Practicing Liberation: Healing Together in Community

Hala Khouri, M.A., SEP, E-RYT is a leading voice in trauma-informed care, embodied social justice, and resilience-building. With over 25 years of experience teaching yoga and movement and 15 years of clinical work and training, Hala has dedicated her life to bridging the gap between healing, activism, and systemic change. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, she holds degrees in psychology and counseling and is trained in Somatic Experiencing, a body-based approach to resolving trauma. She is co-founder of Off the Mat, Into the World and an adjunct professor at Pitzer College. Hala is the author of the books, Peace from Anxiety and Practicing Liberation, an anthology. In addition to leading national trainings on somatics and resilience, her work includes Radical Wellbeing, an online membership program fostering healing through embodied practices and community connection.

 

In today’s episode, host Shay Beider welcomes Hala to explore the deep connection between healing, community, and the need for systemic change. Drawing from her personal experiences and decades of work in trauma-informed care, Hala shares powerful insights into how individual healing is inseparable from collective well-being. The duo discuss how strength and resilience are built through community and the importance of breaking down harmful systems to create environments where healing is truly possible. Finally, Hala shares that at the heart of healing is developing a healthy relationship with discomfort and to not be afraid of healing through pain. 

 

Listen to the complete episode by clicking the player above. Transcripts for this episode are available at: https://www.integrativetouch.org/conversations-on-healing 

 

Show Notes:

• Check out Hala’s website

• Check out Off the Mat, Into the World 

• Read Peace from Anxiety

• Read Practicing Liberation

• Explore Radical WellBeing here

• See the book, How We Show Up

• Find Healing by Thomas Insel

• Learn more about Theater of the Oppressed

This podcast was created by Integrative Touch (InTouch), which is changing healthcare through human connectivity. A leader in the field of integrative medicine, InTouch exists to alleviate pain and isolation for anyone affected by illness, disability or trauma. This includes kids and adults with cancers, genetic conditions, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic stress, and other serious health issues. The founder, Shay Beider, pioneered a new therapy called Integrative Touch™Therapy that supports healing from trauma and serious illness. The organization provides proven integrative medicine therapies, education and support that fill critical healthcare gaps. Their success is driven by deep compassion, community and integrity. 

Each year, InTouch reaches thousands of people at the Integrative Touch Healing Center, both in person and through Telehealth. Thanks to the incredible support of volunteers and contributors, InTouch created a unique scholarship model called Heal it Forward that brings services to people in need at little or no cost to them. To learn more or donate to Heal it Forward, please visit IntegrativeTouch.org