The Esalen Somatics Study Group

Since 1987, as part of Esalen's larger Center for Theory and Research, I have been gathering small groups of scholars, scientists, and practitioners of transformative body practices (the martial arts, bodywork like Feldenkrais and Rolfing, breathing- and movement-awareness methods, etc.). Our aims have been to refine such practices; to articulate how they relate to our understanding of spirituality, education, and community-building; and what helpful reciprocities are possible between these studies and the biomedical sciences.Our last meeting took place this May. I will be posting highlights of its results on my blog. Some of the themes that emerged include:

• the impact of a sense of place on consciousness;
• a holistic understanding of the nature of autism and its treatment;
• how more effectively to address some of the major issues of the world that relate to our work of nurturing the importance of the body: political and personal violence; racism; degradation of the environment.