Decolonizing the Body

Women of color possess a rich and intrinsic wisdom that lives in the bones. Decolonizing then is a practice of intentionally allowing ourselves to trust what we have always known.  

WoC are invited to join me for this 8-week program focused on somatic decolonization. We’ll learn and explore together supported by weekly Zoom sessions, study resources and embodied practices that encourage health, grounding and rest so we can more frequently show up as our fullest selves.

 
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You know you need to slow down. You know spending time away from screens supports your overall wellbeing. You know your body would love a little more of your time. Even with all this knowing, making changes to support your thriving are inconsistent at best. There’s always just … one … more … thing. You’re noticing a growing tightness across your shoulders and back. The more tired you feel the more anxious you become. There’s that voice, subtle at times, louder at others that says, you are not doing enough. It says, you are an imposter. It says you are fraudulent, and if you stop, everything will come crashing down. 

This is the cost of capitalism. This is the cost of patriarchy. This is the cost of white supremacy. This is living in a colonized body.

 

Many bodies over time created the systems of inequity that we all live under. Peeling back how we’ve been conditioned by these harmful narratives requires we break the first rule of the meritocracy: We realize we can’t do it alone.

This 8-week exploration is about being in healing and practice together for our own liberation and the many beings we touch.

 
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Program Themes

Slowing Down 

The importance of ritual for connecting with our wisdom and standing against “the machine” intent on pulling us into equating our worthiness with our productivity.

Cultivating Confidence

Exploring imposter syndrome and doubt. Where did these narratives come from and what would it take to embody something else?

Practicing Boundaries

What does it feel like to stand in your “yes’s” and “no’s” with full trust? The body often knows when a boundary is needed but many bodies of culture are practiced at overriding this to make others comfortable. In session 3 we’ll practice getting comfortable bringing forward what we really need.  

Allowing Nourishment

Let us practice receiving — receiving not because we’ve done something special to earn it, or that we worked for it, receiving simply because we we deserve to be nourished.

Following Aliveness

Integration and rest. Our final session will explore somatic breath work and practices for letting it all go.

Program Testimonials

  • I am weaving how to divest from white body supremacy.

    The pacing, amount of sections for each week, and meetings to reflect on the learnings were really useful. I am weaving how to ask for support when I need it because I am valuable and deserving of care and love. I am weaving how I show up in the world. I am weaving how to divest from white body supremacy.

    — Bhumi P., Choreographer

  • I was able to bring to the surface emotions that have been suffocated.

    This was a space that welcomed my authentic self. By learning and exploring myself more fully through the videos, readings, and prompts, I was able to bring to the surface emotions that have been suffocated. I am grateful for Kelsey’s use of decolonized, femme, revolutionary writers’ and artists’ work to support our healing journey. Through this course, I better understand the gentle nudges of my body to move and rest in ways that honor how energy needs to flow in and through me.

    — Shari G., Leadership Coach and Consultant

  • I feel more connected to my 'self', my body, my partner, and my children.

    This program has transformed the way that I live, love, parent and work. The exercises and practices that we were introduced to are practices that feel like a lifeline to me now. I feel more connected to my 'self', my body, my partner, and my children.

    — B. Perez, Psychotherapist and Consultant

  • I have been hungry for ways to align more deeply with my body and the Earth.

    This experience offered me a goodie bag of tools and resources for reflection and embodiment. I have been hungry for ways to align more deeply with my body and the Earth. Thank you for giving me tangible practices to add to my spiritual toolkit.

    — Syon

  • I am moving in the direction of a totally liberated body

    So much has bubbled up over the last couple of weeks. I am learning to feel and name it. I am recognizing what happened to me in dealing with my ex for the last 4 years. I am moving in the direction of a totally liberated body - the ancestors brought me here. Thank you for offering this space for us to slow down and for modeling how to begin a practice for embodiment.

    — Anne M., DEI Facilitator  

  • Decolonizing The Body was a wide-open doorway into exploration, expansion, nourishment, creativity, and healing

    So, wow! Decolonizing The Body was a wide-open doorway into exploration, expansion, nourishment, creativity, and healing, all held within a wonderfully supportive community. Everything – from the thoughtfully curated materials, videos, embodiment exercises, and group gatherings – were intriguing, enriching, and challenging. I wanted to push my growth edge as I work to decolonize my heart and mind and write new narratives for myself and this course could not have been more relevant to this process. Throughout it all, Kelsey's thoughtfulness and warmth touched every aspect of the journey and she has an incredible ability to hold light and dark, joy and sadness, gentleness and fierceness, ambiguity and clarity, complexity and simplicity with skill and wisdom. I am so grateful she created this wonderful offering.

    — Dina B., Nonprofit Consultant  

  • Thank you Kelsey for creating this space

    The 5-week program has sprouted a new-found curiosity and healing journey for me. I looked forward to our weekly gatherings and I noticed how quickly my body felt at ease to be in the company of other women of color. The facilitator was amazingly in tune with all of us which also helped me open up and feel connected. Thank you Kelsey for creating this space and I hope that you can continue to build this program for more women to connect and heal.

    — Alicia C., Artist and Therapist

  • True healing is being in community with other Women

    I enjoyed the themes that are important to women of color and that need to be emphasized for us including slowing down, setting boundaries, building confidence, and going for our aliveness. Often I find myself in survival and pushing mode. True healing is being in community with other Women like me and true liberation is following my passion and aliveness. Letting the world take care of itself instead of trying to save it myself.

    — Zeshan M., Somatic Coach

FAQs

Can we decolonize in 8 weeks?

Let’s interrupt the linear narrative of getting “there.”  This program isn’t about checking a box. Rather, our time is for planting seeds for continued nurture and care. Each week is a seedling. 

In my work with clients, these are the topics we come back to — the practices that have been the most helpful for supporting somatic transformation. You’ll be invited to focus on what feels resonant for you.

Who this course is for?

Womxn of color interested or curious about working through the body. Many of the folks I work with have a history of embodied practice through dance or other physical activity and working somatically makes “sense” to them. This course is also for politicized bodies for whom the terms white supremacy and decolonization aren’t feather ruffling. We accept that these forms of oppression are true and our work is to begin examining and dismantling. 

What is my investment?

There are two payment options -

Standard: $995
A one-time payment of $995

Payment Plan: 2 Payments of $500
Make automated payments for 2 months. 

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YOUR GUIDE

Hi, I’m Kelsey a certified somatic coach and writer dedicated to undermining the master’s tools with contemplative, embodied and creative practices. I support womxn of color to trust and follow the guidance of their bodies so they may powerfully radiate their worth, dignity and wisdom in a world which sorely needs this brilliance.

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I’m ready to explore my own healing..