Personal transformation
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: I feel more accepting of the obstacles that life throws at me, because I know with practices I am firmly rooted and committed in myself.”
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: I’m so grateful for receiving bodywork sessions with Rene. I was at a time in my life where I was really getting in my own way continuing old patters in relationships. One of my biggest shifts has been being more attuned to my desires, truth, strengths, dignity, and pains in a way that I couldn’t have touched in Western talk therapy. There’s a new level of vulnerability and intimacy with myself that nourishes my connections with the world around me of human and non-human beings.
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: My entire life has shifted for the better since working with Rene. I can self regulate, speak with my inner children, and I see moments of hope I haven’t had in the past. I have had the biggest shift in my trauma healing from working with Rene. Although their work is not considered to be traditional therapy, it is quite simply the most effective and safe therapeutic practice I have ever done. It is therapy, just not talk therapy.
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: Receiving bodywork from Rene has helped me in processing and releasing trauma. A year and a half ago, I set the intention of experiencing the joy and peace offered in life. Since I started working with Rene, I have had more joyful moments and am optimistic about the future.
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: Even though I see Rene virtually I am continuously amazed by the way we are able to work in a consistent and connected way. Rene is the sort of listener who is able to follow complicated, messy trains of thought and help clarify the patterns and concerns they are seeing. Rene offers options for practices that can help me connect to my body’s wisdom and build capacity for transformation. I feel deep trust and feel seen and understood by Rene.”
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: Bodywork has helped me in releasing pent up energy that may be an obstacle or another challenge in staying true to my commitment.
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: Rene has supported me by affirming how much I can be in tune with my body and reminding me that I deserve presence in all areas of my life.
Image description: In black letters on yellow and white background is a client testimonial that reads: As a leader who holds space for others often, I am grateful to be coached by someone who has the power and persona to hold me.
collective transformation
for queer trans community
An all day somatics intensive for Queer and Trans community in the west side of Borikén. Co-hosted with Sanate Boricua in Borikén (Puerto Rico) in May 2025.
Purpose: Host a Boricua centered culturally relevant politicized somatics session that supports localized embodied healing / power building and exposes people to a pathway for personal and collective transformation.
Why: Displacement, infrastructure and political climate are impacting us all in different ways. In this space we will gather to take a pause, hold each other, and practice moving with intention towards our larger collective vision for our people.
Image description: A silly group photo of participants and facilitators of the all day politicized somatics intensive in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in May 2025. Individuals pictured are smiling and making silly faces and gestures.
Image description: A photo of René from the side as they are facilitating conversation with a group of participants.
Image description: A photo of a day long agenda on chart paper in Spanish. 930 Circle and presentations. 1030 Break. 1040 Practices for somatic awareness. 1145 Conditioned tendencies. 1230 Lunch. 130 Somatic opening. 300 Reclaiming power. 430 Close.
Image description: A poster on conditioned tendencies in Spanish. Generalized behaviors and reactions. Shaped by safety, dignity and belonging. Towards, Away and Against.
Image description: A group of three people sit shoulder to shoulder in a somatic allyship practice together.
Image description: A photo of three pairs of participants practicing mutual connection with each other. One person in each pair is extending a hand out towards their partner.
experiential design + anchoring
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DISRUPT DESIGN
The fellowship is a 2-year experience made up of progressive phases in Environmental Justice and Design for leaders of the Environmental Justice Movement. Fellows participate in a combination of virtual and in-person retreats, group coaching sessions, and community ideation to scale project prototypes and build power.
The unprecedented speed, magnitude, and impact of climate change requires redesigning our global economic, social, and political systems. Incremental, reformist climate change responses have been ineffective. The world needs solutions that transform the extractive systems that cause environmental harm. The EJ Movement’s critique of political, social, and economic systems and focus on frontline solutions for those most vulnerable to climate change make it prime to disrupt the status quo and advance transformative climate solutions.
In partnership with the New School’s Tishman Environment and Design Center and co-LAB Collective.
Image description: Three photos stacked vertically from fellowship convening at Corporacion Piñones Se Integra (COPI) in Loíza, Puerto Rico. In the top photo an organizer speaks while holding a maraca and gesturing with her hand. In the middle photo is René speaking to the group. In the third photo a member of the logistics team shares with the group while holding a maraca and gesturing with an open hand.
Image description: A design mindset card for Courageous Action. In black letters on yellow background reads: I make informed, complex decisions under pressure that lead to action.
Image description: A design mindset card for Interrelatedness. In black letters on yellow background reads: In conflict, I focus on centering trust to co-create pathways to build collective power.
Image description: An outdoor all fellowship photo from an in-person retreat in October 2024 when the cohort visited Sogorea Te’ Land Trust in Oakland, CA.
Image description: Two photos cropped together of people sitting in a circle At Sogorea Te’ Land Trust. In the top photo, a person in a black sweater and glasses speaks while gesturing with her hand. Two others look towards her as she speaks. In the bottom photo two other participants sitting in chairs look across the circle at the person speaking.
Image description: Two photos cropped together. The top photo is of four fellows in red shirts and black shirts standing side by side and embracing in front of Cueva del Indio in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Fellows are smiling and one holds a maraca in her hand. In the bottom photo members of the facilitation team stand side by side embracing at the shoulders.
Image description: Two photos of a morning circle held with fellows in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the top photo, René looks on as a leader at the Tishman center shares with the group. In the second photo two process coaches engage in a playful skit to activate design mindsets.
Image description: A design asset that was printed for the in person retreat in October 2024. The design tool helped groups identify their guiding star, near star, and false solutions for the problem they are working to address.
Image description: A design asset that was printed for the in person retreat in October 2024. The design tool helps groups think about scalability and identify forms of scaling that are possible given the problem they are designing around.