Southeast Asian American Men’s Virtual Healing Space

Summer of 2024

Southeast Asian Men’s Healing Spaces
Over the last three months, Moving Rasa has continued its healing work with Southeast Asian American men through our Monthly Healing Virtual spaces in partnership with ManForward. In July, we delved into the complexities of visibility—balancing the desire to blend in with the inescapable visibility of being different. Participants reflected on their experiences of performance versus authenticity, navigating how they are seen by both white and BIPOC communities. A key activity helped participants reconnect with their younger selves, receiving wisdom from Southeast Asian male elders in the group, which fostered a deeper sense of community care.

In August, we introduced the "Man Box" framework, focusing on how shame shapes our lived experiences as men. Through movement, participants developed awareness of their bodily presence, grounding, and boundaries, discovering how to modify their relationships with societal expectations. This practice restored calm and allowed for deeper self-reflection.

By September, we explored masculinity through movement, experimenting with hard and soft qualities. A visualization exercise allowed participants to break free from rigid masculine norms, expanding their capacity for self-expression and authenticity.