About JoJo Phoenix
Attuned touch is my most fluent language
Co-regulating platonic touch is one of the biggest refuges in my life. It is the most easeful way for me to drop into a state of complete and utter presence. It is the most effortless way for me to deepen my breath, release physical tension, and soothe anxiety. One of my favorite activities is having a friend over to lay in my bed with me and read our own books side-by-side, physically smooshed a little bit together.
It wasn’t always like this. For a long time, I ached for physical closeness with others, but didn’t know how to get this outside of sexual relationships. I was so lucky to find contact improvisation and discover an entire world of consensual, attuned, platonic touch that met so many of my needs.
I learned how to set exquisitely clear boundaries and how to touch people in deeply nourishing ways. Now, consensual tender touch is infused into almost all of my relationships.
I am also proud to be queer, non-binary, neurodivergent, and a highly spiritual human.
To elaborate on being spiritual: I am a mid-life bloomer into living a life of devotional spiritual practice. It is one of the most important things in my life. You can read more about my journey here.
While my spirituality does not explicitly show up in my work with all people, the virtues of social justice, compassion, grace, and integrity are central to my work and life.
Trained by relationships
Since 2009, I’ve offered body-based therapeutic services to people impacted by the US incarceration system, many in acute crisis. And although I’ve done training and read plenty of books by clinicians, no one has taught me more about how to hold space and support others than the people I’ve worked with.
By supporting them, I learned about trauma and oppression.
Then, in 2016, as Program Director of Yoga Behind Bars, I began collaborating with incarcerated leaders. Together we developed trauma-informed classes and trained over 700 of body-based practitioners, prison staff, and community members on trauma-informed yoga facilitation and social justice.
Through these relationships and working together, I learned about about the healing power of community.
Some of the other ways I’ve been schooled
My offerings are influenced by these experiences, people and organizations
Cuddlist Certification in Cuddle / Platonic Touch Therapy
Touch professional “Like a Pro” training with Betty Martin and the School of Consent
Rhythm of Regulation: Polyvagal Theory in Therapy training with Deb Dana
A wild 2.5 years studying yoga and managing a social entrepreneurship fellowship program in Hyderabad, India
Hundred of hours of training in and teaching contact improvisation
Teaching over a thousand hours of trauma-informed embodiment classes in incarceration settings and getting constant feedback from participants while working at Yoga Behind Bars
Psychedelic Doula Training with Angela Ward
One year of graduate school in counseling
Getting schooled in social justice and liberation:
Working on intimate multi-racial teams at University Beyond Bars, Yoga Behind Bars, and The Bail Project
Grassroots Fundraising through giving projects with Social Justice Fund Northwest
Deep dives and reclaiming voice with Holistic Resistance
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