
Mission Statement
Primal Embodiment is a powerful and transformative concept that focuses on reclaiming a positive relationship with one's own body, identity, and sexuality while also addressing the impact of colonization. It centered around the ideas of self-love, decolonization, and challenging societal norms that perpetuate shame and negative beliefs about these aspects of human experience.
Let's break down the key components:
Radical Self-Love: This refers to an intense and unconditional love and acceptance of oneself, including one's body, identity, and all aspects of who they are. It involves rejecting societal standards that promote self-criticism, comparison, and self-judgment.
Decolonization: In this context, decolonization likely refers to the process of unlearning and dismantling the cultural, psychological, and social impacts of colonization. Colonization has historically imposed foreign cultural norms, beliefs, and values on indigenous populations, often leading to the erasure of their own traditions and identities. Decolonization involves reclaiming one's heritage, cultural practices, and values while challenging the dominance of colonial ideologies.
Un-Learning Shame: This implies recognizing and challenging the shame that has been imposed on individuals and communities due to societal expectations, cultural norms, and historical influences. It involves acknowledging that these feelings of shame are often unjustified and counterproductive, and working towards releasing them.
Bodies, Worth, Sexuality, and the Erotic: These areas encompass various facets of human experience that are often heavily influenced by societal norms and biases. Reclaiming these aspects involves embracing the diverse expressions of bodies, acknowledging inherent worth regardless of external factors, celebrating and exploring healthy sexuality, and embracing the beauty and power of the erotic.
Overall, Primal Embodiment seems to encourage individuals to reconnect with their authentic selves, challenge harmful narratives, and engage in a holistic and liberating journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It is a movement that seeks to empower people to live fully and authentically while addressing the historical and contemporary impacts of colonization on self-perception and identity.
Focusing on Pleasure: Prioritizing pleasure means embracing activities, experiences, and sensations that bring us joy, satisfaction, and a sense of well-being. This can range from simple daily pleasures like savoring a delicious meal, engaging in creative activities, spending time in nature, or engaging in intimate and sensual experiences. By consciously seeking out and allowing pleasure in our lives, we counteract the notion that our bodies and desires are sources of shame or guilt.
Listening to Our Bodies: Our bodies are constantly communicating with us through sensations, emotions, and intuitive feelings. Paying attention to these cues allows us to tap into our body's wisdom and needs. This involves mindfulness and self-awareness, tuning in to signals of comfort, discomfort, desire, and satisfaction. By listening to our bodies, we become better attuned to what nourishes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Re-Writing Our Body's Story: Many people carry narratives about their bodies that have been shaped by societal pressures, cultural expectations, and personal experiences. These narratives can be negative, critical, or limiting. By focusing on pleasure and actively listening to our bodies, we challenge and reframe these narratives. We create new stories that are rooted in self-love, acceptance, and empowerment. This process allows us to shift our perspective from self-criticism to self-compassion, leading to a more positive and authentic relationship with our bodies.
In the context of Primal Embodiment and the principles of radical self-love and decolonization, this practice becomes even more profound. It's about reclaiming agency over our bodies and desires, and rejecting external influences that seek to control or dictate how we should feel about ourselves.
Ultimately, re-writing our body's story through pleasure and self-listening contributes to a deeper connection with our authentic selves, fostering a sense of empowerment, confidence, and wholeness.
Absolutely, embracing sensual and erotic practices as a form of rebellion and healing can be a liberating and transformative experience. Here's how these practices tie into the themes of healing, rebellion, and empowerment:
Healing: Engaging in sensual and erotic practices can be deeply healing, especially when viewed through the lens of self-love and acceptance. These practices encourage individuals to reconnect with their bodies in ways that prioritize pleasure, positive sensations, and self-affirmation. By shifting the focus away from shame and fear, individuals can gradually heal from the wounds inflicted by societal norms, past traumas, and negative self-perceptions.
Rebellion: Embracing sensual and erotic practices can be an act of rebellion against societal norms and systems that seek to control and shame individuals, particularly in relation to their bodies and sexuality. By choosing to celebrate and explore one's sensuality and eroticism, individuals challenge the rigid standards and oppressive expectations that have been imposed upon them. This rebellion is a powerful way to reclaim agency and autonomy over one's body and desires.
Inclusivity and Worthy of Love: The assertion that "All Bodies are worthy of love and pleasure" is a revolutionary statement that defies the narrow beauty standards and exclusivity often perpetuated by society. Sensual and erotic practices that promote inclusivity and diversity create spaces where people of all body types, gender identities, and backgrounds can feel affirmed and celebrated. This can lead to a sense of belonging, self-acceptance, and shared empowerment.
Joyful and Powerful Practice: Approaching sensual and erotic practices with joy and empowerment can reshape the narrative surrounding these experiences. Instead of associating these practices with shame or taboo, they become avenues for personal growth, self-expression, and connection. This shift in perspective can lead to positive emotional and psychological effects, contributing to a sense of overall well-being.
In the context of Primal Embodiment, the incorporation of sensual and erotic dance/embodiment aligns with the movement's principles of radical self-love and decolonization. It involves rejecting harmful messages, reclaiming one's body, and creating spaces that foster healing, rebellion, and celebration of diverse experiences.
By engaging in these practices, individuals can actively participate in their own transformation, challenging oppressive structures, and rewriting their personal narratives towards empowerment and authenticity.
Your commitment to creating inclusive and empowering spaces for a diverse range of bodies is truly commendable. This dedication aligns with the principles of social justice, equity, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, identities, or physical attributes. Here are a few key points about the significance and impact of your commitment:
Representation and Visibility: By intentionally creating spaces where individuals with diverse bodies feel seen and represented, you are challenging the dominant narratives that prioritize certain body types while marginalizing others. Representation matters because it validates people's experiences and identities, contributing to a greater sense of belonging and self-worth.
Respect and Dignity: Your commitment to respecting and celebrating diverse bodies is a rejection of the harmful and discriminatory practices that have historically perpetuated stigma and exclusion. This approach promotes an environment where everyone's inherent worth is acknowledged and upheld, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
Love and Celebration: When individuals from marginalized or underrepresented groups have the opportunity to be loved, celebrated, and respected for who they are, it can have a profound positive impact on their well-being. Affirming their worth through positive experiences and interactions can contribute to improved self-esteem, mental health, and overall life satisfaction.
Intersectionality: It's important to recognize and address the intersections of identity, as individuals may belong to multiple marginalized groups simultaneously. For instance, someone may identify as both LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC, or as a fat and disabled person. Creating spaces that honor these intersections ensures that everyone's unique experiences and challenges are acknowledged and addressed.
Social Change: Your commitment contributes to broader social change by challenging systemic biases and dismantling oppressive structures. By actively working to counteract discrimination and inequality, you are participating in a larger movement toward a more just and inclusive society.
Incorporating these principles into your work can help foster an environment where everyone feels empowered, valued, and celebrated. By centering the experiences of those who have been historically marginalized, you're contributing to a more equitable and compassionate world.
Creating offerings for low-income individuals is a wonderful initiative that can have a positive impact on accessibility, inclusivity, and community well-being. Here are some considerations and strategies as we develop these offerings:
Affordability: Ensure that the cost of offerings is genuinely affordable for individuals with low incomes. We consider flexible pricing options, sliding scales, or pay-what-you-can models to accommodate different financial situations.
Value: While offering lower-priced options, maintain the value and quality of your offerings. It's important that all participants receive meaningful experiences and benefits from their engagement.
Flexibility: Consider offering a variety of formats, such as online classes, workshops, or downloadable resources. This allows individuals to choose the format that best suits their preferences and circumstances.
Accessibility: Make sure that your offerings are accessible to people with different abilities. This includes providing captions for videos, offering materials in various formats (e.g., audio or text), and ensuring that your content is compatible with assistive technologies.
Community Building: Use your offerings as opportunities to foster a sense of community among participants. Create spaces where people can connect, share their experiences, and support one another.
Education and Skill Building: Provide resources and tools that empower participants to improve their well-being, whether it's through mental health resources, self-care techniques, or skill-building workshops.
Feedback Loop: Maintain an open line of communication with participants. Encourage feedback and suggestions to continuously improve your offerings and ensure they meet the needs of the community.
Collaborations: Consider collaborating with local organizations, community centers, or social service agencies that specialize in supporting low-income individuals. This can help you reach a wider audience and ensure that your offerings are effectively reaching those who can benefit from them.
Transparency: Clearly communicate intentions and efforts to create offerings that are accessible to low-income individuals. This transparency can build trust and show your commitment to inclusivity.
Promotion: Utilize various channels to promote and offers, base incentive program, including community spaces, social media, local networks, and word of mouth. Make sure the information reaches those who could benefit from it.
By providing offerings that cater to low-income individuals, you're contributing to the well-being and empowerment of a wider range of people. Your efforts have the potential to make a meaningful difference in their lives and help create a more equitable and inclusive community.
(Not sure if I should put this in about us?)
Primal Embodiment is rooted is radical self love and decolonisation. We are un-learning the shame that have been told to us about our bodies, our worth, our sexuality, and the erotic. When we focus on pleasure, when we listen in, when we allow our bodies to tell us what they want and need, we begin to re-write our body’s story. We begin to heal and rebel…rebel against the people and systems that keep us locked in shame and fear. Here, Sensual/Erotic dance/embodiment is a joyful and powerful practice where All Bodies are worthy of love and pleasure. I am committed to creating space where womxn’s bodies, fat bodies, disabled bodies, BIPOC bodies, LGBTQIA+ bodies feel seen, respected, loved up and celebrated!
I am currently creating some offerings for low income folks. (I need to write more here)