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Somacultural Liberation: An Indigenous, Two-Spirit Somatic Guide to Integrating Cultural Experiences Toward Freedom
Two-Spirit Indigiqueer psychotherapist and cultural theorist Dr. Roger Kuhn illuminates the ways our bodies offer portals to our own liberation.
Experience somacultural A revolutionary ideology to explore how our bodies offer portals to personal and collective freedom.
What role does dominant culture play in how we experience the sensations, thoughts, feelings, and deeper existential mysteries of our bodies?
Dr. Roger Kuhn, a Poarch Creek Two-Spirit Indigequeer activist, artist, sex therapist, and somacultural theorist, believes that Two-Spirit people hold a unique perspective—and that viewing our bodies through a somacultural lens can help us better understand how dominant culture informs and, all too often, misinforms our relationship to it.
Somacultural liberation is an embodied practice that helps people connect with the intersections of their identity. Kuhn’s revolutionary mode of inquiry illuminates the full impact of our cultural reality in shaping both our individual and shared sense of self.
The history and experiences of Native American peoples and those who identify as Two-Spirit offer the reader a path to access the full brilliance of their body. Including growth work activities, cultural assessment exercises, mindfulness practices, and nervous system regulation techniques, Somacultural Liberation provides readers with the tools and skills needed to transcend any challenges they may face in their lives.
Straddling colonial imposition and tribal significance, Two-Spirit identity offers a powerful decolonizing framework to achieve freedom and navigate the toxic systems of domination that impose upon the precious truth of who we are.
Experience somacultural A revolutionary ideology to explore how our bodies offer portals to personal and collective freedom.
What role does dominant culture play in how we experience the sensations, thoughts, feelings, and deeper existential mysteries of our bodies?
Dr. Roger Kuhn, a Poarch Creek Two-Spirit Indigequeer activist, artist, sex therapist, and somacultural theorist, believes that Two-Spirit people hold a unique perspective—and that viewing our bodies through a somacultural lens can help us better understand how dominant culture informs and, all too often, misinforms our relationship to it.
Somacultural liberation is an embodied practice that helps people connect with the intersections of their identity. Kuhn’s revolutionary mode of inquiry illuminates the full impact of our cultural reality in shaping both our individual and shared sense of self.
The history and experiences of Native American peoples and those who identify as Two-Spirit offer the reader a path to access the full brilliance of their body. Including growth work activities, cultural assessment exercises, mindfulness practices, and nervous system regulation techniques, Somacultural Liberation provides readers with the tools and skills needed to transcend any challenges they may face in their lives.
Straddling colonial imposition and tribal significance, Two-Spirit identity offers a powerful decolonizing framework to achieve freedom and navigate the toxic systems of domination that impose upon the precious truth of who we are.
208 pages, Paperback
Published February 6, 2024
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136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 31, 2024
This book felt halfway in between regular non fiction and self help and did this perfectly.
In this book the author uses his own life experiences to make you reflect at your own. And when he explained in the intro he'd be doing that I was a bit hesitant to be honest if that would make sense. But it worked really well. During the book I felt that through reading about his life, I could look at my own with the same kind of lens. These examples of his thoughts helped a whole lot for this. I'm very autistic and when people explain me things to think on or reflect they usually feel very abstract and I would be feeling extremely lost. Many therapy sessions I've had in my life I just listened to and felt very confused how to apply this to myself and my own life. But with the author of this book sharing his own experiences and how he reflects on those suddenly the tips became more tangible and I understood them.
In this book the author uses the BOLD ADDRESSING assessment. This model of looking at people from all angles and uses that to be aware of all parts of yourself. This he also gives a full example for with him as model and it was very interesting to see that. Then when doing this assessment myself I felt like I learned quite a lot about myself. Suddenly a lot of sore spots I was pushing away came to the forefront and I was forced to acknowledge them. Not fun to do, but important nonetheless and I learned a lot.
I loved the way the book was organized as well. It had a few shorter chapters at the beginning explaining all sides of the word "somacultural liberation" and then one long chapter in chapter 6 going deep into it how this could be achieved in your life. The explanations in the earlier chapters were well done and I would easily follow what I needed to know. The long chapter on the liberation on your own life had a lot of things to try out and learn from that I feel like really helped me look at myself in more detail.
Concluding this was a very interesting book that I learned a lot about myself form.
Rating 4.25 stars
I received an eARC and this was my honest review.
In this book the author uses his own life experiences to make you reflect at your own. And when he explained in the intro he'd be doing that I was a bit hesitant to be honest if that would make sense. But it worked really well. During the book I felt that through reading about his life, I could look at my own with the same kind of lens. These examples of his thoughts helped a whole lot for this. I'm very autistic and when people explain me things to think on or reflect they usually feel very abstract and I would be feeling extremely lost. Many therapy sessions I've had in my life I just listened to and felt very confused how to apply this to myself and my own life. But with the author of this book sharing his own experiences and how he reflects on those suddenly the tips became more tangible and I understood them.
In this book the author uses the BOLD ADDRESSING assessment. This model of looking at people from all angles and uses that to be aware of all parts of yourself. This he also gives a full example for with him as model and it was very interesting to see that. Then when doing this assessment myself I felt like I learned quite a lot about myself. Suddenly a lot of sore spots I was pushing away came to the forefront and I was forced to acknowledge them. Not fun to do, but important nonetheless and I learned a lot.
I loved the way the book was organized as well. It had a few shorter chapters at the beginning explaining all sides of the word "somacultural liberation" and then one long chapter in chapter 6 going deep into it how this could be achieved in your life. The explanations in the earlier chapters were well done and I would easily follow what I needed to know. The long chapter on the liberation on your own life had a lot of things to try out and learn from that I feel like really helped me look at myself in more detail.
Concluding this was a very interesting book that I learned a lot about myself form.
Rating 4.25 stars
I received an eARC and this was my honest review.
March 27, 2025
Should be a required text for masters level clinicians
April 27, 2024
Psychotherapist, activist, and artist Roger Kuhn, PhD (Poarch Creek), guides readers to scrutinize and gain insight into how bodily experiences are shaped by culture through Somacultural Liberation. Kuhn identifies as a mixed-race Native American, Two-Spirit person, boldly imparting traumatic experiences of childhood abuse and coming to terms with his proximity to the dominant culture, Indigeneity, and sexuality. The author locates his relationality to complex intersections of identity, sharing deeply personal pivotal moments of his life: from growing up in poverty to achieving academic and professional acclaim. Throughout the book, Kuhn models various self-awareness activities, mindfulness practices, and embodiment techniques to help readers achieve liberation from the confines of colonial mindsets and experiences.
As an Indigequeer therapist, Kuhn shares important lessons for readers interested in applying culturally relevant approaches to overcoming emotional and physical trauma. This book is a great read for healers, counselors, and healthcare workers eager to learn about the Indigenous worldview. As a non-Native, cisgender woman, l came away with a more nuanced understanding of the Indigenous experience from the LGBTQIA+ perspective. At times, Somacultural Liberation presents as an academic treatise explaining the author’s praxis of decolonizing sexuality. Kuhn is adept at switching tones to keep the book accessible, as he takes the time to explain concepts that may be unfamiliar to readers without a counseling background.
As an Indigequeer therapist, Kuhn shares important lessons for readers interested in applying culturally relevant approaches to overcoming emotional and physical trauma. This book is a great read for healers, counselors, and healthcare workers eager to learn about the Indigenous worldview. As a non-Native, cisgender woman, l came away with a more nuanced understanding of the Indigenous experience from the LGBTQIA+ perspective. At times, Somacultural Liberation presents as an academic treatise explaining the author’s praxis of decolonizing sexuality. Kuhn is adept at switching tones to keep the book accessible, as he takes the time to explain concepts that may be unfamiliar to readers without a counseling background.
December 28, 2023
Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
"Take a breath with me and know that returning to ourselves is a pleasurable experience, and pleasure heals."
Kuhn is a two-spirit Indigiqueer, sexually fluid, mixed-race member of the Poarch Creek people (he, him pronouns but welcomes others with good faith-she, they). He is a psychotherapist with a focus on sex therapy. I think this provides a great primer for those who would like to learn more about queer theory and indigenous studies. Kuhn provides personal anecdotes as well as indigenous history. Kuhn also provides exercises for readers to complete on their own, with journal prompts and longer activities such as the "Bold Addressing,' "Growth Work," "Fab Five Values," and "Four Spaces".
Though this is a short read, it can sometimes read as quite academic so it did take me a bit to read through it. However, I am glad I read it and am hopeful in continuing my education on consent ideology, decolonized sexuality, sexual sovereignty, two-spirit communities, and more.
"Take a breath with me and know that returning to ourselves is a pleasurable experience, and pleasure heals."
Kuhn is a two-spirit Indigiqueer, sexually fluid, mixed-race member of the Poarch Creek people (he, him pronouns but welcomes others with good faith-she, they). He is a psychotherapist with a focus on sex therapy. I think this provides a great primer for those who would like to learn more about queer theory and indigenous studies. Kuhn provides personal anecdotes as well as indigenous history. Kuhn also provides exercises for readers to complete on their own, with journal prompts and longer activities such as the "Bold Addressing,' "Growth Work," "Fab Five Values," and "Four Spaces".
Though this is a short read, it can sometimes read as quite academic so it did take me a bit to read through it. However, I am glad I read it and am hopeful in continuing my education on consent ideology, decolonized sexuality, sexual sovereignty, two-spirit communities, and more.
September 24, 2025
As a former sexuality scholar I deeply appreciate how Kuhn weaves together a holistic understanding of human beings and offers care providers a rich set of reflective tools to deepen personal and professional relationships. It addresses what Decolonizing Therapy does not by centering the body, and encouraging folx to lean in and explore how their bodies and desires fit into their understanding and experience of liberation in an increasingly carceral world. Best read with your favorite comfort beverage and a cozy blanket.
August 13, 2025
Part memoir, part therapy workbook, this is everything I was hoping it would be.
Originally I had the thought that this is what "My Grandmother's Hands" wished it could have been but I will add the caveat that while that is true, this book's intention was never to cross into abolition/liberation and thus did not cross into carcerality or the police. That takes nothing away from what it actually is, I just wasn't aware until I began reading that it wasn't aimed in that direction.
Originally I had the thought that this is what "My Grandmother's Hands" wished it could have been but I will add the caveat that while that is true, this book's intention was never to cross into abolition/liberation and thus did not cross into carcerality or the police. That takes nothing away from what it actually is, I just wasn't aware until I began reading that it wasn't aimed in that direction.
March 1, 2024
Very informative and insightful!! cannot recommend enough
March 31, 2024
This book felt really all over the place, especially for the first 3/4. It’s not until the end that it all really comes together and you get the author’s intention with this book, which for me was quite demotivating but I’m glad I decided to push through and finish reading it all the way to the last word.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews