Embodied Practices For Spiritual Care Workers

A 4-Week Somatic Practice Series for Spiritual Directors, Chaplains and other Spiritual Care Workers

Embodiment work is sometimes called “somatic” work. Soma, a term coined by Thomas Hana, simply refers to the body in its wholeness. So many forces in our world have served to disconnect most of us from our bodies, causing us to experience our thoughts & intellect as the center of our experience and wisdom, and the primary site of our discernment and power. Somatic work does not minimize the value of “head-knowing”, but rather it seeks to repair that disconnection and reconnect us with the fullness of our experience. For many of us, this not only feels like coming home to ourselves, but profoundly expands our access to our own deeper knowing, and a felt-sense of support and belonging with spirit, land, creation, ourselves.  

As care workers offering spiritual support, we encounter some of the bigger questions and emotions that human beings experience. At times, the gravity of these moments inevitably pull us somewhat off center, stirring up our own protective patterns (perfectionism, fix-it-ism, fear of the unraveling, etc) These are not just patterns that happen in our thoughts, but reflexive, embodied experiences of contraction and protection.

We will always bring our own wounds and humanness to the work of caring for others, in fact it can be part of what best equips us to meet people wherever they are. And, becoming more familiar with our own tendencies and hooks and how to notice them in our bodies, can help us find the pathway back to center & presence. Just as our bodies are where we experience fear, urgency, reflexive needs to fix or control, we can also tend to our bodies in those moments and actively support them to feel held, connected, safe - enabling us to hold space for others from that more centered place. For those engaged in caregiving, spiritual accompaniment, ministry, healing work, or community leadership, cultivating this deeper relationship with our body in its wholeness can be profoundly supportive.

In this series, through guided somatic practices, reflection, discussion, and experiential learning, participants will deepen their capacity to notice what is happening internally, return to center amidst activation, and cultivate a deepening felt sense of support, connection, and presence. As we expand our access to discernment, resilience, compassion, and spiritual rootedness—we will grow our capacity to care for others, but also become more fully present to ourselves.

Session Dates:

Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30

September 29th, October 6th, 13th and 20th Sept 29th

Location: TBD Minneapolis Church

Cost: Sliding scale of $300-500 (please reach out if cost is a barrier!)

Please note: Barring emergencies, we do ask that people plan to be present for all sessions, which build on each other!