Mind, Body and Spirit Methodology
When we work with organizations to create fundamental social change, it isn't some dry, academic exercise. We look at the whole person who is being transformed through this work.
What that--looking at the whole person--means in practice, is that it isn't all work at all.
In our workshops, we include wellness practices like singing, dancing, meditation and Capacitar techniques, including Tai Chi and other relaxation exercises (always making sure that activities are appropriate to the religious and cultural context). These practices help resource-poor communities reduce the natural anxiety and stress caused by war, high levels of poverty, illness due to HIV and AIDS and many forms of violence. They also open people to better understand their own selves, and open them to others, building tolerance, trust, acceptance and forgiveness. As a result, our peer-learning workshops benefit from an atmosphere of hope, enthusiasm, mutual respect and generosity--even in situations of extreme trauma and conflict.
What we hear from the people we work with is that this "mind, body and spirit" approach makes all the difference. And when the lives of individual participants are transformed, the effect ripples out to other sites as well, such as the home or other community settings.
". . . when I arrived in Dire Dawe I was angry and I couldn't concentrate – after the 'sports' I was calm. I have done it ever since then. Not only for me, but for my family and community – that is so helpful." (PACE Program Participant)
"I appreciate the Tai Chi exercise. It helps me to centre, be calm when I am stressed out. When I came on the first day I was stressed but through the Tai Chi I was able to calm down and become more relaxed." (South Africa Program Participant)
Benefits of mind, body and spirit practice
- Creates a safe space in which everyone can challenge their own roles, assumptions and behaviours
- Opens people to themselves and others, building tolerance, trust, acceptance and forgiveness
- Enables women to value themselves, helps them see how they have internalized gender roles, and opens them to the possibilities of their own self-empowerment
- People who have been abused begin to reconnect to their bodies, and begin to accept appropriate touch from people who touch in a safe, respectful way
- Helps build groups/teams as this embodied approach centres individuals, easing tensions within each person and, as a result, between people, thus creating a comfortable space in which everyone can focus on building stronger, more powerful organizations
Coming soon: a detailed description of our methodology at the Learning Centre
