Burn the Box! 🔥�‪�‬ Sonali Deepika

Saumya founded The I AM Project in 1998, driven by a passion to nurture children's self-awareness through somatic exploration and playful contemplation. Transitioning from a career in architecture and urban policy in 2003, she redirected her focus towards a path aligned with her deeper calling. As a Licensed Mental Health Therapist and seasoned meditation/yoga teacher, Saumya specializes in addressing inter-generational and racialized trauma, drawing upon her extensive knowledge of Hindu/Buddhist principles.

With a lifelong dedication to mindfulness practices, Saumya integrates embodiment techniques to facilitate healing and self-exploration. Her mission is to cultivate inclusive and healing communal spaces where individuals feel empowered to authentically connect, explore their inner landscapes, and pursue their desired outcomes. Born to Indian immigrants in Winston-Salem, NC, and raised in rural Eastern Shore, Maryland, Saumya's upbringing sparked her curiosity about the intersection of ancient wisdom and Western influence, driving her commitment to supporting marginalized children in navigating oppressive systems both in India and the US.

In this episode, Saumya and Sonali talks about:

Unraveling Our Conditioning: We can spend a lifetime shedding the limitations placed on us by our cultures and upbringing.
Somatic Abolitionism as a Wellspring: This practice offers a deep well of tools and resources to draw from in different contexts.
The Power of Community: Doing deep healing work in community allows for profound witnessing, holding space for uncertainty, and collective empowerment.
Embodied Authenticity: Integrating our lived experiences into our work fosters a deeper connection with clients.
The Importance of Play and Exploration: There's value in following curiosity and intuition throughout our healing journeys.

and so much more...

Find her work and learn more about Saumya on her instagram @thesunlightthrutrees
Website coming soon! wellnesswallah.com
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Connect with us:
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠
I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

Aneissa (she/her/ella) is a Xicana/Mexican American therapist, mother, wife, and relative to many loved ones. Her *known* people come from the colonized states of Sonora and Zacatecas, Mexico, the modern day Southwest, and Yaqui Nation (Yoeme) descendants. She centers social justice and the decolonization of psychotherapy in her work and strongly believes in mutual aid and self-and-communal care as a means of healing and liberation for all.
Aneissa brings over 20 years of post-graduate clinical experience, specializing in racial trauma. She underwent training with Resmaa Menakem as a Somatic Abolitionist Therapist in 2021 & 2022, fostering an abolitionism community for antiracist culture building.
Aneissa’s emergent work continues to focus on:

Spearheading an embodied cultural movement towards collective health
Addressing anti-Black & anti-Indigenous indoctrination in Latinx culture
Dismantling oppressive forces and combating the impact of Heart Hijack™️

In this episode, Aneissa and Sonali talks about:

The importance of honoring our ancestors and seeking their guidance and protection.
Somatic Abolitionism as a practice for reclaiming our hearts and fostering love, joy, and connection.
Understanding the interconnectedness of the nervous system and the heart for deeper healing and personal growth.
Harnessing the power of community to amplify individual healing journeys.
Staying present in the heart space amidst challenges.
Recognizing the potential of somatic practices to create lasting change for ourselves, families, and future generations.

and so much more...

Find her recent workshop:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwD3ctqr7hR/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

You can contact Aneissa at aneissasanchezlcsw@gmail.com
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Connect with us:
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠
I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

Erin Trent Johnson is a conscious Black mama, trauma-informed and embodied freedom coach, writer, speaker, facilitator, and explorer who helps Black women and non-binary folx remember their inherent worth and wisdom and their ecosystems spread generational health. Erin curates sacred care spaces that inspire healing, sharing, transformation, and Black joy.

Erin is the Founder and Co-Creator of BlackMamaBody, a social wellness technology company committed to building ecosystems of generational health. Erin's values, skills, and pleasure meet at the intersection of expressive art, spirit, and earth-honoring, body-based healing traditions. Ask Erin about Black women's fugitive wellness and viral imagination!

In this episode, Erin and Sonali delve into:

* Surrender as an invitation, not an obligation.

* The box as a metaphor for limitations.

* Community and co-creation as key tools for change.

* Viral imagination as a force for liberation.

* Playful and embodied practices for healing and transformation.

and so much more...

Find her work and learn more about Erin on her Instagram @blackmamabody.
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Connect with us:
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠
I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

Geordee Mae Corpuz (she/her/hers) is a Bay Area-based coach, organizer, and facilitator. With a deep understanding of systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma, Geordee recognizes how society invisibilizes different aspects of individuals, causing pain and fragmentation. Through coaching, she helps clients cultivate self-awareness and self-love to integrate all parts of themselves into their lives. With a decade of grassroots organizing experience, Geordee is dedicated to supporting leaders fighting for liberation in Black and Brown working-class communities. She serves as the Program Director at the Center for Empowered Politics and is the Board Chair for Filipino Advocates for Justice. In her downtime, Geordee enjoys basketball (especially cheering for the Warriors), spending time in nature, and being a dog mom to Izzy.

In this episode, Geordee and Sonali talks about:

Reclaiming Dignity: The conversation explores the journey of reclaiming dignity, breaking free from societal conditioning that prioritizes service to others over honoring one's own essence and autonomy.
Trust is the glue of movements: Strong relationships built on genuine trust are essential for building power and achieving transformative change.
Historical trauma: Systems of oppression like white supremacy, capitalism, colonialism, and patriarchy leave embodied imprints that affect how we connect with others.
Tempering the Vessel: Sonali and Geordee delve into the metaphor of "tempering the vessel," emphasizing the importance of cultivating a strong and receptive body-mind connection to harness one's purpose.
and so much more...

Find her work and learn more about her at geordeemaecorpuz.com
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Connect with us:
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠
I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

Kim Fowler, a Black woman residing in Santa Fe, New Mexico and an Elder in the Somatic Abolitionism community, brings a rich tapestry of experience to her roles as a coach, writer, singer, and nature lover. Growing up in Chicago, she witnessed firsthand the dynamics of racial segregation before settling in a city marked by a history of Native land appropriation and racial disparities.
Through her work and advocacy, Kim confronts internalized oppression and advocates for a deeper understanding of racial dynamics, urging both white and Black individuals to dismantle ingrained supremacist ideologies. Her recently recognized memoir, "All Will Be Well: A Memoir of Love and Dementia," explores her family's journey amidst her mother's illness and the influences of working within predominantly white institutions.

In this episode, Kim and Sonali talks about...

Expression and Repression: Sonali and Kim discuss the beauty of expression and the ways in which it can be repressed or suppressed in life.


Cultural and Societal Expectations: Kim reflects on the experiences of her parents and the pressures they faced to conform to certain behaviors and roles in order to navigate societal structures.


Holistic Expression: Kim's journey at the retreat demonstrates the holistic nature of expression, encompassing music, spoken word, and physical movement.


Reflection on Aging: Kim discusses breaking out of societal expectations around aging, contemplating her own journey as a 72-year-old and envisioning her role in eldership.

and SO much more

Find her work and learn more about her book, “All Will Be Well: A Memoir of Love and Dementia” at https://www.mesacoaching.com/

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Connect with us:
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠
I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/

On this enlightening episode, we delve into the world of transformative therapy with Mariya Javed-Payne, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Brainspotting Trainer, and Consultant.
In her clinical practice, Mariya specializes in somatic psychotherapy, brainspotting therapy, and psychedelic assisted therapy. As the owner of Awaken Consulting Services and co-owner of the Institute for Integrative Therapies, Mariya is at the forefront of integrating innovative therapeutic approaches to foster healing.
Currently, Mariya is gearing up for an upcoming ancestral healing workshop and exploring the realm of ketamine assisted psychotherapy with groups, particularly focusing on racial trauma—a testament to her commitment to addressing issues at the intersection of ancestral history and contemporary challenges.
Our conversation with Mariya also takes a deep dive into the world of somatic abolitionism, a powerful approach she employs in her practice. We discuss how Mariya is passionate about breaking existing boxes, transforming workplaces, and fostering community through the use of song, dance, and intensive therapy.
Connect with Mariya Javed-Payne at www.iit-mn.com and www.awakenconsultingservices.com.
Email: visionxshift@gmail.com.
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Connect with us:
Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@iamsacredground⁠
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsacredground⁠
I Am Sacred Ground’s website: ⁠https://www.iamsacredground.com/