Among her areas of teaching: waging peace; leadership and strategy in the 7 generations context. Wong served as a state legislator, on the policy and strategy team for Governor John Waihee, and community organizing and policy work in the Native Hawaiian (indigenous) community. She is a Native Hawaiian and Hakka who lives in Kalihi Valley on the island of O`ahu in the Hawaii archipelago.
“Norma and B spoke from places of experience and shared practical embodiment tools. I loved how gentle and how thoughtful they were about all aspects of the training.”
What You Get
18 videos (2+ hours of content) full of history, research, and unique perspectives
Exclusive readings and resources
Discussion with a creative community of professionals and advocates inside the course
A reference and resource list to aid ongoing learning and exploration on the course topics
Audience
This course is for:
Mental health and physical health professionals, including: clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, peer specialists, recovery support specialists, housing specialists, nurse practitioners, wellness support workers, coaches, holistic practitioners
Students
Activists
Family members and advocates
Anyone who works or plans to work with people experiencing mental health-related challenges
“I liked connecting to my ancestors. I also really felt the somatic exercises were super powerful for me, including the exercise on belonging.”
Take the Class
This self-paced course is hosted on Mighty Networks, home to IDHA's School for Transformative Mental Health. This virtual community space supports sustained learning, engagement with other students, access to supplemental resources, and opportunities to interact with your faculty.
We provide the option of enrolling for at the general ($20) or supporter rate ($40) to ensure the sustainability of IDHA’s work and enable us to create more accessible, cutting-edge training content.
CLICK THE BUTTONS BELOW TO JOIN US ON MIGHTY NETWORKS!
If you already have an account, simply log in to proceed to the course.
If you’re new to IDHA’s Mighty Network, you will be prompted to create an account and then receive access to course content.
FAQ
When does the course start and finish?
This is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course, content, or platform?
We love hearing your feedback on what we can do to improve our efforts to bring transformative mental health to the public! Shoot us an email at contact@idha-nyc.org and let us know your thoughts. If you disagree with any of the perspectives shown in this course - that's great! We encourage differing perspectives, so feel free to leave a comment in the course - so long as your comments remain respectful and you speak from your own point of view.
I am a person struggling with mental health issues/a family member of someone who is struggling. Can I take the course?
Absolutely! Just note that this course is geared towards professionals in the field, and will speak mostly to those working in a formal support role. However, we welcome anyone who wants to join!
Are refunds available?
At this time, all sales are final, we cannot offer refunds after purchase.