ISMETA Study Groups

Live online gatherings for members wanting to dive deeply into a topic together. Study Groups are typically formed for a specific interested group for a specific on-going period of time.

What topics are you most interested in studying with other Somatic Movement Professionals?

ISMETA Members Sign into your account and suggest upcoming topics ideas at bottom of this page.

The ISMETA Equity, Justice, and Accessibility Book/Practice Group Is Open to New Members in October
The ISMETA Equity, Justice, and Accessibility Committee Book/Practice Group meets monthly on Zoom, every second Monday from 1-2:15 pm ET. The group will begin a new text, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by adrienne marie brown. Due to Indigenous People’s Day, the group will meet on October 20th  rather than October 13th.

New members with an interest in somatic approaches to social justice are welcome. If you would like to join the circle, please email info@ismeta.org with the subject line: EJA Book Group.
Photo of the author appears on their website: https://adriennemareebrown.net/ 

Past Study Groups

STUDY/PRACTICE GROUP beginning Monday, September 11, 2023, for:
Embodied Activism: Engaging the Body to Cultivate Liberation, Justice, and Authentic Connection by Dr. Rae Johnson
ISMETA is opening its book/practice group to new members who are interested in learning about decolonial somatic movement approaches as we begin Rae Johnson's new book. Since 2020, we have read and practiced the exercises offered in two texts: My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem and The Politics of Trauma by Staci Haines. Familiarity with one or both of these books is helpful as we will build on the foundation of shared understanding that has been constructed over the past three years.
WHEN: Second Monday of each month from 1-2:15pm Eastern U.S. time, starting on September 11, 2023
WHO: ISMETA members with some experience exploring equity, justice, and accessibility topics within our profession
The intention to attend as many sessions as possible is important to maintain the integrity of this learning container. This is not a "drop-in" group.
Dr. Johnson's book is available at a 20% discount for ISMETA members through the ISMETA Bookstore HERE. (Please sign into your ISMETA account to be eligible for the discounted rate.)
REGISTER: Please send an email indicating your interest and background experience to the facilitator, Elisabeth, at: E.OsgoodCampbell@ismeta.org
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BOOK/PRACTICE GROUP, August 2021 - June 2023
The Politics of Trauma: Somatics, Healing, and Social Justice by Staci K. Haines
"Somatics has proven to be particularly effective in addressing trauma, but in practice it typically focuses solely on the individual, failing to integrate the social conditions, structural inequities, and systemic forces of oppression that create trauma in the first place. Staci K. Haines, somatic innovator and cofounder of generative somatics, invites readers to look beyond individual experiences of body and mind to name and examine the social, political, and economic roots of trauma—including racism, environmental degradation, sexism, and poverty. Haines helps readers identify, understand, and address these sources of trauma to help us bridge individual healing with social transformation."
This group, which meets online on the first Monday of every month from 1 - 2:15 pm Eastern U.S. time, will open to new participants when we begin a new book in the summer of 2023.
• • •
BOOK/PRACTICE GROUP, June 2020 - June 2021
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Healing our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
This guided study/practice group, originally coordinated by Karine Bell, explored somatic abolitionist work through applied concepts and practices from Somatic Experiencing. As author Resmaa Menakem says, "There's a way out of this mess, and it requires each of us to begin with our own body. You and your body are important parts of the solution... Your body - all of our bodies - are where changing the status quo must begin."
In addition to the regular meetings within Karine Bell's affinity groups, interested ISMETA members met monthly to discuss how the book's practices affected us personally and professionally, within the context of our somatic movement practices.

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