Living Lineage

Here you’ll find a work in progress. This is the Living Lineage of the path and methodology of Somatics. Embodied Transformation is not new, rather, it is very, very old. As old as people. In my own learning of somatic bodywork, one of my teachers said, “Humans have been doing this forever—bringing skilled and benevolent touch for healing. Feel this at your back.” It felt like remembering as well as learning.

The lineage of Somatics in the US has a complex history, mired in white supremacy, patriarchy, colonization, migration and slavery. It is also informed by healing, resilience, social justice, spiritual paths and remembering. Somatics, like any path and method, can get co-opted into being used for capitalism, individualism, and perpetuating “power-over” norms. Our commitment is to use Somatics for healing, social and climate justice, and collective liberation.

Here you’ll find a deck you can dig into, which speaks to the many influences of this Living Lineage, including Strozzi Institute, Lomi School and generative somatics. Feel free to ask questions, offer insights and contribute more information where you might know it. This is a collective story. We hold this is a Living Lineage, one that will grow and transform with time, context, and generations.

What are your healing lineages? What are your social justice and movement lineages? Who are your teachers and mentors? Who are you passing your embodied skills and wisdom onto?

This Living Lineage deck has been developed through research, interviews, feedback, and many conversations. Vassi Kapali (Johri), Elizabeth Ross and Staci K. Haines developed what you see here. Conversations included Lisa Thomas Adeyemo, Liu Hoi Man, Jennifer Ianiello, Spenta Kandawalla, Nathan Shara and Richard Strozzi-Heckler. Participants in generative somatics (gs) teacher training and many gs programs offered further feedback and insights. This is an ongoing process.

Somatic Living Lineage: Download Presentation Here.

Please also watch The Embodiment Institute’s Speaker Series #LineageofEmbodiment here

These are vibrant conversations about the living lineages of Somatics, with an intersectional analysis.