Working with others – let alone engaging in systems change – is often challenging, triggering, stressful, and difficult.
And under the pressure, stress and challenge of leadership and working with complex systems, we often find ourselves showing up and acting in ways that are counter to what is needed.
Under stress and pressure, what do you notice about yourself? How do you react and respond? What are your default patterns? Do you find yourself being adaptive and creative?
Or deferring to certainty, control, rules, policies, and procedures? Do you find yourself being centered and responsive?
Or overextending and never slowing down?Do you find yourself engaging and connecting?
Or backing off, checking out, or shutting down?Do you find yourself communicating and collaborating?
Or isolating or becoming quiet?
Do you find yourself sensing and probing?
Or trying to push through and take charge?
Do you find your awareness broadens?
Or your focus narrows?
Somatic theory teaches us that our human social behaviors – our default patterned responses – are mirrored in our bodies and movements. And that when we can shift what is present in our bodies and movements, we can begin to shift our human social behavior.
How might we embody a different way of being and acting so that we can lead and support systems change?
How we do one thing is how we do everything.
Somatic practices allow us to reflect on our movement habits so that we can gain a greater understanding of how we show up under pressure. They help us begin to shift these patterns so that we can show up from a more grounded and centered space. They can help us uncover a link between our physical movements and our personalities, motivations, experiences, assumptions, cognitive bias, perceptions and reality.
At Proponents, we live and work at the intersection of the multiplicity of our humanity and complexity of our systems. We love supporting PEOPLE. In their wellbeing, leadership, and alignment. And we love working to change SYSTEMS. To be healthier, equitable, and regenerative.
I relish the journey of self-discovery. For years, I’ve been committed to my own somatic practice. And I have also held space for others (individuals and teams) who are curious about seeing themselves and each other in new ways and with greater awareness.
Somatic practices invite us to begin to shift and embody that which we seek to become. We believe somatic practices can lead us towards greater insight, awareness, clarity, alignment, purpose, and courage.
While there are various somatic practices, my favorite is practicing some basic Aikido techniques – which is a form of martial art. (Kurt’s favorite practice uses breathwork when sitting or lying down.)
If you want to explore this type of support, get in touch!
Here’s what folks have to say about the experience:
“Wow. It was fun, transformative, emotional. Fascinating to learn so much about myself from how my body moves. If you haven’t yet tried this, you should! Matteah is a great guide.” ~Ben Oliver
“It is a great experience! By the end of the practice I discovered several areas of myself I either never paid close attention to or ignored all together. If one reflects closely on their experience, one will find areas for growth and improvement.” ~Israel Ledesma
“As a group experience, this exercise helped each of us learn a beautiful series of movements. We got a chance to work in teams. And learned some things about each other (some people were more competitive than we thought!). I would recommend this to others looking to connect as a group, and reflect as an individual.” ~Cheryl Endres