Workshop 1: Resourcing from Within- An Introduction to Somatics

Centering on Care during Crisis as Leaders Series Overview:

As leaders moving through this current political dystopia, people may be in a state of freeze (not knowing what to do and feeling stuck), fight (moving in urgent and reactive ways), flight (wanting to run from the challenges) or fawn (saying “yes” to please people and avoid conflict). This climate threatens our material reality (e.g. resources to do mission-driven work) and our physiological core and can prevent us from leading from a place of equity, and justice. How do we (better) center care for ourselves, organizational staff and communities?

It is important to recenter, check in within ourselves, and to act on the value of care. How may we tend to fear, anxiety, confusion, or hopelessness through listening to our body and be attuned internally? Through settling ourselves first like the airplane phrase, “put on your oxygen mask first before assisting others,” we can then think more clearly, strategically and thoughtfully about our work and our people. In order to lead well with care, we need to understand the causes and impacts of trauma and learn ways to hold, and serve our organization and communities through a trauma-informed lens.

Logistics: This is a 3-part workshop series where each workshop builds upon the last. It is most recommended that participants attend all three workshops in the series.

• Participants must attend workshop 1 before attending workshop 2 or 3
• Participants who attend workshop 1 are not required to attend workshops 2 and 3

WORKSHOP 1

Resourcing from Within- An Introduction to Somatics

Description

As sensing beings, we are constantly scanning for safety. In this unfolding political moment, many of us feel an overwhelming sense of fear, anxiety, and exhaustion, making it harder to stay grounded.

You may have relied on familiar coping strategies—some helpful, others less so—only to find yourself longing for a deeper sense of relief. Now, more than ever, it is essential to attune to what is emerging within us.

In this dynamic and experiential workshop, D. Farai Williams will guide you in recognizing the coping patterns you’ve embodied and introduce practical somatic practices to reset your nervous system. By resourcing from within, you can cultivate greater resilience, skillfully navigate stress, and lead with more clarity and care.

Learning Objectives

In this workshop, you will gain:

• An understanding of the intuitive wisdom of the body
• The skill of somatic awareness to purposefully regulate your nervous system
• Space to investigate what matters most to you in this time of change
• New strategies to build resilience and navigate uncertainty

Target Audience

Nonprofit leaders, and managers

After completing this workshop, participants are invited and encouraged to attend Workshop 2: Rising to the Challenge: Leading with a Trauma Inclusive Lens PART 1

About the Trainer(s)

D. Farai Williams (she/her) is a trailblazer at the intersection of embodiment, leadership, and equity. As a teacher at the Strozzi Institute for Somatics and a dynamic Somatic Muse, she brings a deep, body-centered approach to transformation. Through her work as an Embodied Equity Leadership Coach, Facilitator, and Teacher at Dynamizing Equity, Farai guides individuals and organizations toward powerful, lasting change—one breath, one movement, one breakthrough at a time.

With an unique ability to weave somatic wisdom into leadership and social justice, Farai doesn’t just teach—she ignites transformation from the inside out. Her approach helps clients:

• Feel more connected to themselves and others
• Access greater choice under pressure
• Heal traces of trauma through a body-based approach
• Communicate more effectively
• Develop and practice healthy boundaries in relationships

Farai’s work is an invitation to lead with presence, resilience, and deep alignment—rooted in the wisdom of the body.

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Arrival and Logistics

This session will be held in-person at The NonProfit Center, located at 89 South Street Boston, MA 02111. The session will be hosted on the second floor with wifi, elevators, and gender neutral bathrooms. Light breakfast will be provided in the session room beginning at 9am. The training will begin promptly at 9:30am. Please plan to arrive between 9am-9:30am so that we may get started on time.

Please email [email protected] with any questions or support needs.

Accessibility

For accessibility needs and accommodations we encourage you to sign up for trainings as early as possible. For in-person trainings we will provide a NonProfit Center Know Before You Go one pager with further details about arrival and building resources. Please email [email protected] and we will do our best to provide you with what you need!

FAQ

Join us as we present trainings on essentials issues in nonprofit management such as supervision, financial management, fundraising, communications, and more! We have trained more than 3,000 nonprofit professionals on the skills needed to take the lead in their work and their careers.

What is the refund policy?

Cancellations must be made via email at least 10 business days prior to the date of the workshop in order to receive a refund. Email [email protected] should you need to cancel your registration.

What is the maximum number of attendees from our organization that can attend a training?

We limit groups and organizations to 5 seats per training. If you would like to have more people take one of our trainings please email [email protected].

Additional Questions?

Contact us at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Better Nonprofit Management Training Series