Decolonizing the Body with Kelsey Blackwell

Welcome to another insightful recap of the latest from the Embodied Justice podcast. In this episode, “Decolonizing the Body” we’re joined by Kelsey Blackwell. She delves deep with Dr. Judy Lubin into how societal programming and trauma influence our lives and wellbeing. The discussions are not just intellectually enriching—they are calls to action to reconnect with our bodies and redefine our interactions with the world around us.

The episode begins with an exploration of how programming—both societal and personal—dictates our lives in ways we often overlook. For example, Kelsey Blackwell, through her personal narratives and professional insights as a somatic coach, discusses the intense need to come ‘home to our body.’ This homecoming is more than just a metaphor; it’s about prioritizing our bodily needs and sensations which have been subdued by external expectations and early life conditioning.

Here are three pivotal takeaways from the discussion:

• Trauma and the Body: Kelsey illuminates the intrinsic connection between trauma and bodily response. She emphasizes the importance of being aware of these responses as a step towards healing and ultimately, making a conscious choice to complete the trauma response cycle. [26:59]: “Exactly that. In my own life, this has really manifest because I just got back from a silent retreat in in the woods in Marin, and it’s something I do every year… And I just could feel my body saying, like, you are held and you are enough. And it was this connection to the earth.”
• Decolonizing Our Bodies: This powerful dialogue reveals the necessity for internal ‘decolonization’ to combat the repercussions of oppressive systems like racism and capitalism that significantly impact a person’s self-worth and wellbeing. [47:01]: “You have to have enough of a pause to notice. And the noticing is hard because like you said, our minds are so fast, and our minds are not used to sharing power with our body. So our minds can be this kind of power over entity inside, and they like running the show. And so when we come into the body, they’re like, what are we doing? I don’t understand this. This is silly. This is stupid. It’s not nothing’s happening.”
• Individual Accountability in Racial Justice: The conversation takes an essential turn towards personal responsibility in racial justice work. Kelsey encourages individuals to reflect on whether this work aligns with their passion and boundaries, highlighting the significance of pursuing what truly energizes and fulfills oneself. [36:40]: And I think one of the things to kind of hold is, like, rightsizing the work. Because while we can see it’s like when you date somebody and there’s a lot of potential and you stay in the relationship maybe a little bit longer than you should because there’s so much potential. But inside of that potential, like, you’re actually suffering. You’re acquiescing. You’re not, receiving the support you need. You’re not getting the time you need, etcetera. Right? So we can kind of, like, live in the potential of something and suffer because we we aren’t actually being realistic about what’s actually happening.

Take Action:

It’s time to take these insights off the podcast and into our lives. Start by engaging in a simple ‘shaking practice’ as Kelsey suggests, to connect with and awaken your body’s innate wisdom. Reflect on your commitments and passions—do they align with your actions and boundaries? Remember, transformation begins with a brave step towards aligning your work with your core values and needs. For those who feel called to deepen their practice, consider reaching out to a somatic coach or engage with resources that can facilitate this journey.

Next time life throws you a curveball, remember to shake, breathe deeply, and maybe give a little wink to Kelsey’s wisdom. Whether settling in for a silent retreat or pushing for policies that honor our dignity and humanity, let’s carry forward the courage to embrace our true sensations and boundaries. Here’s to shaking up the system, one deep breath at a time!

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