Somatic Writing Workshop

Join us for a Somatic Writing Workshop with poet, spoken word artist, playwright, and somatic psychotherapist, Mercedes Baines. Somatics refers to a practice of listening to and dialoguing with the body (which includes the mind and imagination), allowing us to be present with ourselves.

As local and global injustices continue, our bodies also continues to process, reflect, and protect. Embodied practices like somatic writing can create a space for grounding, connection, and attuned creative expression. Our bodies are a rich and prolific source of inspiration – Images, memories, dreams, and metaphors are within and tapping into them can build our capacity to see ourselves and each other with deep care and empathy.

Resmaa Menakem says, “The body, not the thinking brain, is where we experience most of our pain, pleasure, and joy, and where we process most of what happens to us. It is also where we do most of our healing, including our emotional and psychological healing. And it is where we experience resilience and a sense of flow.”

Whether you are a seasoned writer or this is your first time participating in this type of workshop, you are welcome to join us for an evening of sensory, celebratory & sacred expressions. You will be invited to engage with breath awareness, mindfulness, visualization, memory, dreams, sound, drawing, gentle movement all to foster a deeper attunement to the flow of images and ideas that are already within you and waiting for you to express.

More about our facilitator, Mercedes:

Mercedes Baines (MA, RCC, CCC, CAC) (she/her) is a poet, spoken word artist, playwright, performer & somatic psychotherapist, facilitator, instructor and consultant in private practice – Mind In Body. She identifies as a multi-racial, fat-bodied, queer-adjacent, cis-gendered woman who is a trauma survivor and lives with chronic illnesses. Her work in the performing arts (SFU School for Contemporary Arts), her training in somatic trauma healing (Somatic Experiencing) and Adlerian Therapy (Adler University), influences her approach to psychotherapy & her understanding of the healing and the creative processes. She is passionate about exploring ways to inhabit both the healing & creative processes in ways that are collaborative, embodied & integrated. Her themes of creative practice include: intersection of race & sexuality; identity & race politics; eroticism & sensuality; body image; fantasy; gender identity; intimate relationships & trauma. Her areas of psychotherapy practice include: body image; trauma; living with a life-altering (chronic)/life-threatening illness; disordered eating; depression; anxiety; grief and loss; identity; sexuality and issues related to race and culture.

This event takes place in our Literary Lounge at 712 A 12th Street, in so called new west – the stolen and occupied territories of the Halq’eméylem speaking peoples.

Please register on our website : https://wildfiresbookshop.com/events/49928