It’s February 2022. I’ve just published a blog on restorative self-care. I share in my Founder’s corner my plans for a year of restorative self-care trips, events, and activities in 2020 after far too long of a time without a proper vacation. Then in one weekend my plans are preempted by COVID. Just like everyone else’s plans that year.

Fast forward to March 2022 when I took a trip to Florida as an attempt to make up for what I missed in 2020. Little did I know then that Restorative Self-Care would become a major focus of mine leading right up to today. Since then I’ve taken a deep dive into more ways to restoratively care better for myself and to share what I learn with you. Those of you who have worked with me have experienced orienting, something I learned from Resmaa Menakem, author of My Grandmother’s Hands.

Hi, I’m Byron Darden bringing you another edition of Leading with Purpose on Purpose. As I continue deepening my knowledge, my goal is to deepen yours. So this month and in December, I am introducing you to somatic abolitionism as a way to help you determine where some of your stress may be coming from and how to metabolize the trauma that causes that stress.

We face it every day in our lives at home and at work and given that a reported 77% of Americans alone experience physical symptoms related to stress such as fatigue, headache, upset stomach, muscle tension, and changes in our appetite, I can only imagine the impact on a global scale.

While we may not be able to avoid stress, we certainly can do our part to metabolize the trauma that leads to 2.8 million workers annually according to the United Nations Labor Agency. It is at this point in my founder’s corner when I usually end with, enjoy. Instead, I encourage you to…take note!

Let’s get started on this theme with Embodied Wellness: A Path to Holistic Well-Being

Somatic Abolitionism is an embodied philosophy—a living, breathing set of practices you can adopt to improve your life and build culture in organizations. Much like an athlete builds their strength, endurance, and agility over time, Somatic Abolitionism helps you develop the ability to remain present and active for extended periods. It emphasizes keen observation of what is truly important and valuable in life, making it more than just physical wellness; it’s a practice rooted in the body and extending deeper into the emotional, mental, and spiritual realms. All three of these are key aspects of human culture that profoundly influence how an organization develops and functions.

While the term “embodied” refers to being connected to the body, “embodiment” goes even further. It means living from the organism we identify as the body, rather than just relying on the mind to make sense of the world. By practicing embodiment, we connect with our body’s innate wisdom and experience life from a holistic perspective.

In much the same way an organization can be embodied by its members or employees. As such, the organization is an organism made up of the bodies that give it meaning, live by values, and set out to achieve a mission. It needs the heart of its people to make sense of the world it serves by drawing on collective wisdom and experience. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the origins of Somatic Abolitionism, here is a brief history:

Somatic Abolitionism was developed by Resmaa Menakem, a therapist and trauma specialist, as a response to the profound effects of racialized trauma on both individuals and communities. Menakem’s work draws from somatic therapy, a practice that emphasizes the role of the body in storing and processing trauma. The term “Somatic Abolitionism” refers to the embodied practices that work to dismantle racialized trauma stored within the body.

The origins of Somatic Abolitionism can be traced back to Menakem’s understanding of how trauma becomes decontextualized over time. He explains that trauma, when left unaddressed, can transform from an individual experience into what seems like a part of one’s personality, family traits, or even cultural identity. His work draws on the collective history of racialized oppression, noting that racial trauma has been passed down through generations, impacting bodies across cultures.

Menakem integrates practices from somatic therapy, mindfulness, and ancestral healing to form a holistic approach that goes beyond intellectual strategies. He encourages individuals to confront the discomfort and pain embedded in their bodies, advocating for repeated, communal practices to build resilience, heal trauma, and foster cultural transformation.

Somatic Abolitionism, while deeply rooted in addressing racialized trauma, offers principles that can be beneficial to a wider audience beyond our experienced racial injustices. At its core, the practice emphasizes healing trauma stored in the body, developing resilience, creating more inner spaciousness, and cultivating emotional and physical well-being. These are universal human experiences, as trauma can arise from a wide range of sources beyond racial injustice, such as personal stress, family dynamics, professional pressures, direct and indirect experiences of hate, war, crime, or even the impact of global crises.

Somatic Abolitionism can be understood as a powerful method for addressing any kind of unprocessed trauma, whether it stems from grief, loss, workplace stress, or childhood experiences. Many people experience trauma in ways that become embedded in their physical bodies—through chronic tension, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm. By focusing on embodied practices like breathwork, grounding exercises, and mindfulness, Somatic Abolitionism can help anyone process these feelings and regain a sense of balance and calm.

Moreover, the practice’s emphasis on emotional regulation, resilience-building, and holistic well-being can apply to professionals in high-stress environments, parents navigating family life, or anyone seeking to improve their overall health and organizational culture. It provides tools to manage stress more effectively, create deeper self-awareness, and enhance one’s capacity to deal with life’s challenges.

For example, someone struggling with workplace burnout can use the principles of Somatic Abolitionism to reconnect with their body, observe where they hold tension, and develop strategies for releasing that tension. These practices foster emotional intelligence, which is useful in leadership roles, personal relationships, and any situation where stress management is key.

Ready to put this into Purposeful Practice?