Shodhini at QPOCC Fullerton 2013

QPOCC Queer People of Color Conference

April 6th Saturday at Cal State Fullerton. 2p.
This is the 3rd year I have been invited to present the workshop "Igniting the Revolution Within- A Sex-Positive Approach to Healing". I am honored to be presenting alongside Hala Dillsi, a junior high school teacher and Shodhini Institute Graduate.  The following is the description of the presentation: We will review anatomy from a feminist perspective, demystifying genitalia, approaching it from an empowering way that doesn’t narrowly bind

gender to genitalia, we will connect sexuality to spirituality with a celebration of queer pleasure. Participants will learn somatic exercises (anal breathing) to help awaken the pelvic floor, thus dispelling sexual shame, promoting physical health and decolonization of the body. Participants will also be taught a an indigenous practice named Heart Pleasuring, to aid in creating a genital-heart connection, designed to remove negative programming. The breathing exercises are methods of using the body as a resource, tools to ground oneself and cultivate self-love, useful in combating internalized homophobia. This is relevant to the conference in that QTPOC participants will be given an opportunity to incorporate radical and revolutionary rhetoric with an indigenous sexual practice; ultimately connecting the mind with body and spirit, igniting change on a cellular level.

Absolutely a labor of love, I make time to present in unique spaces and to the youth in order to disseminate information that might not otherwise be presented in academia or queer spaces. It is inherent to any revolution that folks be given opportunities to resource their own bodies as a means to stay centered and embodied as they move through the world. Just the gesture of deeper breathing is one that almost every human alive can achieve if given the suggestion. This is what we hope to serve up to our wonderful audience this weekend.