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 deepen my breath, release physical tension, and soothe anxiety. I drop into a state of complete presence. One of my favorite activities is having a friend over to lay in my bed and read side-by-side, physically smooshed a little bit together. This is why I offer this kind of touch and connection with others.
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 playfully spiritual human.
My spirituality is practiced and nurtured in relationships, nature, solitude, and while being in service to my local community. It helps me to embrace paradox and remain a perpetual novice.
While my spirituality does not explicitly show up in my sessions. The spiritual virtues of social justice, compassion, and integrity are central to my work and life. I love working with people of all belief systems, identities, and experiences.
Trained on the ground, not in academics
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 and staying closely attuned to their feedback and body language, I learned about healing trauma and protecting one’s nervous system from the carnage of 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 800 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, co-regulation, and friendship.
Some of the other ways I’ve been schooled
My offerings are influenced by these experiences, people and organizations
Cuddlist Certification in Professional 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
2.5 years studying yoga in India and a 200 hr yoga teacher training certification
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 as Program Director of Yoga Behind Bars
Psychedelic Doula Training with Angela Ward
One year of graduate school in counseling (I have no intention of finishing but did learn a lot of good communication skills)
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 two six month long giving projects with Social Justice Fund Northwest
Deep dives and reclaiming voice worships with Holistic Resistance
Training with the People Institute for Survival and Beyond, Cultures Connecting and facilitating anti-racism courses for the Montana Racial Equity Project and The Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites
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