Undoing Oppression Through the Body

Undoing Oppression Through the Body
with Victor Lee Lewis and Vanissar Tarakali

Saturday, January 23, 2010 10am-5pm

This embodied workshop for both people of color and white racial justice allies will explore the impact of trauma (personal, intimate, social) on our experiences of oppression, our participation in oppressive systems, and our efforts to free ourselves from both. By employing concrete tools and practices, we’ll work with trauma and shame as they live in the bodymind, helping participants engage consciously with adaptations that keep oppression and privilege in place.

Participants will spend time in both joint sessions and POC/white caucuses. People of color will explore ways to recover resilience in addressing racism and internalized racism. White allies will become conscious of automatic behaviors that interfere with efforts to undo racism and be allies to people of color. People in both groups will become more resourceful in managing feelings of anger, fear, overwhelm, discouragement, “burnout” and stress in themselves and others.

This is a rare opportunity to learn from two pioneers in the field of social justice education. Victor Lewis, best known for his role in the groundbreaking film The Color of Fear, is pioneering new ways to bring together education, bodymind healing, and leadership coaching. Vanissar Tarakali combines intimate and social trauma expertise, anti-oppression education, a Ph.D. in East-West psychology, and a deep understanding of the body's intuitive, energetic, survival and healing mechanisms to design embodied educational programs.

Saturday, January 23, 2010
10am-5pm
Sliding scale: $80-180
First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. in Oakland
Email ntorbett@seminaryofthestreet.org to sign up.