Preamble: Somatic Mindfulness is a living practice, rooted in presence and shared humanity. This manifesto reflects the principles I steward in the teaching, practice, and evolution of the work. It offers a compass for those who teach, assist, support, or simply carry Somatic Mindfulness into the world.
⸻
1. I believe that presence is more powerful than performance. The work is not about impressing others. It’s about being here—fully, honestly, and with attuned care. In this presence, healing begins.
2. I am committed to creating experiences that are softer, slower, smaller, and still. The world pushes for bigger, louder, and faster. I choose the opposite—not as rebellion, but as medicine.
3. The body is wise, and my role is to listen, not override. I do not impose change. I create conditions where the body remembers its own intelligence.
4. I scale not by diluting, but by cultivating depth and resonance. Growth isn’t about numbers—it’s about the meaningful integration of this work into people’s lives and practices. I welcome those who find something here that calls to them, and I honor the diversity of how they may express it.
5. I honor the culture of care and co-creation. This is not a doctrine—it’s a living practice. Those who teach or represent Somatic Mindfulness are not expected to replicate me, but to embody the values of presence, humility, and curiosity. In this classroom, we do not correct each other or assert authority through debate. This is not a space for being right or proving knowledge—it is a space for shared exploration. Motivation arises from inspiration, not from consequence or correction. The way this work is taught matters as much as what is taught. Our stance is simple, but radical: “I’m here, I’m interested.”
6. I value spaciousness over grind. I do not hustle for my worth. I build a rhythm of work and rest that reflects what I teach. Scarcity and burnout are not sustainable foundations for generosity or depth.
7. I trust that the ripple effect is real. Every class, every workshop, every moment of shared presence extends beyond what I can measure. I stay rooted in the work and let its impact unfold.
8. I grow with discernment. Opportunities are only invitations—only some are meant for me. I say no with as much care as I say yes.
9. Knowledge is free. The wisdom we touch in Somatic Mindfulness—the body’s remembering, the truth of presence—belongs to everyone. It is not owned. I welcome financial support not as a measure of worth, but as a way to sustain the offering—to nourish the time, care, and life energy it takes to hold this space for others.
10. My purpose is not a fixed point. It’s a path walked in presence. I do not need to arrive anywhere. I only need to keep returning—to the body, to the breath, to what is real right now.
⸻