Opening to Freedom: Embodied Facilitation for White Folks - Upstate NY

Retreat 1: May 30-June 2, 2024
Retreat 2: August 15-18, 2024
Retreat 3: November 14-17, 2024
Retreat 4: Dates TBD in first quarter of 2025

Size: 28 Participants
Teachers: Dara Silverman, Cari Caldwell, Michael Strom, Sarah Abbott, Lyndsey Scott

In order to support our planning we would appreciate registrations submitted by the early bird deadline of March 8. The final deadline for registration is March 25.

WHY THIS PROGRAM NOW?

The call to co-create an intimate 28 -person  program emerges from almost four years of bringing somatics to white racial justice organizers. The focus thus far has been on practicing together and building community around our shared commitments to defend Black life and end white supremacy in our lifetimes. We’re wanting to go deeper together. Deeper in practice, in relationship, and in our capacity to hold the complexity and urgency of this political moment as accountable, relaxed, and dignified white people—with love and rigor. We know that more is possible when we practice together, because we’ve seen it already. What more might be possible if we commit to this intensive container, to a year of deepening together? 

In this pilot year, we are exploring how we might bring our fully embodied selves to the work of:

• Conflict, rupture & repair

• Shame, trauma & resilience

• Ritual & holding sacred space

• Grief

WHO IS CREATING THIS PROGRAM?

Dara Silverman is the lead teacher, as part of a skilled team of four teachers - Cari Caldwell,  Michael Strom, Sarah Abbott and Lyndsey Scott (song-leader). Each teacher will be a mentor to a small group of participants. The program overall has an advisory group of BIPOC and white embodiment practitioners and racial justice organizers.  We plan to include a team of cohort members / participants who will advise the creation of each session and also bring their experience and expertise to the program, deepening our practice around coaching & facilitation, cultural reclamation, conflict, grief, ritual, trauma & resilience.

STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM:

• Four in-person retreats spread across the year (currently May, August & November 2024, 2025 dates TBD)

• Monthly Practice & methodology calls in between retreats to stay in practice together and go deeper on concepts and political analysis, including calls with guest teachers

• Monthly mentorship circles with members of the teaching team

• Individual sessions

• Participant organized and led groups to go deeper in topics and practices based on interest and experience

• A curriculum arc integrating somatic practice and theory as foundational to the practice of other methodologies including:

• Facilitation — holding space for conflict, healing, and transformation

• White folks’ work — embodying racial justice, ancestor work, cultural reclamation

• Political education — embodied race/class analysis, bring in relationship and our bodies as we do theory work

COURSE PROMISES:

• More access to aliveness

• Moving towards more choice under pressure and through the contradictions of this current moment

• Deeper understanding of embodied anti-racist frameworks

• Moving from old shape to new shape in current political conditions

• Becoming more congruent, aligning embodiment, words and actions with our longings

• PRE-REQUISITES

  Ideally course participants will have some training in politicized somatics, and previous experience is not required

  New participants are welcome. Dara will have a 1:1 conversation with new folks upon receipt of your application

• COST

  Registration rates include a sliding scale tiered system from $3,000-$6,000. Together we can create financial balance when we each pay at the level we are able.

  One thing to know is that there are a limited number of slots for each sliding scale tier. That way registrants have the widest tiered scale possible, Embodying Racial Justice can balance the overall budget and pay organizing and administrative fees, the team of four trainers can be paid a living wage and we can meet our commitment to redistribute a minimum of 30% of funds to local Black and Indigenous groups as well as Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity. The cost of the course covers all of that and includes registrant housing, shared breakfast, lunch and dinners as well as snacks and drinks.

  The true cost of this program is $10,000 per participant. As part of ERJ’s commitment to sliding scale and financial balance, there are 21 registration slots available under $10,000. As of 2/26/24, 11 of those spots have been filled.*

  Here is more detail about the 21 registration slots available under $10K:

  • 4 registration slots were available for work trade. These have been filled.

  • 5 registration slots were available at $3,000. These have been filled.

  • 5 registration slots are available at $6,000. As of 2/20/24, 2 more are available.*

  • 7 registration slots are available at $8,000. As of 2/20/24, 7 are available.*

  I’m always happy to discuss the sliding scale with you directly. I welcome your questions at embodyingracialjustice@gmail.com. Please know we will be fundraising to support the full participation of the widest range of people, so don’t hesitate to contact me.

  *These numbers will shift in real time as folks continue to register.

• LOCATION

  All the retreats will be held at the Watershed Center in Millerton NY. Watershed is close to the Wassaic Metronorth train line. The closest airports are Newark NJ or Hartford CT. 

• IN-PERSON RETREAT HOUSING

  We will be staying at a retreat center with options for shared rooms, single rooms and on-site camping. Campers will have access to an indoor bathroom and shower, should they want that. Commuters from off-site lodging are welcome. We are excited to be at a retreat center that offers more potential for relationship building and down time together and solo. The price is the same for commuters and those who stay on site.

Institutional Support:

For folks asking an institution to pay for their participation in the course, this template memo may be helpful.

Course Pilot:
This is the first pilot of Opening to Freedom. We have a clear purpose, strategy and structure and some flexibility and responsiveness to emergent situations will be needed. Your feedback in real time and at the end of the training will help inform future courses.

Covid Protocols

QUESTIONS?

For more information or to set up a one to one to talk about the program, please contact Embodying Racial Justice