Putting Soma into Summer
A Summer Update Replete with Learning Resources
Dear Friends,
I hope this summer season has brought you a sense of adventure, restoration, and delight despite the recent heatwaves and ongoing challenges in our communities. This summer I’ve enjoyed open-water swimming in fresh lakes and ocean bays, camping with my daughter upstate, and converting my garage in Sag Harbor into an art studio.
The summer months also often offer me an opportunity to press pause and deepen my understanding of healing practices that I lead from September through June. I’m so fortunate in this regard and really make sure I soak up as much learning as possible during these off times. So I hope you’ll bear with me as I offer something of an update.
Earlier this summer, I travelled again to Ireland. This time to practice yoga and meditation at two beautiful retreat centers in County Clare. There, I also visited many sacred sites to study the local geography and ancient history
In Clare, I was asked to participate in a art photo project called Wild Beings Being Seen. As part of the project, I posed for a series of nude photos shot by Aosie Tutty Jackson at a sacred well in Liscannor, dedicated to the triple Goddess Brigid, now the patron saint of Ireland.
The project spoke to a healthy reclamation of our bodies, sensuality, and relationship to nature from the forces of shame and oppression that had such an impact on the Irish people and those of us in the diaspora. I’d never before posed nude in nature and found the process to be so liberating and beautiful. As a middle-aged woman of Irish ancestry, I felt the photo shoot at a sacred well was both transgressive and empowering.
Upon returning home, I’ve begun writing about my experiences in Ireland and relationship to Irish culture in a creative community called the Writer’s Knot facilitated by the fabulous Marissa Goudy. Marissa offers our circle a series of thoughtful prompts that are often generated from themes and questions that arise from ancient Celtic mythology. I hope to weave these written explorations into my book of essays called Famine Roads.
In July, I also took a deep dive into the art and practice of both Somatic Experiencing and Authentic Movement with Weena Pauly Tarr. The is my second training with Weena and I’m gettting so much out of it on a professional and personal level. Our cohort meets twice weekly to explore the roles of mover and witness as it relates to authenticity, impulse, attention, resourcing, curiosity, and unconscious somatic memory or desire. It’s been transformative to be able to explore bodily expression and move so freely across both familiar and unknown somatic terrain. What a gift to be witnessed and witness others with unconditional positive regard. I plan to integrate some of the insights and practices into my seasonal offerings.
This summer my work has also been strengthened and enriched by studying with Bo Forbes, a renown integrative yoga therapist, clinical psychologist, and author of the popular book Yoga for Emotional Balance. Bo’s teaching is informed by her dogged research and keen understanding of practice at the intersection of neuroscience and sociology. Her writing and teaching have deepened my understanding of body agency and body trust through the lens of yoga. Her work has also brought new perspective and approaches to treatment of ADHD, trauma, and social inequity. Bo offers really groundbreaking resources for yoga teachers, therapists, and folks engaged in their own healing work.
Next week, I head to the Zen Mountain Monastery in Mount Tremper, New York for an annual retreat. I’ll be exploring creativity at the intersection of contemplative practice. In keeping with the zen tradition, the retreat mixes a taste of monastic life (zazen twice daily, communal living and responsibilities) with artistic practices. Last year, we dropped in to the slow, slow dance that is Butoh theater. This year, we’ll go a bit Wabi Sabi with a weeklong ceramics workshop called “Mountain Bowl, Mountain Fire.” The retreat will be led by the remarkable Hojin Sensei (Jody Hojin Kimmel), the abbot of the Fire Lotus Temple in Brooklyn.
I look forward to resuming my work with organizations and individuals in September with fresh insights and energy. I’ll be sure to keep you updated on all offerings!
With Love,
Julie
Thank for going beyond! I am so excited to read & see how far you’re stretching. I travel with you in spirit & mind until I can do so in person. Every adventure is so beautifully documented. Love you!