26th IIBA International Conference | Report from Laurie Ure

I recently represented Nanziba on the planning committee for the 26th IIBA conference in Brazil. Since many of you were not able to attend the conference, I want to share with you some of the feeling from the conference and my experiences on the committee.  For me, the most valuable part was being with a group of widely diverse, committed, engaged international and Brazilian bioenergetic students and therapists. By the end of the conference a joyful, celebratory energy radiated among the participants. We listened, talked, danced, sang, and moved together. I’d like to share some of the energy and highlights with you.  

I created a video with Brazilian samba music and pictures from the conference to give you a flavor: Click here to view the video. 

• The conference sold out with 320 participants - mostly Brazilian bioenergetic therapists and trainees - who came from several different Brazilian bioenergetic societies and varied in age, gender, and ethnicity. Other attendees came from Italy, Russia, Israel, Germany, Armenia, Chile, Columbia, and the US. The conference focused on the theme: “Giving Voice to the Body in Challenging Times.” 
• The IIBA faculty met in person for the first time in several years the days before the conference began. We welcomed five new members from Brazil, Spain, Israel, and Janet Pinneau and myself from the US. The meetings included discussion and decisions on some significant topics. The IIBA Board of Trustees met before the conference as well. 
• The conference opened Wed evening with a Brazilian style dancing cocktail party. Unlike cocktail parties in the US where people stand around and talk, everyone danced, sang, and celebrating being together.
• The morning plenary sessions included: 1) an interview with Dr. Stephen Porges by Vincentia Schroeter (shown by video with subtitles in Portuguese) followed by a panel discussion, 2) Brazilians Marcelo Leite and Sidarta Ribeiro discussing the use of psychedelics and dreams in therapy, and 3) a discussion of diversity led by Brazilian local trainer Maria Cristina Francisco who shared her personal experiences of racism as a black woman. A panel discussion followed her presentation and several audience members then shared their feelings and experiences. Unfortunately, the translation devices were of poor quality so it was difficult to understand exactly what people said. Even without understanding the words, the honesty and depth of what people shared was moving.
• During the 3 days of afternoon sessions we offered a total of 47 workshops (in 2 sessions each afternoon). The workshops covered a wide variety of topics related to the conference theme. Some of the unique Brazilian style workshops had titles like: "From zumbi to Zumbi", "Giving Voice to the Body through Latin American Dance Styles," and "Colonized Bodies: Identity and Belonging, Voices that Liberate." We also offered 2 all day pre conference workshops on Wed before the main conference began. Each morning began with energetic exercise classes.
• On Thursday evening a large group of society directors gathered, introduced ourselves, and toasted. Friday evening we had a vibrant dance party at one of the beach restaurants. Saturday evening the gala dinner included first, a band with singer, drummer, guitars, and horns, then a samba band with drummers and dancers. So much dancing! 
• Sunday morning, two Brazilians - Alexandre Barreto and Clarissa Batistela - provided a detailed and comprehensive report about current research on bioenergetics and body psychotherapies. We then had a membership meeting for the IIBA. We showed the video created by Janet Pinneau advertising the next conference scheduled for Atlanta in Oct, 2025. Scott Baum talked about initial plans for the conference. We ended with giving voice through songs of people from different countries including: Italian Manuela Tremante, Violaine DeClerk from Brussels, a group of Russians who started with a slow, sad song, then delighted us with a joyful song and dance, and Anat Gihon and Yael Harel from Israel. Cecilia Valentin from Brazil led us in raising our voices together in song. A Brazilian woman named Hilda Torres completed the sharing with her passionate and soulful poetry. 

The conference committee felt good about the success of the conference despite some challenges we faced along the way. Here’s what Cristina Piahuy, former IIBA president, said to the committee:

“Our partnership in organizing this conference, despite many obstacles, was always confident that we would be able to overcome it. This energy of fluidity, joy and enthusiasm was what was experienced in the meetings by conference participants. I have only heard good things about the conference. Laurie and Josette your presence only strengthens the confidence that with collaboration and open hearts different cultures can build a better world for all.”

If you are considering joining the organizing committee for the conference in Atlanta, I highly recommend it. Our planning committee involved regular meetings via Zoom with the Brazilian team of about 12 people, myself, and a woman from Holland who represented Europe. Through the challenges (like having a limited number and size of workshop rooms, budgets, some people testing positive for COVID at the conference, and navigating language differences) I now have a new group of dear colleagues and friends. 

We are all lucky to be part of this dynamic global organization. I highly recommend going to the next conference in Brazil, joining a conference planning committee, and as many people said at the end of the conference: "See you in Atlanta in 2025!

Laurie Ure | http://www.laurieure.com/