Exploring Somatics Through Safety, Belonging, and Dignity

Staci Haines, a seasoned practitioner with 30 years of experience, has dedicated her work to personal and social transformation. She specializes in somatics, trauma healing, embodied leadership, and transformative justice. She is the author of "The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice '' as well as "Healing Sex: A Mind Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma" which delves into ways that traumas can manifest in our life. She is a prominent figure in the field of somatics, emphasizing its role in social and climate justice, as well as trauma and oppression recovery. Staci conducts programs, teacher training, and collaborates with social change organizations. She is the co-founder of Generative Somatics, an organization focused on social justice capacity building. She is also associated with the Strozzi Institute as a lead teacher and has played a pivotal role in its methodology.

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider speaks with Staci on her work in somatics and how this work plays such a crucial role in embodied transformation. Staci talks about the importance of alignment between action and being and establishing boundaries to be able to form new patterns. She also discusses her work in both social and climate justice and sheds light on the impacts these have on people at multiple levels. Staci shares the power of group work for the collective soma and explains the importance of recognizing that humans are social animals who thrive on connection. She touches on places in the soma that may hold pain, and even shares a couple of practices, including one called Blending to move with energy in its current direction, rather than resisting the flow.

Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

Show Notes:

Check out Staci’s website here

Read The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice 

Read Healing Sex: A Mind Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma here

Look into Generative Somatics

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch is committed to ending isolation in illness and transforming trauma through togetherness. The mission is to provide connection, wellness and healing opportunities that change the lives of anyone touched by pain, suffering, or medical challenges. This includes kids with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. 

The organization reaches thousands of people each year at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, through Telehealth, and in hospitals and communities. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a Heal it Forward model that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org