Episode 38: Embodied Liberation

Welcome to the cypher! We took a break, and now we are back to experience the rhythm of the cypher. We want to thank our loyal listeners for your grace during these tough times. This month's pause was conducive to our overall health. Audio Nuggets is grateful to be joined by a fellow titan, dear friend, and comrade, Valerie Chafograck for Episode 38: Embodied Liberation. WE NEEDED THIS!Valerie Chafograck is an Afro-Caribbean woman born in France and moved to this country in 1990. Her love affair with dance and embodiment combined with her commitment to collective liberation fuels her radical imagination and creativity.  An embodiment facilitator, devoted to decolonizing the body and promote liberation in the body, this inspired Valerie to create Movement Liberation in 2019--a California based healing justice non-profit, blending conscious dance, somatic and social justice perspectives to curate workshops and retreats for Black bodies and bodies of culture.This conversation occurs just days after the execution of Marcellus Williams in Missouri. The episode begins with uncovering the pattern of Black annihilation, and how centering love for Black bodies will facilitate healing.The conversation deepens as Valerie describes somatic and embodiment practices for the audience, describing embodiment as love, learning to stay in the body, reclaiming the body, and nurturing the body. Valerie reminds listeners to quiet, slow down, pay attention to the parts of us that need tending and celebration, and weave mindfulness in our daily practice. Valerie shares the gifts of conscious dance on the dance floor at Movement Liberation--the importance of ritual, the beauty of being BIG and full, tapping into our born dignity, and following our ancestry for inspiration. All in a way that is unapologetic! Collective care is where it's AT!To learn more about Valerie and to experience a class or workshop, visit @ Movement Liberation (movement-liberation.com)This show is part of the SafeCamp Audio podcast network. Learn more at SafeCampAudio.org.