Why I signed up for the ERJ yearlong course
Hi there-
My name is Ty, I’m a high-school teacher in Portland Oregon. My interest in politicized somatics comes from my longing for us to have actual collective power. If we can actually feel ourselves and each other, then we can move more nimbly and more lovingly together.
These times are urgent. The urgency is one of the things that makes me interested in figuring out how we can practice being precious with each other - and not let our white urgency run the show. I’ve been in white anti-racist organizing, and after a while, I realized how much shame, judgment, and criticism was being passed around. The thing is, in social movement work we can’t afford to let little judgy slivers of division win because what we are up against is so big. We need everyone in this work for change to happen - especially under the pressures we’ll be facing.
These are some of the reasons I’m excited to invite you to join me in the Pacific Northwest for the next Embodying Racial Justice yearlong white racial-justice leadership Program, Opening to Freedom.
When I was first exposed to somatics I will admit I was a little scared. I felt nervous talking about bodies. I didn’t really want to feel my body. But at the ERJ course in Portland in September of this year I was offered lots of options to be in practice with other participants. Through multiple repetitions, I started to get access to a little bit more feeling. For me, even a little bit more feeling is really phenomenal!
So I just want to say that if you are nervous - if you’re feeling a version of collapse or panic - I’ve been there.
And I want to say that the somatics courses are totally worth it. I see somatics as an investment in myself and an investment in my leadership so I can show up and meet this political moment and so I can be the parent I want to be.
I’m pictured second from the right with other participants in the Portland ERJ training in September 2024.
At the end of my Portland four-day course, the amount of change I felt was astronomical. Now I want to deepen my practice and have a consistent cohort to do that work with. I believe in Dara and the teaching team. In this moment when collapse or panic are close at hand I want to have somatics as a part of my political lineage for the year(s) ahead.
I’m starting to learn I can be vulnerable in my anti-racist work with other white people and still belong. I want that for more of us.
When I went home from the Portland four-day, I re-entered life with a little more fortification. I had the group with me when I faced hard parenting decisions. I could feel in my body a little more room to face the decision in front of me. I’m grateful that my practice is helping align my body with my values for the sake of my parenthood. If my body isn’t settled I get an instant feedback loop from the younger people around me.
I feel nervous about the beginning of the year-long program. I also feel curious about the possibility. If I got all this incredible stuff from an introductory four-day course, what will I get from a full year of practice in a community with some of you? What can we build in the Pacific Northwest? I’m looking forward to going deeper. I’m looking forward to meeting you and figuring out what we can do together. I will bring my curiosity.
I know this course is a big commitment - and I really hope you’ll be there with me!
In solidarity,
–Ty
