Belonging is within reach
Belonging Building Blocks
A virtual 6-week somatic practice course to help you build more satisfying connections and feel a sense of belonging from the inside-out​​​​​​
​​​Spring Cohort for Mixed/Multiracial Women, Femmes, and Gender Expansive Folks
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Sundays March 30 - May 11
[with a break April 20]
1-3pm ET / 10am-12pm PT
Sliding scale $150-310 (click here for info on how to choose your rate)
Our bodies naturally orient toward connection.
We are relational creatures who have survived because of our connections with each other, after all.
Despite this, belonging feels out of reach for many people. In fact, for many, it's the insecurity underlying all their other struggles. So, if you've struggled with feeling like you belong somewhere you should know - you're not alone!
The stress of living in a disconnected world complicates things. We are busy with work, traumatized by oppressions, and unpracticed in healthy relationships. In response to feeling wounded by relationships or starving for connection, our bodies adopt protective strategies to keep us going, get our needs met, or at least to keep things from getting worse.​​​​
Society often has a lot to say about these protective patterns. We might be praised for being “easy” or “not taking things personally.” We might be criticized for “being sensitive” or “clingy.” Others might come to rely on us for our people-pleasing tendencies. We might be called “entitled” or “narcissistic.”
The outside comments can keep us preoccupied or overwhelmed by what others expect of us. It's not bad to want others to like you, but when you feel like you're lacking connection, intimacy, or a sense of belonging it can be really tempting to overanalyze what’s “wrong” with you or other people. It’s also understandable to want to completely check out to avoid the pain of your loneliness.
But that means not only are we disconnected from other people - we're disconnected from ourselves.​​
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Your relationship with your body is a portal to feeling more connected to other people and more satisfied in those connections.
When you repair your relationship with your body, you can start to understand what stories your body is telling about your experiences with connection and belonging. You'll begin to discover how your body is protecting you. In doing so, you can become a compassionate witness, holding space for yourself in the way you've always longed for.
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It's not about fixing what's wrong with you. It's about supporting your body in the way it's always needed and deserved. It's about validating the ways it's been trying to keep you safe and helping it discern when you are safe enough to try new approaches.
It's about building trust between you and your body.
When you trust yourself, you can feel more confident taking risks and being vulnerable. You can receive and extend care more comfortably. Your potential for experiencing satisfying relationships will feel less scarce. You will know what feels aligned and what doesn't.
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It's about feeling like an active and empowered agent in cultivating belonging instead of feeling stuck on the sidelines waiting to get called in.​
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We all need something good to belong to right now. Somewhere we feel accepted. Somewhere we are cared for and protected. A safe haven. A secure base from which to build power toward our visions of liberation.
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Belonging Building Blocks is a trauma & attachment-informed somatic course to help you build more satisfying connections rooted in mutual dignity, and feel an unwavering sense of belonging from the inside-out.
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IN BELONGING BUILDING BLOCKS, YOU WILL:
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Learn about the belonging wound and stop blaming yourself.
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Cultivate inner belonging by repairing the relationship between your mind and body.
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Understand who you are and what stories your body holds about connection.
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Learn how to relate to others, whether extending care or navigating conflict, from a place of mutual dignity.
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Get more comfortable with taking risks in service of what you long for.
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Find purpose in shaping what belonging looks and feels like and who has access to it. Become the belonging you desire.
Space is limited - Save your spot!
There will be up to 12 people total in each cohort.
Sliding scale $150-310 (click here for info on how to choose your rate)
Program at a Glance
Each session will begin with a grounding practice and a check-in, followed by somatic practice and debrief. You will receive prompts for reflection and optional home practices.
Week 1
Belonging & The Body
Learn about belonging wounding and how to cultivate a reparative relationship with your own body through somatic attunement.
Week 4
Expressing Curiosity & Desire
Get more comfortable with the risks involved in expressing curiosity and desire while feeling connected to your roots.
Week 2
Finding Your Roots
Identify people, places, and other things where you can feel rooted and held. Practice feeling into and receiving support.
Week 5
Building Intimacy
Sense into what satisfying connection feels like. Expand your capacity for receiving and providing care.
Week 3
Embodying Dignity
Get clear on who you are. Gain a sense of dignity and bodily sovereignty through mindful strength-building practices.
Week 6
Practicing Complexity
Use your new skills and resources to feel more comfortable with liminality and the complexity of relationships. Learn how to discern between relational misattunements and harm.
Selecting Your Investment
Please take this short questionnaire to help determine your investment:
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Are you and your family homeowners or landowners?
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Have you attended private education institutions or do you have an advanced degree?
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Are your bills or credit cards on autopay?
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Have you not had difficulty accessing and affording healthcare or health insurance for you or your family members?
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Do you have zero to no debt and/or do you have disposable income?
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Do you have a safety net composed of “financially stable” or wealthy family and friends?
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Did you experience early life abundance and are now only experiencing “temporary scarcity”?
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Are you able-bodied?
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Do you have U.S. Citizenship?
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Does your income only support you, and not other loved ones?
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Have you or do you expect to inherit money or property?
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Have you (or could you) have attended college and/or graduate school?
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Sliding Scale Rates based on your answers to the questions:
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If you answered all no → Reparation rate ($150)
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If you answered almost all no → Solidarity rate ($190)
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If you answered more no than yes → Sustain rate ($230)
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If you answered more yes than no → Full Cost rate ($270)
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If you answered almost all yes → Redistribution rate ($310)
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If you have access to organizational support, please pay at the sustain rate and up.
Signs BBB is right for you:
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You long to feel a sense of belonging (or a deeper sense of it) with other people​
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You are drawn to getting to know yourself and understanding your shaping
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Feeling at home in your own body sounds...interesting
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You're looking to skill-up relationally​
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You want to feel more clear on your own purpose in this world
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​You have some basic skills in taking care of yourself should you feel overwhelmed during our sessions
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You're looking for more of a group talk therapy vibe - We will talk and process, but we will also be doing experiential somatic exercises
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You can't attend most of the sessions - This is relational work and half of the impact is doing it together
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You aren't sure if it will feel emotionally safe for your body - you can always schedule a consultation with me first to determine if this group is right for you​​
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You're looking for a quick fix - these are skills and resources that will continue to grow beyond our sessions
BBB might not be the best fit if:
Answers to FAQs
How do I know if BBB is right for me?
To make the most of this program and to ensure a safe and supportive experience for everyone, it is recommended that participants have some previous experience with somatic/nervous system healing either 1:1 or in a group, and can recognize signs of nervous system activation. I also highly recommend you have support for processing and integrating what comes up during the sessions. If you aren't sure if BBB is right for you, please feel free to reach out directly to me (raina@roottorisesomatics.com)
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Do I need to attend live?
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The series will be recorded but I ask that you do not sign up if you cannot attend all or most sessions live.
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Do I need to be on camera?
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I will ask that we all have our cameras turned on, but there will be times when you are more than welcome to be off camera so that you don't feel too "perceived" :)
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How many people will be in each group?
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12 people maximum. The program will not run if there are less than 5 participants.
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​Will you be offering BBB again?
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Yes, I plan to offer at least 3 cohorts of BBB per year, primarily for mixed race folks but I will throw in cohorts here and there that are open to all identities.
Meet Your Guide
Hi, I'm Raina (she/her)
I’m a somatic therapist specializing in racial identity, trauma, relationships and belonging.
We all possess an innate capacity for fulfilling connection.
My training (and work with clients like you) has proven this to be possible when you have the right support, skills, and feel safe enough to explore and own what you want and need.
I’m honored to share with you this somatic practice series on connection and belonging.
