Somatic Primer Podcast

Joseph Houseal is founder and director of Core of Culture, a Chicago-based non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding intangible world heritage with an emphasis on endangered dance and movement traditions in the healing, meditation, and martial arts. After a decades-long international career as a dancer, choreographer, and director, including work as artistic director for singer Chaka Khan, Houseal began working with ancient Asian dance traditions and has spent the past 25 years working in cultural preservation of sacred dance traditions in the Himalayas and beyond. His work has been shown in 14 museums worldwide and is part of 5 permanent museum collections. The Bhutan Dance Collection is the most widely accessed collection within the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, New York Public Library, for more than 11 years. A contributor to Ballet Review in New York, for 34 years, Houseal writes a monthly column for Buddhistdoor Global. His book, Buddhist Dances, Movement & Mind, will be published by Motilal Banarsidass, in 2025.Discover Joseph's work here:https://coreofculture.org/https://www.buddhistdoor.net/column/ancient-dances/To find our more about Somatic Primer please visit us at:https://Somaticprimer.comhttps://Vidyamethod.comOur Online Learning Platform Somatic Primer on PatreonPlease consider supporting the show with a monthly donation and don’t to forget to like and subscribe.Support the show

Naomi Worth is a scholar and practitioner of yoga and Tibetan Buddhism. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, and helped found the Contemplative Sciences Center. Naomi tells us about her time in Mysore studying Ashtanga yoga and her travels to Dharmsala to study with the Tibetan Buddhist community. She also shares her retreat experiences in the practice of Tibetan Yoga at Namdroling.She has written several papers on these topics including, The Body as a Vehicle to Enlightenment: A Brief History of Physical Practices in Haṭha Yoga and Tibetan Buddhist TantraShe is currently teaching high school in New York City.quantumyouth.orgNaomi’s websiteNaomi’s publications on Academia.eduOur website: Somaticprimer.comFor upcoming live courses: Vidyamethod.comOur Online Learning PlatformPlease consider supporting the show with a monthly donation.As always thank you for listening and enjoy the episode Support the show

C.P. Ong is a 20th-generation Chen Family Taijiquan lineage disciple of both Chen Xiaowang and Chen Zhenglei. He has also studied extensively with Zhu Tiancai.He first began his Taiji studies in 1972 learning the Guang Ping Yang Style from Master Y.C. Chiang in Berkeley, CA. He is also a student of vipassana (insight) meditation and has attended several intensive meditation retreats in Buddhist monasteries in Yangon, Myanmar. He is the author of Taijiquan—Cultivating Inner Strength. He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from U.C. Berkeley in 1973 and is currently the executive Vice-President, USA Wushu-Kungfu Association.C.P. Ong's WebsiteYou can visit us @Our website: Somaticprimer.comFor upcoming live courses: Vidyamethod.comOur Online Learning Platform @ Somatic Primer on PatreonPlease consider supporting the show with a monthly donation and don’t to forget to like and subscribe.Support the show

C.P. Ong is a 20th-generation Chen Family Taijiquan lineage disciple of both Chen Xiaowang and Chen Zhenglei. He has also studied extensively with Zhu Tiancai. He first began his Taiji studies in 1972 learning the Guang Ping Yang Style from Master Y.C. Chiang in Berkeley, CA. He is also a student of vipassana (insight) meditation and has attended several intensive meditation retreats in Buddhist monasteries in Yangon, Myanmar. He is the author of Taijiquan—Cultivating Inner Strength. He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from U.C. Berkeley in 1973 and is currently the executive Vice-President, USA Wushu-Kungfu Association.C.P. Ong's WebsiteYou can find us @Our website: Somaticprimer.comFor upcoming live courses: Vidyamethod.comOur Online Learning Platform @ Somatic Primer on PatreonPlease consider supporting the show with a monthly donation and don’t to forget to like and subscribe.Support the show

On today’s episode I had the pleasure to speak to Dr. Shin Lin. Dr Lin is Professor Emeritus, Developmental & Cell BiologySchool of Biological Sciences. He is also a Chen Tai Chi linage holder and lifetime practitioner.In his Laboratory Dr LIn studies changes in physiological functions and bioenergy levels associated with the ancient mind-body practices of Qigong and Tai Chi. The result of his studies, are used to formulate models to explain the beneficial effects of these practices  on health and healing at the cellular, and molecular levels. Please visit Somatic Primer:You can visit at our website: Somaticprimer.comFor upcoming live courses: Vidyamethod.comOur Online Learning Platform @ Somatic Primer on PatreonPlease consider supporting the show with a monthly donation and don’t to forget to like and subscribe.Support the show

Don Hanlon Johnson is a professor at CIIS in San Francisco and the founder of the first graduate degree program in Somatics. He is the author of a body of literature on the intersections among bodily experience, the natural world, spirituality, social justice, and health.Don Hanlon Johnson  began his training with Dr. Ida Rolf and joined Thomas Hanna as a contributing editor of his journal Somatics, To find out more about his work please visit https://donhanlonjohnson.com. To find out more about my work or take lessons please visit http://somaticprimer.com Please visit our online learning platform on Patreon at Somatic Primer.Please enjoy the show.Support the show

Wasentha Young is a lifelong practitioner of Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation. She is a founding board member of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors. Wasentha was a student of Grandmaster William CC Chen. Master Young received formal training in Buddhist and Taoist meditation respectfully from Trungpa Rinpoche and Gia-Fu Feng in addition to achieving a masters degree in Transpersonal Studies.To visit her school please visit: https://peacefuldragonschool.com/instructors/To Support the Podcast Please Visit:Somatic Primer on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=63954666Vidya Method & Somatic Primer Courses:Meditation https://vidyamethod.com/meditation/Somatics & Tai Chi lessons at: https://somaticprimer.comPlease like and follow if you enjoyed the episode.Support the show

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Jean-Louis Rodrigue is a movement director, acting coach, and senior teacher of the Alexander Technique. For over 40 years, he has worked professionally in Los Angeles and New York in theatre, film, television, and digital media; his unique approach to character movement and improving the levels of performance has brought international recognition.Click here to get a copy of his new book on the Alexander Technique: Back to the BodyTo Find our more about Jean-Louis and his work please visit:https://alexandertechworks.com/about-alexander-techworks/Somatic Primer on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=63954666Vidya Method & Somatic Primer Courses:Meditation https://vidyamethod.com/meditation/Somatics & Tai Chi lessons at: https://somaticprimer.comPlease like and follow if you enjoyed the episode.Support the show

Yogi Sivadas was born into the traditional Ayurvedic and Yoga practices of Kerala. As a teenager, he left home to continue his quest for deeper knowledge, traveling throughout India and the neighboring countries. After more than twelve years of exploring throughout India gaining spiritual wisdom he founded the Kailash Tribal School of Yoga and Holistic Healing at Mcleodganj in 2000. Through the Kailash Tribal School of Yoga and Holistic Healing he fulfills his passion for globally sharing his knowledge and his holistic approach to life.More about Yogi Sivadas: Kailash SchoolThank you to all the listeners who are supporting the show. If you are not already then please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation and don’t to forget to like and subscribe.Vidya Method & Somatic Primer CoursesNew Courses https://vidyamethod.comTai Chi https://vidyamethod.com/tai-chi-group...Meditation https://vidyamethod.com/meditation/Our Online Learning Platform https://www.patreon.com/user?u=63954666One on One Somatic/Tai Chi lessons please visit: https://somaticprimer.comAs always thank you for listening and enjoy the episode!Support the show

Alexandra holds a BFA/Dance (University of MI), MFA/Dance (University of WI at Milwaukee), and CMA (Certified Movement Analyst) in Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals (LIMS). She is on faculty at Princeton University, Rutgers University, and The Laban/Bartenieff Institute for Movement Studies, and guest teaches nationally and internationally. To find out more about Alexandra please visit: https://www.alexandrabellerdances.org/free-resourcesAfter the podcast please visit our online learning platform on Patreon. We have weekly taiji and somatic classes there as well as articles and extended content from the podcast.Thank you to all the listeners who are supporting the show and if you are not already then please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation and don’t to forget to like and subscribe.You can visit us on our website Somaticprimer.com.Support the show