I begin my first practicum as a Masters student in clinical social work in January. There were a few options regarding the type and structure for the practicum, one of which is called self-directed, for those who desire to create their own structure/project with the learning goals of the practicum in mind. Being a creative and motivated individual, I chose this route as I am curious to explore and expand on a project I have been developing over the past several months in my studies. The working title for my practicum is “How to deconstruct colonialism from the inside out.” Over the course of the next several months, I intend to share my personal journey in creating this project and the formal resources that come from it. Part of that journey begins here as I sit on the threshold before the new year and share some preliminary thoughts and structure that is in place to support the process.
As a Canadian born, white-identifying, cis-gender female, I have become equally absorbed in the process of decolonization and cautiously uncertain regarding my role in engaging in this work. I recognize that decolonization is an important undertaking for populations that were and are directly colonized, and I am mindful that I do not want to center myself in an arena that is not about me. I decided on an autoethnographic project to research, experience and share a respectful path for deconstructing colonization at the individual level as an important step that supports the broader goal of decolonization in our larger systems.
Along with education and understanding of what deconstructing colonization from the inside out means and why it is important, I am playing with the idea that re-centering the heart is the embodied path to bring theory into embodied reality. We are formed in utero as heart-centered beings, born into a patriarchal colonial culture that domesticates us to prioritize cognition as the highest form of knowing. Ancient wisdom systems point us to the practice of re-centering the heart as this form of leadership is collaborative, inclusive and healing. To be heart-centered is to be right brain dominant, rather than the common left brain dominance of comparison, competition and black and white thinking. Cognition without heart-centered leadership is misguided, short-sighted, limited, and leads to imbalance and inequitable power systems. Additionally, cognition without heart-centered leadership leads to over-thinking and over-breathing as negative feedback loops, pulling us further from the intelligence that awaits within the awakened body. When we practice re-centering the heart and surrender into the rhythms of breath and movement that strengthen the neural pathways that connect heart to brain, we create the conditions necessary to feel what it is to be aligned and centered at our core.
As part of this practicum, I am honored to have five monthly workshops, starting February 24, scheduled at YogaMCC Bowness (workshops will be posted by mid January). This series will embody steps for exploration with the intent of guiding participants through education, reflection, intention, interoception, and meditation for the creation of new neural pathways that liberate us from the various perils of colonization. I decided to set up each workshop with a focus on one of the koshas, which in ancient Indian philosophy is a map for experiencing layers of our being. I subscribe to the belief that colonization resides in our tissues in various ways, like a virus that has taken hold and thrives through our inattention and unconscious allowances. With the koshas, we have a slow and methodical journey to explore how the virus of colonization has taken hold in our bodies, along with supportive guidance to let go and create a new way of being. While these workshops are created as a series, they will also stand alone so that participants do not have to attend all five for a cohesive experience.
I look forward to hearing your questions, your ponderings, your ideas and insights, as this journey is meant to be collaborative. I would love to have your participation in any way that feels good for you.