Ayo’s Somatic Network
We are birthing a new world and new possibilities. The systems that have governed us are breaking down, including the ways of being that many of us have learned to survive. The intensity of this time is especially felt in our Indigenous, Black, and melanated communities, and as leaders and care workers we have a unique perspective. We know that the dominant power structures and systems cannot support us in actualizing a future where we are truly free.
In response to this, I’ve created a space for Indigenous, Black, and melanated changemakers to uplift and support one another, share skills, resources, and opportunities with other Indigenous, Black, and melanated people who want to learn, grow, interrupt trauma patterns, change habits, and create more possibilities for connection as alternatives to the world as it is.
What is Ayo’s Somatic Network?
This online and in person community space/platform is for Indigenous, Black, and melanated changemakers - healers, leaders, activists, organizers, care workers, and teachers - to come together and support each other's healing, growth, and transformation. We practice body-based healing techniques, meditations, and self awareness skills so we can more deeply embody the world we want to see individually and collectively. During our in person and online events we cover topics such as transformation and habits change, boundaries, being an empath, leadership, projection, transference and blame, self regulation, somatic awareness, and more.
Join us for our upcoming events:
Weekly Somatic Practice Lives!
Every Monday - 9 - 9:20AM | Live on Network Home Page
NEW WEEKLY PRACTICE SPACE! Tune in to the Ayo's Somatic Network home page for a weekly live! Together we will practice self regulation and resourcing techniques to help us ground, center, and mitigate stress and burnout throughout the week. See you there!
Somatic Astrology w/ Aziz
Friday, November 8th - 5-6:30pm | In-person
Join Somatic Practitioner and network member, Aziz Bisanz, for an in person monthly exploration of somatics and astrology! Learn about the astrology reading for the upcoming month, process what's up from the last month, and learn somatic practices to support you as you reflect and prepare for the weeks ahead! This month we will be diving into the sign of Scorpio and the somatic practices that may offer support and healing to us during Scorpio season.
This event will be FREE for members and open to nonmembers for a sliding scale of $10-$30, with a suggested donation of $20.
Seasonal Herbal Remedies with rowan emmanuel
Fall 2024 | In-person
Come together, share and learn about herbal remedies to support you through seasonal transitions. Full-spectrum support companion, herbalist, cranio-sacral practitioner, and co-director of Spiral Collective, rowan emmanuel (they/them) will be guiding us in conversation and practice as we connect with plants to support us in the seasons transition through Fall.
Quarterly Member Gathering & Tea Ceremony
Fall 2024 | In-person
Join us for our quarterly member gathering and tea ceremony! This sweet, heartfelt, intimate space is a great way to meet other amazing network members, build relationships, connect with the sacred, and deepen our mindfulness practice with a Tea Ceremony. Our very own network member, mindfulness practitioner, musician, and owner of Avivage Massage, Tai Burgos, will be hosting us. Come as you are, leave feeling refreshed, grounded, and connected. Hope to see you there!
Our community offers spaces and courses like:
14 Days of Space - A Journey Into Peace
Challenge begins Monday September 30th! | Network Home Page
This challenge is designed to aid your daily self care routine, and orient towards peace and relaxation, with exercises to help ground, center, and settle your nervous system - every day for 14 days. To support you in this, you will be offered prompts, meditations, and reminders to give yourself the space and peace you seek.
Bonus - Complete the challenge to win a calendar from RLM Art Studio and a curated rest playlist from KRSM's Drunken Monkeee!!!
Breath, Boundaries, and Healing Touch
Available anytime on Ayo’s Somatic Network
Join this 4 part practice class where you learn body-based meditations designed to settle your nervous system, build breath awareness skills, and support you in your boundaries practice. This self paced class also includes a technique to support you with conflict resolution. Available on the Ayo’s Somatic Network member platform.
Join us for the next cohort and learning opportunity:
Somatic Realignment:
Attuning to Self & Relationships In A New Paradigm
October 20 2024- January 19 2025
Join us for this 12 week cohort focused on supporting our alignment as Indigenous, Black, and melanated changemakers. This is a continuation and deepening of topics shared in last year's Wisdom and Healing Circle Series, whose curriculum was co-designed with Aurora Levins Morales. We will explore self care, ancestry, the nature of healing, trauma, and its role in our spiritual growth and evolution; trust and relationships, and more. Together we will support one another as we learn and practice new ways to witness, hold, and care for ourselves and each other. Sessions will be held Sundays 11am to 1pm on zoom.
*This cohort is available to non members and members alike! For more info and to sign up click here: Somatic Realignment Cohort
Past events include:
New Years w/ Autumn Brown
Saturday, January 20 - 2:30pm
We are excited to be working with Autumn Brown to create a special event just for our amazing melanated changemakers! Autumn is a writer, facilitator, mother, theologen, artist, organizer and co-host of the podcast: How to Survive the End of the World). Come get loved on and aligned as we move into the new year at this special event you won't want to miss!
Quarter Moon Ceremony
Featured Guest: Mankwe Ndosi
Monday, Dec 18th - 6:00 - 7:30pm
Join us for the Ayo's Somatic Network relaunch event! As we approach the winter solstice, the first quarter moon is an opportunity to make decisions, take action, and commit. This event is an invitation to recommit to yourself - your vision, your dreams, and your practices of renewal. And it's an opportunity to learn about the network, connect with other network members, and hear about what's to come in the year ahead.
Our featured guest - cultural worker, artist, performer, and network member - Mankwe Ndosi, will bless us with practices for rejuvenation. Come and meet other like minded Indigenous, Black, and Melanated changemakers, to deepen our alignment, vision, and commitment to ourselves and our communities. Our gathering will be held on the Ayo's Somatic Network member platform via zoom.
Ayo's Somatic Network - New Moon Celebration
Featured Guest: Junauda Petrus-Nasah
November 23 7-8pm
Join creative activist, writer, playwright, and multidimensional performance artist Junauda Petrus-Nasah for this members only kick off event for the new Ayo's Somatic Network! This ceremonial space will include music, poetry, and a new moon meditation to begin the start of our journey together. Meet other like minded black, brown, and indigenous changemakers, and deepen your alignment, vision and commitment to create the world we want to see collectively. Our gathering will be held on the Ayo's Somatic Network member platform via zoom.
To Join
Want to join Ayo's Somatic Network? Visit members.ayosomatic.network or click below to learn more and sign up!
Questions? Contact Ayo at AyoSomatics@gmail.com for more info