S7E7 - Finding Your Ancestral Practices & Decolonizing The Body with Kelsey Blackwell

Today on the podcast, we’re discussing somatic practices to help
recognize and unhook from the embodied impacts of systemic
oppression with Cultural Somatics Practitioner, Facilitator, and
Author Kelsey Blackwell.


 


When we start contemplating the question… How did we all get so
disembodied, one quickly arrives at a few core factors. One of
them is colonization & white supremacy. The impact these
systems have on *every* *single* *body* is profound. Whether our
identity is black, white, or persons of culture/color.


 


From perfectionism, body shame, keeping silent, controlling &
generally feeling like we’re not enough. Many (most) common
challenges modern women face have roots in the culture &
practices of past/current colonization.


 


Exploring how these systems are alive & living within us is a
key inquiry if we are to shift from the “I have so much work to
do on myself” mindset, and into the greater realization that
‘it’s not you, it’s the system”.


 


This conversation is also a wonderful exploration into
reconnecting with your ancestral lineage in embodied ways - even
if you hold multiple lineages or have no idea what your lineage
actually is.


 


One of our school's teachers, Sharon Kaur, recently pointed me in
the direction of Kelsey’s work on embodied liberation - thank you
Sharon.


 


​​In this episode, we discuss:


What is a colonized body?

Kelsey shares her personal discovery from “there’s something
wrong with me” to rediscovering the movement & songs of her
lineage and the power of decolonizing practices

The Patterns of Emboidment in colonized bodies & how it
shows up

We speak about ‘narrowing the body’, into smaller size &
space

How can we find our sincere ancestral practices when we are
amelange of people & places

If you’re seeking initiation or a textbook of practices for
your lineage Kelsey offers some significant perspective shifts

We dive into three delicious embodied, decolonizing practices
lead by Kelsey



 


Kelsey works specifically with women of colour, however all
identities will take something away from this rich conversation.


 


Kelsey Blackwell, MS is a cultural somatics practitioner and
author dedicated to supporting women of color to trust and follow
the guidance of the body so we may powerfully radiate our worth,
dignity and wisdom in a world that sorely needs this brilliance.
As a facilitator, coach, and speaker, she has brought
abolitionist embodied practices to such diverse groups as riders
on Bay Area Rapid Transit trains to students at Stanford
University to the offices of LinkedIn. She works 1:1 with clients
as well as leads the eight-week group program, Decolonizing the
Body. Kelsey is the author of the viral article, Why People of
Color Need Spaces Without White People, published by The Arrow
Journal. She is a Certified InterPlay Leader, Strozzi Certified
Somatic Coach, and holds a master’s degree in Publishing from the
Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. In
addition to being impactful, Kelsey believes working towards
personal and collective liberation must also bring joy. She lives
in San Francisco, California.


 


Also, good to know… Earlier this year our school recognized Jen’
work in our 2022 Excellence In Coaching Celebrations in the
category of Founders Flourishing Award which recognizes a
practitioner in the multi-dimensional mastery of her body of
work. Awarded by Founder Jenna Ward, this practitioner's work
transcends categories.


 


Would love to hear what you took from this podcast, drop me a
reflection on Instagram here  


 


Resources mentioned in this podcast:


Kelsey Blackwell - website

Kelsey on Instagram

Decolonizing the Body: Healing, Body-Centered Practices for
Women of Color to Reclaim Confidence, Dignity, and Self-Worth by
Kelsey Blackwell

Decolonizing the Body playlist on Spotify

Kelsey’s lineage of learning - Interplay & the Strozzi
Institute

Feminine Embodiment Coaching - an emotional embodiment &
vulnerability-based professional training for coaches

Find a Feminine Embodiment Coach in our Professional
Directory

School of Embodied Arts

Leave a podcast review on iTunes here

Thought or reflection to share? Leave a comment on Instagram
here



 


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Find Jenna on the following platforms:


Website: http://jennaward.co/


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaward.co/


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennawardco/


 


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