body rites

"Body rites is an incredibly grounding, sensitive, and informative guide to helping those who’ve experienced sexual assault feel reconnected to their bodies. dr young does a masterful job of fostering a sense of safety and warmth as she walks beside readers on the journey of healing. The book breaks down scientific and psychological terms in accessible and relevant ways, and is a radical and needed departure from other texts in this space. Many will be able to see themselves and be helped by her offering." - Joy Harden Bradford, PhD, licensed psychologist, founder of Therapy for Black Girls, and author of Sisterhood Heals

"As I read just the first few pages of this masterpiece, I felt a swirling in my stomach—the kind that brings you a genuine sense of excitement and awe as you know you are about to curl up with something that is going to change both your life and the world. I organically rested a palm on my belly and heart to be present with this deeply embodied experience. dr shena is a poet and a healer, and in body rites she offers the gift of her breathtaking wisdom that is filled with the magic, light, and soothing balm only she can provide.

The illustrations are ethereal, and they beautifully affirm the holistic medicine dr shena shares. In this mind, body, and spirit journey of ritual, affirmation, remembrance, journaling, embodiment, breathwork, and nervous system care, she reminds readers that they are inherently whole. A beloved spirit guide and a truly one-of-a-kind resource, may Black survivors of sexual trauma all over the world be held, seen, and cherished with this medicine. Profoundly healing and infused with the utmost love, care, intention from tender and deep lived experience, you will not be the same person after this journey unfolds.

" - Zahabiyah Yamasaki, MEd, RYT, author of Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Trauma-Informed Yoga Affirmation Card Deck

"Body rites is a loving invitation to return to the old technologies of ancient global cultures to heal and bring forth new strength. By tapping into the epic memory of the body, survivors can rewrite their stories, not only the moments of harm but also what they have been socialized to believe about themselves. body rites meets survivors where they are, skillfully blending science-backed, trauma-informed best practices, spirituality, and tradition. shena writes with patience, warmth, expertise, and courage; it is clear that each of the words and chosen images are glimpses of shena’s embodied practice offered as a gift to other survivors. Many survivors will immediately see themselves in these pages of body rites, while others will find themselves." - Shesheena A. Bray, MSEd, NCC, owner of Going Inward Wellness, LLC, and program director of me too. International