FLUID FEMINISM: Redefining Strength and Power

“Water is fluid, soft and yielding.

But water will wear away rock which is rigid and cannot yield.

As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard.

That is another paradox: what is soft is strong.”

- Lao Tzu

According to Ayurvedic wisdom, when the five elements of nature – earth, water, fire, air, and space/ether – are in balance, we live in harmony and health. Dis-harmony and dis-ease happened when the elements are out of balance. This imbalance is currently present in both our ecological and socio-political systems - it has been present for a really long time.

The two elements that are the most obviously out of balance are the elements of fire (associated with the masculine, sun, yang/active energy) and water (associated with the feminine, moon, yin/passive energy). In the natural world, this imbalance is apparent in the recent fires we’ve seen raging across Amazon, California and Australia, while water element is presently our most scarce natural resource.

In patriarchal capitalist-based cultures, power and strength are often associated with violence, aggression/rage, production and affluence, domination and control of another – all of which are characteristics of the excess fire. Even the early feminist movement has fallen into the trap of conforming to this idea of power and, as a result, continued to support patriarchy, capitalism and white supremacy. Softness, flow, gentleness, and creativity, some of the attributes associated with the element of water, are still under-appreciated, seen as weak or unnecessary.

Fluid Feminism: Redefining Strength and Power workshop aims to explore ways we can redefine rigid, patriarchal, and capitalistic views of strength and power by softening and embodying more water-like qualities in our lives, relationships, and systems so we can restore balance, harmony, and health.

This 2-hour experiential, integrative workshop includes the following:

- Somatic/movement-based practice inspired by the jala/water element

- Embodied inquiry, self-reflection, and creative expression

- A short lecture on jala/water element and Svadhisthana chakra with an explanation on how they show up in our individual, relational and collective lives

- Suggestions and daily-practices for the integration of water-like qualities into our daily routine

- Short restorative practice inspired by the water element

Materials needed:

- A computer/laptop and a good internet connection

- A journal/art supplies (whatever you have at home)

- Comfortable clothing that will allow you to move freely

- A quiet space

- You may wish to have a blanket, a bolster, and a few blocks handy for restorative practice. If you don’t have the props, you can substitute a bolster with a sturdy pillow or sofa cushions and blocks with a few books (dictionaries make great blocks! ;))

Mode of instruction: 

via Zoom (the link will be provided prior to the workshop)

Price: 

Sliding scale $20 - $45

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop will NOT be recorded in order to ensure physical, mental, and emotional presence and to preserve the privacy of the participants.