Podcast appearances and mentions of michelle cassandra johnson

What spiritual lessons can bees teach us about being aware, present and seeing the One in all? Join us in conversation with Michelle Cassandra Johnson as she shares practices of contemplation for healing ourselves, all beings and our world.

Send us a textWhat if the honey bees are here to save us?  Today, my special guests Amy Burtaine and Michelle Cassandra Johnson, co authors of the book, The Wisdom of the Hive: What Honeybees Can Teach Us about Collective Wellbeing and I are going to talk about this question and more.  We'll talk about bees as role models of adaptability, special lessons the bees have gifted these two authors, and they'll even share with us a practice and contemplation or two that you can do right now to create more honey inside— all today on the Intuition for Changemakers Show.Show NotesWisdom of the Hive: What Honeybees Can Teach Us about Collective Wellbeing book purchase supports Vashon Bookshop Michelle Cassandra Johnson (book and other events)I want to be a Soulutionary!I'm interested in doing private study with Aimée. For more about Aimée, her work, readings, speaking, or classes visit www.AimeeCartier.com. 

Some podcast apps may not display links from our show notes properly, so we have included a list of links at the end of this description. * Majority cultural norms in the United States suppress our ability to truly feel our grief and each person's experience with grief is as unique as the grief itself. Writer, somatic practitioner, and artist Camille Sapara Barton's take on grief speaks directly to the ways that BIPOC and queer communities and individuals disproportionately experience unique constellations of loss. In their work, Camille honors every experience: The loss of displacement from homelands, severed lineages and ancestral ways of knowing. The grief of colonization and theft. The deep heaviness that burrows into our bodies when society tells us our bodies are wrong. * In this conversation with author, educator, activist, and intuitive healer Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Camille shares ways we can tend to our grief both alone and in community, drawing upon their new book Tending Grief, written specifically to center and hold the grief of BIPOC communities. * This episode was recorded during a live online event on August 2nd 2024. You can also watch it on the CIIS Public Programs YouTube channel. A transcript is available at ciispod.com. To find out more about CIIS and public programs like this one, visit our website ciis.edu and connect with us on social media @ciispubprograms. * We hope that each episode of our podcast provides opportunities for growth, and that our listeners will use them as a starting point for further introspection. Many of the topics discussed on our podcast have the potential to bring up feelings and emotional responses. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health care and support, here are some resources to find immediate help and future healing: * -Visit 988lifeline.org or text, call, or chat with The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 from anywhere in the U.S. to be connected immediately with a trained counselor. Please note that 988 staff are required to take all action necessary to secure the safety of a caller and initiate emergency response with or without the caller's consent if they are unwilling or unable to take action on their own behalf. * -Visit thrivelifeline.org or text “THRIVE” to begin a conversation with a THRIVE Lifeline crisis responder 24/7/365, from anywhere: +1.313.662.8209. This confidential text line is available for individuals 18+ and is staffed by people in STEMM with marginalized identities. * -Visit translifeline.org or call (877) 565-8860 in the U.S. or (877) 330-6366 in Canada to learn more and contact Trans Lifeline, who provides trans peer support divested from police. * -Visit ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics to learn more and schedule counseling sessions at one of our centers. * -Find information about additional global helplines at befrienders.org. * LINKS * Podcast Transcripts: https://www.ciispod.com/ * California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Website: https://www.ciis.edu/ * CIIS Public Programs YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ciispublicprograms * CIIS Public Programs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciispubprograms/ * Mental Health Care and Support Resources: https://988lifeline.org/ https://thrivelifeline.org/ https://translifeline.org/ https://www.ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics https://befrienders.org/

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 387: The Five Kleshas with Michelle Cassandra Johnson   Description: What lies at the root of all human suffering? How can we relieve our suffering and that of others? According to the yoga sutras, our suffering comes from five root causes, the five kelshas, and there are practices we can do to alleviate suffering. Michelle Cassandra Johnson has studied this topic in-depth and shares her insights.   Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author and activist. She has been a racial equity educator for 25 years and is also a yoga teacher, spiritual teacher, and practitioner. Michelle works with people 1:1 and in group settings to help them connect to their intuitive abilities and supports them within intuitive healing practices. Her latest book, Illuminating Our True Nature: Yogic Practices for Personal and Collective Healing, was released in July 2024 and focuses on the kleshas.   Michelle explains what the five kleshas are, and how we see them showing up in our lives with examples. She shares her reflections on our interconnectedness with each other, nature, and the earth as well as why we have become so disconnected. Michelle offers some practices to help us lessen suffering individually and collectively, and how we can avoid contributing to suffering through our actions.   Key Takeaways: [4:01] Shannon gives a shout-out to the sponsors, OfferingTree, and her own 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Teacher Training. [4:01] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Michelle Cassandra Johnson. [7:12] What does Michelle do and who does she do it for? [10:54] How does Michelle define the kleshas? [13:41] Michelle introduces the five different kleshas. [18:11] Can all human suffering be distilled into the five kleshas? [23:50] Shannon and Michelle discuss how interconnected we are, not just to each other but to nature and the earth as well. [28:34] Shannon pops in to share about a workshop that Billie Smith is running, hosted by sponsor, OfferingTree. [30:38] Is avoiding suffering contributing to suffering? [37:52] Shannon and Michelle reflect on their connection to the earth and being in relationship with nature. [44:26] Some people are unable to see the disconnect in between different areas of their lives. How can we navigate that? [50:16] What are the ways that we can reduce or relieve suffering? [56:19] Which of the kleshas is the most challenging to address and what is a practice that can help?  [62:02] Learn more from Michelle via her website, where you can get access to her books, workshops, and other resources. [64:52] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation with Michelle.   Links: Michelle Cassandra Johnson Illuminating Our True Nature, by Michelle Cassandra Johnson The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode BONUS: Anti-Racism & Yoga with Michelle Johnson OfferingTree Webinar: Queer Inclusive Teaching with Billie Smith and Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 5 Koshas Series: Annamaya Kosha The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 073: 8 Limbs of Yoga [Part 1] with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 074: 8 Limbs of Yoga [Part 2] with Jennie Lee The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 385: When the Yoga Teacher Stumbles with Jivana Heyman Yoga for Pelvic Health  3-Hour On Demand Workshop with Shannon Crow The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Team Shannon Crow on Instagram   Gratitude to our Sponsors, OfferingTree, and Yoga for Pelvic Health 20-hr Online Training with Shannon Crow.   Quotes from this episode: "This is illuminating our true nature which speaks to the fact that we are nature and that so many of us have been conditioned to be divorced from nature as if it doesn't exist within us." - Michelle   " This path calls us to study the root causes of suffering so that we suffer less. And ultimately,... become liberated, but it's not just about my liberation, it's about everyone's liberation." - Michelle   "Am I also contributing to suffering by thinking, I'll just avoid this." - Shannon   "If we're going to take action, we need to do it from a steady and a grounded place." - Michelle   "The path of yoga in so many ways is about us shedding our conditioning and at a minimum, interrogating our conditioning and then shedding what is not aligned with nature." - Michelle   "We have to understand why we suffer and how we suffer. ... It's an ongoing practice and study and it's a muscle to build."

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Matthew here with the third installment of Five Big Questions Posed to an Extremely Thoughtful Person.  Michelle Cassandra Johnson was an early guest on our show and helped us lay the groundwork for understanding the reality and impacts of racism in the worlds of wellness and new spirituality. She's an author, activist, and racial equity trainer. Her latest book, A Space For Us: A Guide For Leading Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Affinity Groups, was published by Beacon Press in August 2023. She lives in North Carolina with her sweet dog, Jasper, and her honeybees. Show Notes Michelle Cassandra Johnson Conspirituality 40: White Supremacy: Grift and Gravity (w/Michelle Cassandra Johnson & Daniel Lombroso)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Cassandra Johnson explores the kleshas—the five afflictions that cause suffering—within the framework of modern challenges ranging from racial injustice to climate change. Through personal stories, insights on yoga philosophy, and practical advice, Michelle offers a roadmap for understanding and addressing the root causes of suffering both individually and collectively. This conversation will inspire yoga practitioners and activists alike to engage deeply with their practice and strive for personal and social transformation. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 Introduction to the kleshas 2:10 Levity as sustenance for deep work 04:45 Why Michelle chose to write about the kleshas 06:55 A primer on the kleshas 14:36 How the kleshas confront our assumptions 16:32 Pain and the kleshas 24:35 The kleshas and social change 42:14 Teaching the kleshas in yoga     EPISODE LINKS & RESOURCES: Michelle Cassandra Johnson Book: Illuminating Our True Nature Illuminating Our True Nature Book Club Illuminating Our True Nature Course: The Five Afflictions Illuminating Our True Nature Gathering and Practice Follow Michelle on Instagram @skillinaction LINKS AND RESOURCES: Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on iTunes Ask a question for the podcast on the Yoga Teacher Resource website or on SpeakPipe

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author, activist, spiritual teacher and practitioner, racial equity consultant and trainer, and intuitive healer. She approaches her life and work from a place of knowing we are, can, and must heal individually and collectively. Michelle teaches workshops and immersions and leads retreats and transformative experiences nationwide. As a dismantling racism educator, she has worked with large corporations, non-profits, and community groups. Michelle was a Tedx speaker at Wake Forest University in 2019 and has been interviewed on several podcasts in which she explores the premise and foundation of Skill in Action, along with embodied approaches to racial equity work, creating ritual in justice spaces, our divine connection with nature and Spirit, and how we as a culture can heal. Michelle published the first edition of Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World in 2017; and the 2nd edition of Skill in Action in November 2021, published by Shambhala Publications. Her second book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief, was published by Shambhala Publications in 2021. Her third book, We Heal Together: Rituals and Practice for Building Community and Connection, published by Shambhala Publications, explores the deep knowing and truth that we are interconnected; we belong to one another. We Heal Together offers rituals and practices meant to dream us into a new way of being to benefit the highest and fullest good. Her latest book, A Space For Us: A Guide For Leading Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Affinity Groups, was published by Beacon Press in August 2023. Michelle leads courageously from the heart with compassion and a commitment to address the heartbreak dominant culture causes for many because of the harm it creates. She inspires change that allows people to stand in their humanity and wholeness in a world that fragments most of us. In this conversation, Michelle and Anjali discuss: Kleshas as an inquiry: Michelle's new book on kleshas What does healing mean when the world is ablaze? Our collective nervous systems Michelle's writing as a practice of reclamation and re-connection Her go to rituals during the writing process Role of community care and collective How does she practice care as a space holder? Connect with Michelle on her website or on Instagram @skillinaction You can receive 30% off if you pre-order Illuminating Our True Nature from Shambhala Publications. Use TRUENATURE30 at checkout. Free Resources for Teachers We are grateful for the support of our podcast partner OfferingTree — an all-in-one, easy to use business platform for classes, courses, memberships and more. Check it out at www.offeringtree.com/accessibleyoga.

Welcome to 2024, Yoga Pros.Our first podcast of the year is with the delightful Michelle Cassandra Johnson, and I was lucky enough to get to ask her so many questions. We had a nuanced conversation regarding being of service to the world, how we hold space for grief, and the tension between the spiritual call to be quiet and the noise we experience in our lives. Take a listen to all her wisdom.KEY TAKEAWAYS:*Often in yoga and wellness we shy away from grief and other uncomfortable topics. In this space, we should do more to carve out the opportunity for folks to feel uncomfortable–because the reality is that we will one day all die and lose everything we have. It is important to remember this work is a main tenant of a yogic practice, and not shy away from it.*To quote Michelle: The spiritual crisis we are moving through at this moment is because we think that we are separate. Using the Kleshas can help us work through this suffering.*Are you feeling overwhelmed at the idea of shifting our work into experiencing both the collective and individual experience? As Michelle said, “I don't know if my practice is working, but it is what I have”. This has been true for me many times in my life, and perhaps for you too. Taking a moment to shift your mindset from “Is it working” to “Does it serve to support me” might help positively change your perspective.*Getting clear on where we can be of service and what our role is can help guide us forward as we shift to be of service more within the world. I got to ask Daniel Simpson, author of The Truth Of Yoga about this as well, and I think you will love what he says. *It sometimes takes a beat for anyone to figure out how to respond to heavy situations in the world, so if you feel called to respond, great. But if you don't, it is also okay to take a moment and pause, research, and figure out what you believe, and then respond if needed.*Take some time in this new year to pause and create an intention for 2024. I do this work for myself as I said in my intro, and so does Michelle. It is worth taking a moment to pause, reflect, and get excited for the upcoming year. RESOURCESWorking In Yoga WebsiteWorking In Yoga NewsletterMichelle Cassandra Johnson's WebsiteSPONSORSunlight Streams Blog

I invited educator, writer, artist and activist Tema Okun (she/her) to talk with us about holiday traditions, rituals, and cultural appropriation. What she offered was deep wisdom from her personal life and decades of work as a DEI facilitator, author and professor. I hope this episode prompts reflection and provides encouragement to keep healing and growing. Tema Okun has spent over 35 years working with and for organizations, schools, and community-based institutions as a trainer, facilitator, teacher, and mentor focused on issues of racial justice and equity. She got her start at Grassroots Leadership. For 12 years she worked with the late and beloved Kenneth Jones at ChangeWork and then for another decade with Michelle Johnson and many brilliant colleagues at Dismantling Racism Works. She recently completed 6 years of co-leading the Teaching for Equity Fellows Program at Duke University, which works with faculty seeking to develop stronger skills both teaching about race and racism and across lines of race, class, and gender. She also facilitates and support leaders and organizations with colleagues at Teach.Equity.Now., housed at the Pauli Murray Center in Durham, NC. She was a member of the Educational Leadership faculty at National Louis University in Chicago and has taught undergraduate, master's, and doctoral level students in educational leadership and education. She is the author of the award-winning The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don't Want to Know (2010, IAP) and the widely used article White Supremacy Culture, which she is asking people to stop using and instead reference a website based on a revision and update of the article in May 2021: www.whitesupremacyculture.info. She publishes regularly on the pedagogy of racial and social justice. She is a member of the Bhumisphara Sangha under the leadership of Lama Rod Owens and a participant in The Infinite Circle at Breadloaf Mountain Zen Center. She is an artist, a poet, and a writer. She lives in Carrboro, NC where she is fortunate to reside among beloved community. Her current project is deepening her ability to love her neighbor as herself. She is finding the instruction easy and the follow through challenging, given how we live in a culture that is afraid to help us do either or both. RESOURCES Design Your Year Workshop Read: Divorcing White Supremacy Culture: Coming Home to Who We Really Are Dismantling Racism: A History Lesson White by Law: The Legal Construction of Race by Ian Haney Lopez Podcasts: Ruby Sales on the On Being podcast Tema Okun and Michelle Cassandra Johnson on All the F*ck In Organizations for education, community and action: Better Neighbor Lab We Are Finding Freedom The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond White Awake

How can we heal and find joy in times of isolation, grief, sadness, and fear?  Michelle Cassandra Johnson shares spiritual teachings drawn from the Bhagavad Gita, mindfulness practices and rituals to show how to build community, summon support, connect with nature, and thrive.

Are you ready to reach out to others, be in conversation, and find new ways to connect with compassion and openness? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Michelle Cassandra Johnson on her new #book We Heal Together: Rituals and Practices for Building Community and Connection.#MomentsWithMarianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate! Michelle Cassandra Johnson is a social justice warrior, author, dismantling racism trainer, empath, yoga teacher and practitioner, and an intuitive healer. With over 20 years of experience leading dismantling racism work and working with clients as a licensed clinical social worker, Johnson has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit, and heart. She has led Dismantling Racism Trainings with large corporations, small nonprofits, and community groups, including the ACLU-WA, Duke University, Google, This American Life, The Center for Equity and Inclusion, Eno River Unitarian Universalist Church, and many others. She teaches workshops nationwide. https://www.michellecjohnson.com For more show information visit: www.MariannePestana.com#bookclub #readinglist #book #bookish #MariannePestana #author #authorinterview #kmet1490am #community #connection #humanity #healing #healingtrauma #compassion #selfimprovement #selfcare #loveyourlife #compassionate #kindness

Are there simple practices for developing greater connection? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Michelle Cassandra Johnson on her new #book Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief.#MomentsWithMarianne airs in the Southern California area on KMET 1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate! Michelle Cassandra Johnson is a social justice warrior, author, dismantling racism trainer, empath, yoga teacher and practitioner, and an intuitive healer. With over 20 years of experience leading dismantling racism work and working with clients as a licensed clinical social worker, Johnson has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit, and heart. She has led Dismantling Racism Trainings with large corporations, small nonprofits, and community groups, including the ACLU-WA, Duke University, Google, This American Life, The Center for Equity and Inclusion, Eno River Unitarian Universalist Church, and many others. She teaches workshops nationwide. https://www.michellecjohnson.com For more show information visit:www.MariannePestana.com#bookclub #readinglist #book #bookish #MariannePestana #author #authorinterview #kmet1490am #community #connection #humanity #healing #healingtrauma #compassion #selfimprovement #selfcare #loveyourlife #compassionate #kindness

Reawaken your awareness of interbeing and reaffirm the interconnected nature of life. This meditation is based on Episode 63 with Michelle Cassandra Johnson and practices from her book 'We Heal Together', to remind us of our inherent interconnectedness and the communal nature of healing.  Practice this meditation to cultivate a deeper connection to yourself and the world we inhabit.Through this guided meditation, you'll reconnect with your understanding of interbeing and uncover the unifying threads that bind us all, reinforcing the fundamental truth that interdependence is an integral part of our existence. Discover the power of interconnectedness and the path to healing in harmony with ourselves and the world. 04:08 Meditation BeginsSupport the showFollow @howthewiseonegrows and @hollyzajur on Instagram for more and check out more offerings online.Join the ~*Dream Team*~ and get a shout-out on our next episode as you help make dreams come true!Episode sponsored by Connect Wellness. Connect Wellness empowers people with tools to connect with themselves, others, and the present moment.Be wise-- sign up to be the first to know what's next!

It's a common misconception that healing is an individual experience. While individual healing is important, community and ancestral healing are necessary as well. In this episode, we delve into the many aspects of healing with Michelle Cassandra Johnson and talk about her new book, "We Heal Together," as we uncover the continuous process of healing that embraces both personal and collective aspects of our lives. Our conversation spans from the significance of interconnection to the importance of rituals, and the power of joy in our healing journey. We explore the wisdom of our ancestors and discuss the complexity of honoring our lineage, regardless of its history. We delve into the notion that healing is more than just a personal endeavor - it's a collective one, a response to the traumas we experience and inherit. This dialogue reflects on the vital importance of connection - with ourselves, others, and the natural world around us - as a key to healing and finding balance.Journey with us as we navigate the nuances of collective healing - integration, wholeness, and interconnectedness. This episode will inspire you to explore your lineage, reclaim lost rituals, and embrace joy as a part of your healing journey. Scholarship FundOrder We Heal TogetherPre-Order Michelle's New Book, A Space for Us https://www.michellecjohnson.com/@skillinactionSupport the showFollow @howthewiseonegrows and @hollyzajur on Instagram for more and check out more offerings online.Join the ~*Dream Team*~ and get a shout-out on our next episode as you help make dreams come true!Episode sponsored by Connect Wellness. Connect Wellness empowers people with tools to connect with themselves, others, and the present moment.Be wise-- sign up to be the first to know what's next!

“We have to get to the root of the root of the root and actually heal that if we wanna create something different, and if we want to create conditions for us all to be free, that's the conversation…I think the core is the same in every book I've written thus far: Are we gonna do what we need to do to get free?” —Michelle C. Johnson In this episode, Michelle joins Tristan Katz as Tristan begins a summer podcast takeover for Anjali Rao! Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. She has led dismantling racism work in many settings for over two decades and has a background and two decades of practice as a clinical social worker. Michelle's work centers on healing from individual and collective trauma, coming back into wholeness, and aligning the mind, body, spirit, and heart. This conversation explores many themes relating to Michelle's books, including: The role of collective trauma and collective healing Disruption while staying committed to balance Feeling and honoring our individual heartbreak while challenging systems …and more Be sure to check out Michelle's most recent book, We Heal Together: Rituals & Practices for Building Community & Connection, and pre-order her upcoming book, A Space for Us: A Guide for Leading Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Affinity Groups! You can connect with Michelle through her website and Instagram—she has lots of amazing upcoming events and offerings so be sure to check those out and support her work. For those new to Tristan, you can learn more about them on their website and you'll find them on Instagram as well. Free Resources for Teachers We are grateful for the support of our podcast partner OfferingTree — an all-in-one, easy to use business platform for classes, courses, memberships and more. They also offer FREE resources and webinars for yoga teachers — check it out at www.offeringtree.com/accessibleyoga.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson joins @Banyen Books & Sound for a conversation on Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief. MICHELLE CASSANDRA JOHNSON is a social justice warrior, author, dismantling racism trainer, empath, yoga teacher and practitioner, and an intuitive healer. With over 20 years of experience leading dismantling racism work and working with clients as a licensed clinical social worker, Johnson has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit, and heart. She has led Dismantling Racism Trainings with large corporations, small nonprofits, and community groups, including the ACLU-WA, Duke University, Google, This American Life, The Center for Equity and Inclusion, Eno River Unitarian Universalist Church, Lululemon, and many others. She published Skill in Action in 2017 and teaches workshops nationwide.

Drum roll, please… we are so excited to share this inspiring conversation with Michelle Cassandra Johnson and Tema Okun. From the very beginning of this podcast, we've named Michelle's work throughout and, of course, our longtime listeners will also recall our early interview with Michelle on episode 5 (linked below). Since that initial conversation, we've dreamt of having Michelle back on with her dear friend and colleague, Tema Okun. You might know Tema's name from the now-somewhat-famous-in-certain-circles resource, the Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture article (also linked below)—for many, a guiding document outlining the insidious ways white supremacy shows up in our cultural narratives, practices, and norms. Tema's work has been pivotal, for decades, and recently gained increased attention amidst the BLM uprising of 2020. As many white folks “go back to sleep” in the aftermath of that uprising, Tema's role as a decades-long facilitator of anti-racism work models something significant: what it looks like for white folks to show up over and over again, over long periods of time, and the practice of centering love, compassion, and humanity in our efforts to challenge and dismantle systemic and cultural racism.This conversation is an invitation to do just that—to stay in relationship, to understand our roles, and to work across lines of difference to create collective liberation.Tune in, ya'll.Tema and Michelle discuss…- Visions for the future of this work and reflections on its evolution- The importance of not leaving anyone behind- What it looks like for white folks to get out of the way- Challenging individualism and ego- The complexities of lineages, legacies, and accreditation in social justice praxis- Cross-difference relationship- Boundaries as a form of self and collective-care…and so much more…Connect with Michelle & Tema:Michelle's websiteMichelle's InstagramJoin Michelle on PatreonTema's websiteTema's InstagramTema's book, The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race And Racism To People Who Don't Want To KnowResources Mentioned:ALL THE F*CK IN Episode 5: Remembering to Dream with Michelle C. JohnsonPrepping for the Apocalypse Means Building Community podcast episodeOriginal Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture article, written by Tema and colleaguesRevised White Supremacy Culture Characteristics / new website from TemaFinding Refuge podcast episode with TemaDismantling Racism Works, dRworksMichelle's next book, We Heal TogetherBe sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify, and leave us 5-star rating and review on Apple to help other folks find us.We'd also love for you to take a screenshot of where the episode resonates with you and tag us in your Instagram stories at @alltfinpodcast, @tristankatzcreative, and @laurenkayroberts.+ CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A TRANSCRIPT OF THIS RECORDINGThanks to Son of Nun and DJ Mentos for the music. You can find their work at sonofnun.bandcamp.com and djmentos.com.

Why is it so hard to put ourselves out there sometimes? What holds us back from going after our dreams? From believing in ourselves? From taking risks to fulfill our purpose or our deeper desires? Fear, yes. But WHY? Where does this fear come from? What do we stand to gain when we learn how to take up space? What do our communities, families and even the world stand to gain? How do we take up space when we're mindful of the privileges we hold and the fact that many people's voices are ignored and erased more than ours? Fortunately, Lauren K Roberts is here with us today to help us sort this out. Lauren Kay Roberts (she/her) is an anticapitalist, trauma-certified coach and facilitator who helps people from messy family backgrounds make an impact as community change agents. She spends most of her time supporting big-hearted entrepreneurs, nontraditional political leaders, and aspiring activists one-on-one and inside her community program TAKE UP SPACE. Before formalizing her coaching work in 2019, Lauren served as a policy aide to U.S. senators on Capitol Hill, senior campaign staffer, yoga teacher, communications and fundraising consultant, and grassroots organizer. In long-term recovery from complex trauma and mainstream Democratic politics, Lauren recently got certified as a Trauma Support Specialist to expand her deep commitment to healing systemic oppression within ourselves, our communities, and our culture. She is also mentored by anti-racism trainer, author, and yoga teacher Michelle Cassandra Johnson, and collaborates with colleagues to offer anti-oppression trainings. Lauren currently lives on Cheyenne [“shy-AN”], Arapaho [“uh-RAP-uh-hoe”], and Ute [“yoot”] land, also known as Denver, Colorado, with her husband Kyle and their two sweet girls – a kitty named Fiona Apple and a pit mix named Bisa. You can explore working with her by booking a Free Change Agent Support Call through her website www.laurenkayroberts.com or by clicking here. Let us know what stood out for you and what you would add to this conversation. See my contact links below or connect with Lauren via her website or Instagram. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Michelle Cassandra Johnson Tema Okun and White Supremacy Culture Lena West, business coach (ask Lauren for contact info) Brooke Monaghan Deepa Iyer and the Social Change Ecosystem Map Tristan Katz adrienne maree brown Rachel Cargle Harvard University: Implicit Association Tests All the F*ck In Podcast Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo

Just a quick update from Tristan and Lauren about when new episodes are coming your way and how we can support you in the meantime. Connect with Tristan:-Learn about Tristan's Yoga, Social Justice, & Marketing mentorship.-Join them October 6 for the workshop Creating a New Offering: from Idea to Launch.-Sign up for the program Art of Skillful Facilitation: Presencing Race, Gender, & Collective Healing, featuring Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Tristan (of course!), Stephanie Ghoston Paul, May Nicholson, and Rebby Kern. It begins October 26.-Reach out to Tristan to learn other ways they can support you as a digital strategist and equity-inclusion facilitator.-Follow Tristan on Instagram.Connect with Lauren:-Schedule a free Change Agent Support Call with Lauren to learn about working together to get messy family stuff and internalized oppression out of the way of your community change-making.-Lauren's on an Instagram break, but you can email her here. Here is a transcript of this recording.

What if your intuition guided you to move across the country, give-up your private practice and do so without knowing exactly where you were going to land and work?  Or what if it told you to buy a house sight unseen—like not even having seen a picture of it—would you?  Well, you would if you were in touch with your intuition and knew it for the powerful and life affirming source that it is.  That's exactly what my guest Michelle Cassandra Johnson did—and doing so reshaped her life in amazing ways she couldn't have imagined. Michelle and I talk making intuitive decisions, big and little, as well as daily rituals and practices that make this social just warrior and anti-racism teacher's intuition clear rather than cloudy.  All that on today's Own Your Intuition Show.SHOW NOTES:Michelle C. Johnson is an author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, intuitive healer, and Dismantling Racism trainer. She approaches her life and work from a place of empowerment, embodiment, and integration. As a dismantling racism trainer, she has worked with large corporations, non-profits, and community groups, including the ACLU-WA, Duke University, Google, This American Life, Auburn Seminary, Kripalu, Mercedes, Spotify, Lululemon, and many others. Michelle published Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a JustWorld in 2017; the second edition of Skill in Action, publishedby Shambhala Publication, comes out November 2nd, 2021. She teaches workshopsin yoga studios and community spaces nationwide. Michelle's latest book, FindingRefuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief, published by ShambhalaPublications, came out in July 2021. Her upcoming book, WeHeal Together: Rituals and Practices for Building Community and Connection,published my Shambhala Publications, is available for pre-order now and comesout in April 2023.  Michelle C Johnson: https://www.michellecjohnson.com Yes, tell me!  How the heck do I tell the difference between the voice of my intuition and my “fear-based” ideas?  Download the free audio here. What's this Own Your Intuition program that starts September 27th all about? 

We've got another Transcend Your Dichotomy crossover episode for you this week, this time featuring Tristan in conversation with Brooke back in early 2022!Tune in to hear Tristan and Brooke talk about...-Tristan's nonlinear career path, from journalism to yoga to woodworking (marketing and back-end biz, not the actual craft!) to what they offer today as an equity-inclusion facilitator and marketing strategist-How to keep following the thread of your values that will lead you to what comes next-Bringing an anti-oppression lens to their work, whatever form it's taking at the time-How community support has helped Tristan share parts of their identities, such as being trans and Jewish, that didn't initially feel safe to put out there -Breaking through the fear of losing potential income as a result of staying true to yourself (hint: it doesn't work that way!)-Being with grief and moving through burnout-And more!Connect with Tristan:-Join them October 6 for the workshop Creating a New Offering: from Idea to Launch.-Sign up for the program Art of Skillful Facilitation: Presencing Race, Gender, & Collective Healing, featuring Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Tristan (of course!), Stephanie Ghoston Paul, May Nicholson, and Rebby Kern. It begins October 26.-Reach out to Tristan to learn other ways they can support you as a digital strategist and equity-inclusion facilitator.Connect with Brooke:-Tune in to Transcend Your Dichotomy Podcast (new episodes every week!).-Learn about all the ways you can work with Brooke.Connect with Lauren:-Schedule a free call to learn how Lauren can support you with embodying the community change agent you already are.-Check out TAKE UP SPACE, an anticapitalist course and community to do the inner, relational, and collective work to impact your community — regardless of your messy family background or cultural conditioning.You can support this podcast by joining us on Patreon for as little as $2/month! Your support helps us continue to host impactful conversations, and patrons receive perks such as bonus content, video podcasts, special discounts on workshops, and so much more! Be sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify, and leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple. We'd also love for you to take a screenshot of where the episode resonates with you and tag us in your Instagram stories at @alltfinpodcast, @tristankatzcreative, and @laurenkayroberts.Here is a transcript of this episode.Thanks to Son of Nun and DJ Mentos for the music. You can find their work at sonofnun.bandcamp.com and djmentos.com.

In this Season 2 finale, Amber and Jivana discuss: Their lives and current challenges How our activism and practice is showing up for us in this moment Amber's bike reels on instagram Themes from Season 2: Community Care/Sharing Power/Community Collaboration Shift from top down teaching to community led Jivana's remixes on instagram The current contemporary yoga world is complex, shifting to local Not getting caught up in a binary of “advanced” vs gentle How Accessible Yoga is often misused to make us fit in rather than to celebrate our differences and individuality Encouraging students to find individuality in community Marginalized folks are some of our greatest innovators Your difference is your superpower Safety and inclusion in yoga Be sure to visit past episodes with our amazing guests like: Matthew Sanford, Nischala Devi, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Octavia Raheem, Jacoby Ballard, Marlysa Sullivan, Reggie Hubbard What Accessible Yoga Association is up to: New online Accessible Yoga Community, ambassadors get first access (join here) Accessible Yoga Community Studio - online studio where people can study with teacher leaders from the AY community, dedicated AY content Conference coming up, Moving from Me to We, October 14-16 Pre-conference intensive on Increasing Accessibility - Matthew Sanford, Natalie Tabilo, Ryan McGraw, Donna Noble, and Jivana Upcoming monthly themes: August: Yoga & Environmental Justice, September: Yoga & Cancer Amber's term as President of AYA's board of directors is up, Anjali Rao stepping up as our new president

In this Season 2 finale, Amber and Jivana discuss: Their lives and current challenges How our activism and practice is showing up for us in this moment Amber's bike reels on instagram Themes from Season 2: Community Care/Sharing Power/Community Collaboration Shift from top down teaching to community led Jivana's remixes on instagram The current contemporary yoga world is complex, shifting to local Not getting caught up in a binary of “advanced” vs gentle How Accessible Yoga is often misused to make us fit in rather than to celebrate our differences and individuality Encouraging students to find individuality in community Marginalized folks are some of our greatest innovators Your difference is your superpower Safety and inclusion in yoga Be sure to visit past episodes with our amazing guests like: Matthew Sanford, Nischala Devi, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Octavia Raheem, Jacoby Ballard, Marlysa Sullivan, Reggie Hubbard What Accessible Yoga Association is up to: New online Accessible Yoga Community, ambassadors get first access (join here) Accessible Yoga Community Studio - online studio where people can study with teacher leaders from the AY community, dedicated AY content Conference coming up, Moving from Me to We, October 14-16 Pre-conference intensive on Increasing Accessibility - Matthew Sanford, Natalie Tabilo, Ryan McGraw, Donna Noble, and Jivana Upcoming monthly themes: August: Yoga & Environmental Justice, September: Yoga & Cancer Amber's term as President of AYA's board of directors is up, Anjali Rao stepping up as our new president

CLICK HERE to join the VisAbleBlackwoman community for extended unedited videos of all of my interviews! Michelle Cassandra Johnson and Kerri Kelly are changing the face of antiracism training and helping folks to learn how to deal with the systems of racial oppression that disconnect us from our joy. Michelle Cassandra Johnson's Books : Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World (Second Edition) Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief Kerri Kelly's Book: American Detox: The Myth of Wellness and How we can Truly Heal Michelle & Kerri's Events: The Art of Skillful Facilitation, Detox and Refuge Retreat and more!! Thanks for listening J9 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jeanine-t-abraham/message

What do you know about trauma? Joining today to lift the lid on the weight of individual and collective trauma, is Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Activist, author, anti-racism consultant and yoga teacher - Michelle talks candidly on personal experiences, generational trauma and the whitewashing of yoga. Humans are all interconnected, not separate! Michelle shares practical tips for integrating mindfulness into your life, for the good of all society.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. This episode is offered with love, following April 16's full moon in Libra which was trine with Saturn and square to Pluto. In our conversation we explore Michelle's chart and talk about the work of maintaining connections between our spiritual selves and our human bodies. Michelle shares from her experience as an energy worker and healer, intuitive, witch, activist and guide around how to anchor in our heart's wisdom in times of stress and overwhelm; how to build resilience and connection in relational spaces; and how to navigate and attend to the wounds and dislocation of white supremacy culture. For more information on Michelle or to find out about her books, events, and other upcoming offerings check the show notes or go to https://www.michellecjohnson.com/ If you've enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends and networks. Your tips and donations support the production of this episode. Donate here You can find more guest episodes HERE. Get free monthly horoscopes and stay tuned in with the earth, skies and planets by signing up for one embodied astrology membership tiers. Sign up or find more HERE --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/embodied-astrology/message

How can we heal from the individual and collective grief we experience from the suffering on this planet? Author and teacher Michelle Cassandra Johnson shares spiritual tools that support us in experiencing our grief. We can take action with an open heart in heartbreaking times.

Healing comes when we turn toward our discomfort instead of away from it. Michelle Cassandra Johnson, author and social justice activist discusses the intersection of social justice and yoga and the importance of accepting emotional pain.  Episode Highlights:  Barriers to dismantling racism and how to break them The hazard of bypassing and how to recognize it in yourself Ways that we can investigate the different layers of who we are How to accept imperfection Tools for approaching discomfort with openness Why your yoga practice is about checking IN not checking OUT Links & Resources Follow YTR on Instagram @yoga.teacher.resource  Join the Yoga Teacher Resource email list Join the Yoga Teacher Resource Facebook Group Learn more about the Impact Club Leave a review on Itunes   Michelle's podcast Michelle's Website Win a copy of Skill in Action

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is a social justice warrior, author, Dismantling Racism trainer, empath, yoga teacher and practitioner, and intuitive healer. With more than twenty years of experience leading Dismantling Racism workshops and working with clients as a licensed clinical social worker, she has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit, and heart. Her awareness of the world through her own experience as a Black woman allows her to know, firsthand, how privilege and power operate. Michelle's website.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. She has led dismantling racism work in many settings for over two decades and has a background and two decades of practice as a clinical social worker. Michelle's work centers on healing from individual and collective trauma, coming back into wholeness and aligning the mind, body, spirit, and heart.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She has worked in several non-profits and served as an elected official and on many non-profit boards of directors. She has led Dismantling Racism Trainings with large corporations, small non-profits, and community groups, including the ACLU-WA, Duke University, Google, This American Life, The Center for Equity and Inclusion, Auburn Seminary, Kripalu, Yoga Alliance, and Lululemon, and many others. Michelle published Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World in 2017 and her newest book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief was published by Shambhala Publications in 2021. She teaches workshops in yoga studios and community spaces nationwide and is on the faculty of Off the Mat, Into the World. She was a Tedx speaker at Wake Forest University in 2019 and has been interviewed on several podcasts in which she explores the premise and foundation of Skill in Action, along with embodied approaches to racial equity work, creating ritual in justice spaces, our divine connection with nature and Spirit, and how we as a culture can heal. In 2020 she created her own podcast, Finding Refuge, which explores collective grief and liberation and serves as a reminder about all the ways we can find refuge during unsettling and uncertain times and of the resilience and joy that comes from allowing ourselves to find refuge. In This Episode:  The awareness that comes with awakening and how this relates to social justice. Why embodiment is the key to healing racism.  If White bodied folks don't have the resiliency to do this work, what will it take? Rest as a necessary tool for activism. The work that White bodied people have to do. The work that the BIPOC community has to do.  The practice of remembering and how we can have grace and compassion for those who are remembering. FULL SHOW NOTES Skill In Action Instagram Skill In Action Website Laura Chung Instagram Brittany Simone Anderson Instagram The Werk Podcast Instagram Awaken and Align Instagram Awaken and Align Website YouTube Channel Connect with Awaken and Align & The Werk: If you enjoyed the podcast and you feel called, please share it and tag us! Subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you get your podcasts. Your rating and review help more people discover it! Follow on Instagram @awakenandalign @thewerkpodcast Let us know your favorite guests, lessons, or any topic requests.

In unsettling and uncertain times, the individual and collective heartbreak that lives in both our bodies and our communities can feel insurmountable. Many of us have been conditioned by the dominant culture to not name, focus on, or wade through the difficulties in our lives. But in order to heal, we must make space for grief, prioritizing our wholeness and humanity. Social justice activist, social worker, and yoga teacher Michelle Cassandra Johnson offers the tools people need to be present and open hearted with their grief. In this episode, program innovation leader in mindfulness, trauma, and racial healing Jenée Johnson talks with Michelle about her latest book, Finding Refuge, as well as her life and work helping people to process family, community, and global grief. This episode was recorded during a live online event on August 4th, 2021. A transcript is available at ciispod.com. Many of the topics discussed on our podcast have the potential to bring up feelings and emotional responses. We hope that each episode provides opportunities for growth, and that our listeners will use them as a starting point for further introspection and growth. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health care and support, here are some resources to find immediate help and future healing: suicidepreventionlifeline.org sfsuicide.org ciis.edu/counseling-and-acupuncture-clinics

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. She has led dismantling racism work in many settings for over two decades and has a background and two decades of practice as a clinical social worker. Michelle's work centers on healing from individual and collective trauma, coming back into wholeness and aligning the mind, body, spirit, and heart.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She has worked in several non-profits and served as an elected official and on many non-profit boards of directors. She has led Dismantling Racism Trainings with large corporations, small non-profits, and community groups, including the ACLU-WA, Duke University, Google, This American Life, The Center for Equity and Inclusion, Auburn Seminary, Kripalu, Yoga Alliance, and Lululemon, and many others. Michelle published Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World in 2017 and her newest book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief was published by Shambhala Publications in 2021. She teaches workshops in yoga studios and community spaces nationwide and is on the faculty of Off the Mat, Into the World. She was a Tedx speaker at Wake Forest University in 2019 and has been interviewed on several podcasts in which she explores the premise and foundation of Skill in Action, along with embodied approaches to racial equity work, creating ritual in justice spaces, our divine connection with nature and Spirit, and how we as a culture can heal. In 2020 she created her own podcast, Finding Refuge, which explores collective grief and liberation and serves as a reminder about all the ways we can find refuge during unsettling and uncertain times and of the resilience and joy that comes from allowing ourselves to find refuge. In This Episode:  The awareness that comes with awakening and how this relates to social justice. Why embodiment is the key to healing racism.  If White bodied folks don't have the resiliency to do this work, what will it take? Rest as a necessary tool for activism. The work that White bodied people have to do. The work that the BIPOC community has to do.  The practice of remembering and how we can have grace and compassion for those who are remembering. FULL SHOW NOTES Laura Chung Instagram Brittany Simone Anderson Instagram The Werk Podcast Instagram Awaken and Align Instagram Awaken and Align Website YouTube Channel Connect with Awaken and Align & The Werk: If you enjoyed the podcast and you feel called, please share it and tag us! Subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you get your podcasts. Your rating and review help more people discover it! Follow on Instagram @awakenandalign @thewerkpodcast Let us know your favorite guests, lessons, or any topic requests.

Author Michelle Cassandra Johnson discusses collective grief

Michelle Cassandra Johnson joins Jivana to help answer the question: How do we realize a world in which we can all be free? An author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, intuitive healer, and Dismantling Racism trainer, Michelle approaches her life and work from a place of empowerment, embodiment, and integration. Whether in an anti-oppression training, yoga space, intuitive healing session, or this podcast, the heart, healing, and wholeness are at the center of how Michelle approaches her work in the world. She and Jivana consider how our individual choices affect our community's wellbeing and what it means to be in service to each other. Michelle reminds us of the importance of maintaining our own spiritual practice when showing up for the collective good and teaches us how to connect to the wisdom of our ancestors.Learn more about Michelle and her trainings.Purchase Michelle's new book Finding Refuge.Purchase Michelle's renowned book Skill in Action.Learn more about the book.Learn more about Jivana.Pre-order your copy of Yoga Revolution at Shambala, Amazon, or wherever books are sold.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. Her new book is Finding Refuge: Heartwork for Healing Collective Grief.  Read our review of Finding Refuge from the July/August 2021 issue of Spirituality & Health.  Rabbi Rami and Johnson start by defining racism throughout history. They explore ethnocentrism, white privilege, generational trauma, radicalizing yoga, the problematic nature of “color-blindness,” and more.   “We are in physical bodies and yet we are not our bodies. But we need to recognize what our bodies are doing to other bodies as we remember our divinity. … We can hold both of these at the same time.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. Her new book is Finding Refuge: Heartwork for Healing Collective Grief.  Read our review of Finding Refuge from the July/August 2021 issue of Spirituality & Health.  Rabbi Rami and Johnson start by defining racism throughout history. They explore ethnocentrism, white privilege, generational trauma, radicalizing yoga, the problematic nature of “color-blindness,” and more.   “We are in physical bodies and yet we are not our bodies. But we need to recognize what our bodies are doing to other bodies as we remember our divinity. … We can hold both of these at the same time.”

This week, my dear friend, Michelle Cassandra Johnson is back to help us tend to the shattered parts of ourselves so that we can embrace our wholeness and do the work of healing the collective heart. In the podcast, she says, what's needed in this moment isn't to get back to normal or to get back to work or to get back being busy and productive. What's needed is to acknowledge what we've gone through and what has been lost. We must feel in order to heal. Her new book, Finding Refuge: Heartwork for Healing Collective Grief, is a radical invitation for those of us who feel brokenhearted, helpless, confused, powerless, and desperate in this moment to embrace the lost art of grieving as an essential component of healing. This book moved me and made me feel new depths and dimensions of my grief that I honestly didn't know was there. It made me reflect on how I, like many others, have attempted to manage my grief behind closed doors - alone and isolated. But Michelle reminds us that we don't grieve in isolation in the same way that we don't heal in isolation. This podcast is a beautiful and joyful reminder that despite the difficult and uncertain times we are facing - we are resilient together and have the capacity to meet this moment with an open heart that can heal us forward. Connect with Michelle Cassandra JohnsonVisit her websiteFollow her on Instagram at @skillinactionBuy her book, Finding Refuge: Heartwork for Healing Collective GriefIf this episode resonates with you, we'd love for you to take a screenshot and tag us on Instagram stories @ctznwell, @kkellyyoga and @skillinactionJoin CTZNWELL on PatreonFollow CTZNWELL on InstagramSign up for CTZNWELL's weekly email WELLREAD+ Transcription(read transcription here)

We each have maybe a handful of teachers in our lives that fundamentally shift the way we see or experience— Michelle Cassandra Johnson has been one of those teachers for me.Michelle is a true embodiment of grace, fire, compassion, and grit, and is a radiant example of how to to show up with skillfulness and heart in a dysfunctional world.Her new book Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief was released just this week, and I am so excited to dive into and savor it starting next weekend when I've carved out some special time and space to do so.I hope you enjoy this conversation with Michelle, and that if you arent' already familiar with her books and other offerings, that this will be the first of many times you get to experience her gifts.“Our culture conditions us to notice what is going on from the head up and not from the throat and heart down. The only way out is through, by way of the feelings. If we are going to make social change, we need to cultivate a practice of feeling... When one connects with their feelings as yoga teaches us to do, one can connect with their heart. If one is connected with their heart, they have the opportunity to be changed and to shift their perspective. They have the opportunity to feel the pain of living in a world that is designed to break the spirit through violence, oppression, and injustice.”— Michelle Johnson (from Skill in Action)About Michelle Cassandra Johnson (she/her)Michelle is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. She has led dismantling racism work in many settings for over two decades and has a background and two decades of practice as a clinical social worker. Michelle's work centers on healing from individual and collective trauma, coming back into wholeness and aligning the mind, body, spirit, and heart. She published Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World in 2017 and her newest book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief was published by Shambhala Publications in 2021.Michelle teaches workshops in yoga studios and community spaces nationwide and is on the faculty of Off the Mat, Into the World. In 2020 she created her own podcast, Finding Refuge, which explores collective grief and liberation and serves as a reminder about all the ways we can find refuge during unsettling and uncertain times and of the resilience and joy that comes from allowing ourselves to find refuge.Links + Additional Resources:View these show notes on our website at https://gaiacenter.co/blog/bodyful-06Follow Michelle on Instagram @skillinactionFinding Refuge book and 40-day sadhana (sliding scale pricing)Finding Refuge podcastSkill in Action bookMichelle's upcoming eventsMichelle's race equity training

We each have maybe a handful of teachers in our lives that fundamentally shift the way we see or experience— Michelle Cassandra Johnson has been one of those teachers for me.Michelle is a true embodiment of grace, fire, compassion, and grit, and is a radiant example of how to to show up with skillfulness and heart in a dysfunctional world.Her new book Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief was released just this week, and I am so excited to dive into and savor it starting next weekend when I've carved out some special time and space to do so.I hope you enjoy this conversation with Michelle, and that if you arent' already familiar with her books and other offerings, that this will be the first of many times you get to experience her gifts.“Our culture conditions us to notice what is going on from the head up and not from the throat and heart down. The only way out is through, by way of the feelings. If we are going to make social change, we need to cultivate a practice of feeling... When one connects with their feelings as yoga teaches us to do, one can connect with their heart. If one is connected with their heart, they have the opportunity to be changed and to shift their perspective. They have the opportunity to feel the pain of living in a world that is designed to break the spirit through violence, oppression, and injustice.”— Michelle Johnson (from Skill in Action)About Michelle Cassandra Johnson (she/her)Michelle is an activist, social justice warrior, author, anti-racism consultant and trainer, intuitive healer, and yoga teacher and practitioner. She has led dismantling racism work in many settings for over two decades and has a background and two decades of practice as a clinical social worker. Michelle's work centers on healing from individual and collective trauma, coming back into wholeness and aligning the mind, body, spirit, and heart. She published Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World in 2017 and her newest book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief was published by Shambhala Publications in 2021.Michelle teaches workshops in yoga studios and community spaces nationwide and is on the faculty of Off the Mat, Into the World. In 2020 she created her own podcast, Finding Refuge, which explores collective grief and liberation and serves as a reminder about all the ways we can find refuge during unsettling and uncertain times and of the resilience and joy that comes from allowing ourselves to find refuge.Links + Additional Resources:View these show notes on our website at https://gaiacenter.co/blog/bodyful-06Follow Michelle on Instagram @skillinactionFinding Refuge book and 40-day sadhana (sliding scale pricing)Finding Refuge podcastSkill in Action bookMichelle's upcoming eventsMichelle's race equity training

Join me as Yoga teacher, beautycounter representative and digital content creator, Holly Wielkoszewski, and I discuss our shared core value of SUSTAINABILITY and how it is a guidepost for running our businesses with integrity. We talk about the role story-telling (the story we tell ourselves, and our ability to rewrite our stories) plays in our healing. Sustainability touching on so many topics in our conversation including antiracism, hustle culture, & make up, just to name a few. Learn more about Holly at http://hollyfromthebigsky.com/ Michelle Cassandra Johnson: michellecjohnson.com At Home in Your Body: groundedhere.com/yourbody Instagram: @fearlessselflove @groundedhere Email: andrea@groundedhere.com

Activist, author, teacher and healer Michelle Cassandra Johnson joins Tracee Stanley for a pertinent and poignant conversation on grief and healing. Michelle discusses her upcoming book Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief and her definition of collective grief. Michelle and Tracee talk through the presence of exhaustion in activist spaces in this past year following immense trauma. They also consider how to be in community to imagine hope and what is possible, and the radical gift of dreaming. They explore losing the illusion of control, and rituals for grief. Join them for a discussion on liberation in a time of deep mourning, making room for optimism and hope.

Michelle Cassandra Johnson shares about knowing your capacity and creating space to grieve in a community of support. You'll also hear about: Michelle shares her experience of being stopped by the police for no reason, other than being Black How we have been conditioned to grieve in isolation On finding liberation and freedom in grief  TV as medicine   ♥♥♥ Join The Earth Speak Collective Membership! Join like-hearted folks in a sacred container and community where you'll: Connect deeply to yourself, others, nature & spirit Learn to trust your intuition Activate your Earth magic Expand your healing & divination skills Put your intuition into practice in everyday life Stop feeling lonely on your spiritual path Embody & express your creative power & truths Experience safe space without agenda or judgment   When you join the Collective, you get access to all of our past workshops, any live workshops happening while you're a member, live weekly energetic reset calls, monthly community rituals, all the secret episodes, member-run meetups to explore magical topics, and a lively members-only forum (that's not on FB!). ▶▶▶ Learn more and sign up for the Collective membership here: https://www.earthspeak.love/collective ***** Michelle C. Johnson is an author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, intuitive healer, and Dismantling Racism trainer. She approaches her life and work from a place of empowerment, embodiment, and integration. Michelle published Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World in 2017; she teaches workshops in yoga studios and community spaces nationwide. Michelle's new book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief, published by Shambhala Publications, comes out on July 13th, 2021. Whether in an anti-oppression training, yoga space, individual or group intuitive healing session, the heart, healing, and wholeness are at the center of how Michelle approaches all of her work in the world.   In this episode, we talk about: Responding to heartbreak Remembering your roots, and bringing forth your medicine Michelle shares some stories of personal grief How Michelle's newest book was guided by Spirit Integrating grief into healing work Why we're resistant to grief On being conditioned to grieve in isolation Finding freedom and liberation through grief On calling in support from our guides and helpers Why our capacity to hold grief is limited How the Spirit can hold grief, even if our body cannot On understanding your capacity for grief Hypervigilance and why BIPOC folks need more space for rest How our capacity shifts, depending on the identities we embody On identifying what is grief and how it shows up Michelle shares her experience of being stopped by the police for no reason Grieving for the end of our life Acknowledging grief and asking -  is there heartbreak today? On permission to grieve Cry-constipation On being witnessed and grieving in a community of support TV as medicine Seeking support for grief and depression The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effect of unprocessed grief  Michelle shares about the upcoming 2nd edition of her book Skill in Action  And so much more! Bonus Secret Episode! Get the grounding and clearing meditation with Michelle Cassandra Johnson at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret. Links: Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Learn more about Michelle's offerings at www.michellecjohnson.com Connect with Michelle on Instagram @skillinaction // https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/ Connect with Michelle on Facebook @skillinaction Pre-order Michell's new book Finding Refuge Get the secret episodes at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret     References: 23andme https://www.23andme.com/ Finding Refuge Book https://www.finding-refuge.com/ Shambhala Publications https://www.shambhala.com     Usher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_usher Trayvon Martin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trayvon_Martin Sharmonic work https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism Skill in Action https://www.skill-in-action.com/the-book Healing in Community Online Summit https://www.skill-in-action.com/the-book Yoga International https://yogainternational.com/ This is Us https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_Us DSM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-5 Finding Refuge Podcast https://www.michellecjohnson.com/finding-refuge-podcast Skill in Action 2nd Edition https://www.shambhala.com/skill-in-action-15838.html Sādhanā https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%81dhan%C4%81 Rohini Moradi https://www.magicinclined.com/ Rohini on the Earth Speak Podcast https://www.earthspeak.love/shows-1/rohini-moradi-sweeney-31 Akashic Records Workshop https://www.earthspeak.love/akashic-records Bhagavad Gita https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita Dharma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma Michelle's Intuitive Healing offerings https://www.michellecjohnson.com/intuitive-healing Subscribe to Michelle's newsletter https://www.michellecjohnson.com/subscribe Earth Speak Ep14 https://www.earthspeak.love/shows-1/michellejohnson14     ► Leave us a written review on iTunes, and get shouted out on the show! Theme music is “It's Easier” by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org/ and “Meeting Again” by Emily Sprague  https://mlesprg.info/ ► Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Follow Earth Speak on Instagram and tag us when you share @earthspeak https://www.instagram.com/earthspeak

Michelle Cassandra Johnson shares about knowing your capacity and creating space to grieve in a community of support. You'll also hear about: Michelle shares her experience of being stopped by the police for no reason, other than being Black How we have been conditioned to grieve in isolation On finding liberation and freedom in grief  TV as medicine   ♥♥♥ Join The Earth Speak Collective Membership! Join like-hearted folks in a sacred container and community where you'll: Connect deeply to yourself, others, nature & spirit Learn to trust your intuition Activate your Earth magic Expand your healing & divination skills Put your intuition into practice in everyday life Stop feeling lonely on your spiritual path Embody & express your creative power & truths Experience safe space without agenda or judgment   When you join the Collective, you get access to all of our past workshops, any live workshops happening while you're a member, live weekly energetic reset calls, monthly community rituals, all the secret episodes, member-run meetups to explore magical topics, and a lively members-only forum (that's not on FB!). ▶▶▶ Learn more and sign up for the Collective membership here: https://www.earthspeak.love/collective ***** Michelle C. Johnson is an author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, intuitive healer, and Dismantling Racism trainer. She approaches her life and work from a place of empowerment, embodiment, and integration. Michelle published Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World in 2017; she teaches workshops in yoga studios and community spaces nationwide. Michelle's new book, Finding Refuge: Heart Work for Healing Collective Grief, published by Shambhala Publications, comes out on July 13th, 2021. Whether in an anti-oppression training, yoga space, individual or group intuitive healing session, the heart, healing, and wholeness are at the center of how Michelle approaches all of her work in the world.   In this episode, we talk about: Responding to heartbreak Remembering your roots, and bringing forth your medicine Michelle shares some stories of personal grief How Michelle's newest book was guided by Spirit Integrating grief into healing work Why we're resistant to grief On being conditioned to grieve in isolation Finding freedom and liberation through grief On calling in support from our guides and helpers Why our capacity to hold grief is limited How the Spirit can hold grief, even if our body cannot On understanding your capacity for grief Hypervigilance and why BIPOC folks need more space for rest How our capacity shifts, depending on the identities we embody On identifying what is grief and how it shows up Michelle shares her experience of being stopped by the police for no reason Grieving for the end of our life Acknowledging grief and asking -  is there heartbreak today? On permission to grieve Cry-constipation On being witnessed and grieving in a community of support TV as medicine Seeking support for grief and depression The physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effect of unprocessed grief  Michelle shares about the upcoming 2nd edition of her book Skill in Action  And so much more! Bonus Secret Episode! Get the grounding and clearing meditation with Michelle Cassandra Johnson at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret. Links: Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Learn more about Michelle's offerings at www.michellecjohnson.com Connect with Michelle on Instagram @skillinaction // https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/ Connect with Michelle on Facebook @skillinaction Pre-order Michell's new book Finding Refuge Get the secret episodes at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret     References: 23andme https://www.23andme.com/ Finding Refuge Book https://www.finding-refuge.com/ Shambhala Publications https://www.shambhala.com     Usher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_usher Trayvon Martin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trayvon_Martin Sharmonic work https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism Skill in Action https://www.skill-in-action.com/the-book Healing in Community Online Summit https://www.skill-in-action.com/the-book Yoga International https://yogainternational.com/ This is Us https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_Us DSM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-5 Finding Refuge Podcast https://www.michellecjohnson.com/finding-refuge-podcast Skill in Action 2nd Edition https://www.shambhala.com/skill-in-action-15838.html Sādhanā https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%81dhan%C4%81 Rohini Moradi https://www.magicinclined.com/ Rohini on the Earth Speak Podcast https://www.earthspeak.love/shows-1/rohini-moradi-sweeney-31 Akashic Records Workshop https://www.earthspeak.love/akashic-records Bhagavad Gita https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita Dharma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma Michelle's Intuitive Healing offerings https://www.michellecjohnson.com/intuitive-healing Subscribe to Michelle's newsletter https://www.michellecjohnson.com/subscribe Earth Speak Ep14 https://www.earthspeak.love/shows-1/michellejohnson14     ► Leave us a written review on iTunes, and get shouted out on the show! Theme music is “It's Easier” by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org/ and “Meeting Again” by Emily Sprague  https://mlesprg.info/ ► Join the Earth Speak Collective Membership at https://www.earthspeak.love/collective Follow Earth Speak on Instagram and tag us when you share @earthspeak https://www.instagram.com/earthspeak

Episode 62 Philosophy and Inclusive Yoga with Trixie “When we look at yoga and the values of yoga from an intelligent and empathetic place we can free the western yoga world from white privilege and actually contribute and be part of a true, freed humanity. Now, that is what I call freedom.“ Trixie.I found Trixie on the gram and I was really intrigued by her account and what she shares there. A mix of philosophy, activism, politics, yoga and yoga inquiry. Asking some really intelligent questions, using such an open approach. The combination of her work in philosophy which is very much in the head and her yoga path which is very much in the heart. .We speak about AHIMSA, INCLUSIVE YOGA, spiritual bypassing, Trixie's goal to create more awareness on a social and political level through yoga and introduce people to the rich world of yoga philosophy and through this philosophy make a positive impact on the world and everyone's well being. .Have a listen! Share! Leave a review! Reach out! We love, love, love that! SHOWNOTES: Find Trixie here @inclusieveyogaWe also mention: SKILL IN ACTION a book and instagram account by Michelle Cassandra Johnson@skillinaction she is an amazing resource, runs her own workshops. Check her out! @yogaisdeadpodcast love them! ALSO CHECK! @susannabarkataki @radicaldarshan

In this episode I sit down and chat with Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Michelle is a social justice warrior, author, dismantling racism trainer, empath, yoga teacher and practitioner, and an intuitive healer. With over 20 years of experience leading dismantling racism work and working with clients as a licensed clinical social worker, Michelle has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit, and heart. Her awareness of the world through her own experience as a Black woman allows her to know, first-hand, how privilege and power operate. 

Michelle Cassandra Johnsonis a social justice warrior, author, Dismantling Racism trainer, empath, yoga teacher and practitioner, and intuitive healer. With more than twenty years of experience leading Dismantling Racism workshops and working with clients as a licensed clinical social worker, she has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit, and heart. Her awareness of the world through her own experience as a Black woman allows her to know, firsthand, how privilege and power operate.   Michelle’s website.   Download the Circles Live app for free and meditate with Shannon.   Shannon’s book Trust Your Truth is now available everywhere books are sold, and you can now download the audiobook, narrated by Shannon on Audible. 

White nationalism is not new in America, but the mainstream resurgence in recent years has been troubling for many. This week, we bring on two experts to offer solutions.

Kennae Miller (she/her) was born in Frankfurt, Germany in a strong military family and was raised on Arapaho and Cheyenne Indigenous land (now known as Colorado Springs, CO) where her father completed his military career and her family planted their roots. While living in Colorado and being exposed to many different experiences and forms of art she discovered yoga as a junior in high school. Initially lured by the invitation of a free class for relaxation as she navigated her teenage years she enjoyed the calmness of mind a yoga practice provided for her. It was only after the beginning of her parent’s difficult divorce was she able to observe and benefit in different aspects of life, from focus to self-inquisition, stemming from a yoga practice. Kennae credits the practice of yoga as the only place she could go to just be herself and relax her mind. In Spring 2005 she enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves and as she traveled around the country, found stability in continuing her yoga practice. As Kennae approached motherhood in 2012, she dreamed of having more freedom outside of wearing a uniform where her individuality and desire to serve others could be of better use. She recalls in 2013 Tweeting, that she would become a Yoga Instructor and own a yoga studio. In 2015 she completed her first Yoga Alliance compliant 200-hour teacher training at Hawaii Yoga Institute on the island of O’ahu, Honolulu, Hawaii. She has since furthered her knowledge base by training with Dr. Gail Parker on Restorative Yoga for Race-Based Trauma Injury, Gentle Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra with Tracee Stanley and Chanti Tacoronte-Perez, and Reiki. She has also attended CTZN Summit and Wanderlust Wellspring with Kerri Kelly, Seane Corn, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams, and Marianne Williamson and Tracee Stanley, which bridges the wellness world and activism. As a yoga instructor or what Kennae likes to call ‘Space holding’, she enjoys sharing her truth, of difficulties and triumphs, and what she has learned on her journey to hold space and encourage others along their journey. Kennae believes as she continues to grow as an individual through her personal practice, she has been able to learn and experience more of all yoga as to offer. Her goal now is liberation and to become a good ancestor by holding sacred and brave space for others to reconnect with their truth and live it daily on and off their yoga mat to transform their lives and thus the world around them. Kennae is a giver that enjoys pouring back into people and the community through her time, talents, and skills. Because of this Kennae is a strong believer in connecting with nature through urban farming, reconnecting with ancestral and cultural practices, community skills classes and yoga experiences for each individual. In the future, Kennae strives to further her training to better serve the members of her community through the use of Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, essential oils, Reiki, and other holistic healing therapies. Kennae is the founder of Transformation Yoga, a community of yogis utilizing tools of yoga and meditation to serve marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities in (Kusso land) South Carolina with a framework of anti-racism and oppression and the reduction of harm. Kennae is also the co-founder of Enough, where inclusively they bridge yoga, racial and social justice together to provide funding and awareness to local issues and grassroots organizations owned and led by BPOC. Transformation Yoga Studio opened in December 2019 to provide a home and brave space for healing and transformative work on a person, community and collective level. In this very special episode Kennae and I talk about:- Living Liberated- Modeling Liberation for Others- Control vs. Liberation- Embodying Liberation- Paying homage to the Ancestors - What it Means to be a Living Ancestor - The Meaning of Yoga- Transformation Yoga- Prioritizing Healing and Self-Care- The Power of Journaling- Cancel Culture-WarriorshipYou can connect with Kennae Miller online at transformationyogasc.com or on Instagram @transformationyogascEnjoy the episode!Podcast music by Charles Kurtz+ Read transcript

Somehow, some way, we made it to February. Whew. Welcome. In this mini episode Kala gushes over the weekend-long Yoga & Trauma C.E. Course that Yoga to Cope and RecUniversal co-led in San Diego with 10 lovely yoga teachers. It was our very first live pilot program and to be honest, I can't believe it happened and can't believe it's already over! It was an honor and a joy, and it won't be the last so stay tuned for future offerings! As well, Kala dives into Black History Month by discussing the tumultuous time we continue to live in, under layers of COVID-19 fear, political messiness, and social justice conversations and activity hundreds of years in the making. This month we will be reading "Skill in Action" by Michelle Cassandra Johnson, and Kala shares some excerpts from the book that we hope will entice you to join in and read along this month for a tiny yet powerful book. It's so timely, and as Johnson writes, in order to effect change we must "be willing to make a mess". YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE. Website: yogatocope.org Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope Book Club Group: www.facebook.com/groups/299848227786272 Donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x…I0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

What is it about conversation that changes us and the world around us? Is there a meditative quality to discussion that has the potential to shift aspects of our character and relationships that might not otherwise be noticed or moved? Our chat with Rane Bowen and Jo Stewart, hosts of The Flow Artists podcast shed some internal and external light on these questions! It was an opportunity to dive deeper into how it feels to speak out loud about the things that are important and sometimes unknown and how talking, like yoga, has the power to connect, inspire and enrich us in ways we might not always consider.Resources & MentionsGarden of Yoga https://gardenofyoga.com.au/:The Flow Artists Podcast: https://podcast.flowartists.com/Thrive Northside https://thrivenorthside.com/Rane’s response to being named one of the 20 Yogis of Color to watch in 2020 - https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/videos/ranes-big-idea/https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/videos/list/Guide for applying for grants https://thrivenorthside.com/tips/grant-writing-tips-and-strategiesMycelum Made https://thrivenorthside.com/stories/mycelium-madePandemic Portraits https://www.instagram.com/pandemicportraits_au/Alli Black https://www.alliblack.com/Accessible Yoga Training. https://www.accessibleyogatraining.com/Jivana Heyman: https://www.accessibleyogatraining.com/about-usChair Yoga with Claire Cuneen. https://www.getfitwhereyousit.com.au/teachertrainingMichelle Cassandra Johnson: Skill in Action book. https://www.michellecjohnson.com/skill-in-action-book20 Yoga Teachers of Color to Watch in 2020 list https://www.yogawallanyc.com/blog/2020/1/9/20-yoga-teachers-of-color-to-watch-in-2020Dr Gail Parker: Race Based trauma: https://podcast.flowartists.com/episodes/dr-gail-parker/

To kick of 2021, Tristan (they/them) and Lauren (she/her) check in with each other about the boundaries they're each setting in their businesses and beyond, how they're centering joy and rest in the new year, and — yep — MONEY STUFF (eek!).We both had a bit of a vulnerability hangover after we recorded this episode, and we know that means that you might need to hear it, too!Are you an entrepreneur ready to get your business aligned with social justice values in 2021? Join Tristan and Lauren, along with their friend, anti-racism educator Charlie Redd (she/her), for Social Justice for Entrepreneurs, a 6-session workshop series starting January 12. Save your spot here!Teachers and resources mentioned:Daje James (check out our episode with Daje here!)Michelle Cassandra Johnson (check out our episode with Michelle here!)Dr. Kate Tomas (an upcoming podcast guest!)Monica Cadena (another upcoming guest!)Charlie and Lauren's Anti-Racism for Wellness Leaders courseFull Focus PlannerMany Moons Lunar PlannerHere's where you can view a transcript of this episode of ALL THE F*CK IN.You can support this podcast by subscribing on Apple or Spotify, and leaving a 5-star rating and review on Apple. Thanks to Son of Nun and DJ Mentos for the music. You can find their work at sonofnun.bandcamp.com and djmentos.com. You can also support a mutual aid fund they're involved with, Tubman House Coronavirus Support, at this link and specify Tubman House Coronavirus Support in the "special instructions to seller" field. We'd also love for you to take a screenshot of where the episode resonates with you and tag us in your Instagram stories at @alltfinpodcast, @tristankatzcreative, and @laurenkayroberts.

Yoga is a practice that nearly everyone buys into. It’s promise of flexibility and adaptability are a powerful and enticing invitation to engage in the uncomfortable for a greater good. But what does it mean to LIVE your yoga? And how can yoga be a tool for changing not just our bodies but our world? Maria and Chara explore these ideas with Kristine Weber and Kiesha Battles, two courageous yoga teachers who have created a project aimed at offering yoga’s ancient principles for ethical living as a lens, and tools for transforming racism and the landscape of social justice from the inside out!Kristine and Keisha’s course: Yoga Ethics For Transforming Racism: https://go.subtleyoga.com/transformation-1Keisha Battles: https://www.kieshabattles.com/Kristine Weber: https://subtleyoga.com/kristine-kaoverii-weber/Mentions:Maya Breuer: http://www.mayabreuer.com/Course: https://kripalu.org/resources/finding-my-seat-circle-yoga-retreat-women-colorKriya Yoga: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/yoga-sutra-2-1-translation-and-commentaryDave Charlton and Ranju Roy: Embodying the Yoga Sutra: https://embodyingtheyogasutra.com/Yoga Alliance session on Ahimsa: https://www.yogaalliance.org/Get_Involved/COVID-19_Resources/Archived_COVID-19_Workshops_and_Events/CE_Workshop_Yoga_as_a_Living_Practice_AhimsaWhite Ally: by Sonia Roberts: https://www.awakenedlovewarrior.com/products/white-ally-a-guide-to-cultivating-a-deeply-spiritual-antiracism-practice-signed-copy-by-sonia-robertsKelley Palmer: “one of Keisha’s teachers of the yamas and niyamasWebsite: https://peacefilledmama.com/about/Course on Accessible yoga training site: https://www.accessibleyogatraining.com/race-equityBlack Teacher’s Yoga Alliance: https://blackyogateachersalliance.org/Desikachar’s book “The Heart of Yoga” :https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Yoga-Developing-Personal-Practice/dp/089281764X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+heart+of+yoga&qid=1602275216&sr=8-1Debra Adele’s book: The Yamas and Niyamas https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/7057515-the-yamas-niyamas-exploring-yoga-s-ethical-practiceAmplify and Activate: Jasmine Hines. https://www.amplifyandactivate.com/about-usGeorge Floyd: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/george-floydBreonna Taylor: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/breonna-taylorState of the Union:https://stateofunionyoga.com/Race in America: https://otmtraining.offthematintotheworld.org/p/race-in-america-2020Georg Feurstein: https://www.traditionalyogastudies.com/Michelle Cassandra Johnson: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/

In this special episode of ALL THE F*CK IN, Tristan (they/them) and Lauren (she/her) interview their mentor, collaborator, and one of their absolute favorite humans Michelle Cassandra Johnson.Michelle is a social justice warrior, author, dismantling racism trainer, yoga teacher, and intuitive healer with more than 20 years of experience leading dismantling racism work and working with clients as a licensed clinical social worker. She has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit, and heart, and her awareness of the world through her own experience as a Black woman allows her to know firsthand how privilege and power operate.Tune in to hear about…Michelle's career path and what led her to the work she does todayHer experience as a dismantling racism trainer and how she brings this into yoga and wellness spacesHow she works with rituals to stay connected to her intuitionWhat it looks like to operate as an entrepreneur with many different offeringsAll things money and abundance in social change workAnd more!A note on content: Self-care is radical and non-negotiable in the work of justice AND entrepreneurship. Some of these conversations include mention of trauma, both from a systemic and often racialized perspective, and in relationship to experiences like sexual violence. We hope you do what you need to take care of yourself while listening, even if that means pausing and returning to an episode at another time or skipping it altogether. Here's where you can view a transcript of this episode of ALL THE F*CK IN.Learn more about Michelle's work:Visit Michelle's websiteCheck out her trainings calendarListen to her podcastGet Skill in ActionPreorder Finding RefugeFollow Michelle on InstagramYou can support this podcast by subscribing on Apple or Spotify, and leaving a 5-star rating and review on Apple. Thanks to Son of Nun and DJ Mentos for the music. You can find their work at sonofnun.bandcamp.com and djmentos.com. You can also support a mutual aid fund they're involved with, Tubman House Coronavirus Support, at this link and specify Tubman House Coronavirus Support in the "special instructions to seller" field.We'd also love for you to take a screenshot of where the episode resonates with you and tag us in your Instagram stories at @alltfinpodcast, @skillinaction, @tristankatzcreative, and @laurenkayroberts.

Create a Circle of Protection and Courage Here's a meditation I've been sharing in class. I'm sharing with you, while acknowledging what was offered to me by teacher and mentor, Michelle Cassandra Johnson: social justice activist • anti-racism trainer • author • yoga teacher. https://www.michellecjohnson.com/ Many of these words are hers, and the framework is hers. She has given permission to adapt the prayer. I am seeking no gains from sharing this but to be in community with you. Each of us is finding our way to contribute to the greater good. This is my current personal practice leading up to the 2020 US election and beyond, for as long as necessary. This is my way of showing up in integrity right now. Of course I made a voting plan. When I see injustice, I will be standing up and speaking up. This meditation is how I'm remaining centered and in community despite our physical distance. Please join us, to add your power and courage to the circle. Free Meditation Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XWT28uez_F6lew8XXlQM0Bd3lVPrFO16/view?usp=sharing

Humor me real quick, imagine talking to a fellow female coworker about menstruation and masterbation, and then getting fired for it. That's just one part of this episode. Today we are talking about the problematic behemoth that is COREPOWER YOGA, with a very special guest, Erica Jacobs. Erica is a movement teacher, writer and a meaning maker in Los Angeles with a knack for taking everything personally and dancing like everyone is watching. As a survivor or sexual, verbal, psychological and emotional abuse, Erica has explored the deeper layers of trauma through the lens of Eating Psychology, 12-Step Recovery and Anti-Racism, all in an effort to discover what “hurt people hurt people” truly means on a cultural, historical and interpersonal level. An extroverted introvert, Erica can usually be found taking a mid-day long drive along the California Coast, armed with a great playlist and an even greater desire for truth, connection, sushi and plenty of alone time. Follow Erica on IG @whats_eating_erica_j and listen to her podcast What's Eating Erica Jacobs and on Spotify too! In this podcast we mention Skill in Action by Michelle Cassandra Johnson. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hold-the-granola/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hold-the-granola/support

A bit of wisdom from Michelle Cassandra Johnson and Susanna Barkataki --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jeanine-t-abraham/message

Our final episode of the Namaste Bitches Trilogy is our Extended Greenroom Conversation. We had so much in our first Greenroom, we didn't  have time to ask my last two questions! So I invited special guests Michelle Cassandra Johnson, LeoRising and Susanna Barkataki back to deconstruct the entertainment business and Yoga/wellness business connection. Michelle Cassandra Johnson - Author Skill in Action:Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World Susanna Barkataki - Author Honor Yoga's Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice LeoRising  - Yoga Guide leorisingyoga.com Music by DJ Nickodemus www.sonderwheelrecordings.com Coverart: Sabina Espinet Art @usgamesinc --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jeanine-t-abraham/message

It's our first episode! I brought on my dear friend, Ava Moreno and we are chopping it up about VIRTUAL YOGA. Ava is 500 E-RYT, a certified personal trainer, movement specialist, professional dancer and teacher of dance & movement for the past 15 years. In this episode, Ava and I examine yoga at present and how it has been effected by COVID-19. State-wide shutdowns and a tumultuous landscape in the US have put yoga businesses under a microscope. Both myself and Ava have fully transitioned our business online and want to unpack that with you in this pilot episode. Check out Ava on her website and follow her on Instagram @avamoreno ✨ Mentions from this episode: RØDE Go Wireless Mic, Blue Yeti Mic, Tejal and Jesal of Yoga Is Dead Podcast, Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice by Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Thanks for listening! Subscribe for future episodes! XOXO, TL --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hold-the-granola/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hold-the-granola/support

The intelligent edge yoga podcast was produced by Kathryn Anne Flynn; author of Teach Kind, Clear Yoga: A Guide for Practitioners and Teachers. To learn more about Kathryn, practice online, or find retreats and training opportunities, visit kathrynanneflynn.comShow Notes:A conversation sensing into the practice of accountability and repair with Mitzi Melaine Wilson. We discuss racism,  wisdom on the resourcing power of yoga, as well as exclusive spaces in yoga. We also arrive at the exclusionary space of yoga's social media, which is how we got here initially....Mitzi Melaine Wilson is a yoga teacher and consultant for non-profits with leadeship roles in behavioural health, community development, criminal justice and youth and young adult development. She is also a self described mystic. She loves observing life and all the magic the universe holds. The practices she shares are inspired by her own personal growth and healing experiences. Her goal is to be a healer by helping people in communities reconcile psyche and soul. After posting about "where theories of power and oppression meet policy" on social media, someone I mutually followed (Mitzi) initially "Liked" the post and disconnected from me on social media. Wanting to check in and own the possible impact of my post, I reached out to Mitzi and offered to chat, if she was interested. That was all - to connect and discuss what happened - but the potential for our conversation was evident. We decided to record the conversation and then decide if it would become a podcast. We wanted to share that yoga and its practices can cultivate the skillfulness to talk about racism, and as Mitzi shares toward the end of our chat, this is the beginning of ongoing conversations.Mitzi also wanted to share that she "honours Michelle Cassandra Johnson and her book Skill in Action.  I also acknowledge my mentor/teacher Linda Sama Karl, as well as all the teachers that saw me and were a part of my journey. I also acknowledge and honor my father and all my ancestors so presently with me. As well as Sonya Renee Taylor, I have been greatly influenced by her work.  In addition, the work Healing Justice frame shared by Prentis Hemphill. There are many more and I extend gratitude and appreciation for all who resource me with the words and wisdom known and unknown."LinksMitzi Melaine Wilson on InstagramThe BIPOC ProjectThis podcast continues through support by patrons like you. Offerings are as little as $5, and patrons receive exclusive resources, including video asana classes, livestream Q&A, and bonus podcast materials. Go to www.patreon.com/intelligentedgeyoga and click on the big orange button to join.For more information about Kathryn Flynn, go to www.intelligentedge.yoga 

Father’s Day, Summer Solstice, Social Justice and Spirituality all come together on this special Sunday! Join us for a seasonal blessing and powerful talk bringing together these different aspects of our lives into one experience of Truth and Spirit. The words we choose have the power to heal and the power to oppress. Right now there is a global movement for racial justice. As spiritual people, how do we use our language to support healing and do our part to create a world that honours all? Join us this Sunday as we continue our exploration of Michelle Cassandra Johnson’s Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World because social justice and spirituality come together in our mindful language. www.csl-whiterock.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/csl-whiterock/message

What does creating a just world mean to you? How do we use our spiritual principles and practices to address the injustice we see in the world? The urgency of these questions are rising and we are being called to expand our focus from our individual experience to the collective experience. Join us as we delve into Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World by Michelle Cassandra Johnson. “It asks that we take the powerful practice of yoga [or spirituality] and use it to create a world that makes space for all, that values all and that speaks truth to power.” Let us gather and use our mindful intentions to create a whole new world for everyone. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/csl-whiterock/message

In this episode, I mention the following: a recent blog post on projects vs. life practices Blend by Design the yoga teacher training that I signed up for Skill in Action by Michelle Cassandra Johnson (the book on yoga and social justice) my coach training program 1619 podcast Code Switch podcast Pod Save the People podcast come find me on InstagramPlease offer your feedback about the show or ideas for future episodes and topics by connecting with me on Twitter @Katie__Linder or by emailing me.If you listen to the podcast on iTunes, please take a moment to rate and/or review the show.

In this episode, I mention the following: a recent blog post on projects vs. life practices Blend by Design the yoga teacher training that I signed up for Skill in Action by Michelle Cassandra Johnson (the book on yoga and social justice) my coach training program 1619 podcast Code Switch podcast Pod Save the People podcast come find me on InstagramPlease offer your feedback about the show or ideas for future episodes and topics by connecting with me on Twitter @Katie__Linder or by emailing me.If you listen to the podcast on iTunes, please take a moment to rate and/or review the show.

In this episode, I mention the following: a recent blog post on projects vs. life practices Blend by Design the yoga teacher training that I signed up for Skill in Action by Michelle Cassandra Johnson (the book on yoga and social justice) my coach training program 1619 podcast Code Switch podcast Pod Save the People podcast come find me on InstagramPlease offer your feedback about the show or ideas for future episodes and topics by connecting with me on Twitter @Katie__Linder or by emailing me.If you listen to the podcast on iTunes, please take a moment to rate and/or review the show.

The following is an excerpt of a recent blog post ( https://www.simplybeagency.com/blog-posts/blm ) on the same subject. I recognize that as a white woman with a platform, I have an obligation to do more than simply share a podcast like this. I would like to instead use this as an opportunity to encourage action. Here are some of the steps I am taking and encourage my community to consider as well: * I will: follow Black experts, content creators, influencers and voices. I will engage in their platforms, share their content and get involved in their work: Rachel Cargle ( https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle/?hl=en ) , Xavier Ramey ( https://www.xavierramey.com/ ) , Lalah Delia ( https://www.instagram.com/lalahdelia/?hl=en ) , Layla Saad ( https://www.instagram.com/laylafsaad/ ) , Mahogany Browne ( https://www.instagram.com/mobrowne/ ) , Brittany Packnett Cunningham ( https://www.instagram.com/MsPackyetti ) , Eugene Daniels ( https://twitter.com/EugeneDaniels2?s=20 ) , Angel Kyodo Williams ( https://www.instagram.com/zenchangeangel/ ) , Skill In Action ( https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/ ) , Check Your Privilege ( https://www.instagram.com/ckyourprivilege/ ). * I will: donate money to BIPOC organizations and encourage my white peers, colleagues and community members to donate as well. SimplyBe. has already sent donations to help protestors post bail ( https://secure.actblue.com/donate/glp-bail-funds-email-20200531?akid=271.6094087.NRiw4m&amounts=5%2C20%2C50%2C100%2C250%2C500%2C1000&rd=1&refcode=ema20200531-271&refcode2=271_6094087_NRiw4m&t=21 ) and be released for standing up for justice, as well as to the Official George Floyd’s Memorial Fund ( https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd/ ). * I will: get involved in BIPOC non-for-profit organizations and show up for Black people. Currently, I Grow Chicago ( http://igrowchicago.org/ ) is SimplyBe.’s official social impact partner of 2020 by helping them with their marketing and branding efforts. I Grow is an organization that supports the Englewood community through healing justice, wellness and advocacy. Learn more here ( http://igrowchicago.org/ ). * I will: educate myself through podcasts, essays and books. I won’t just look to social media to get my information. Books I am reading, films I am watching and podcasts I am listening to: Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome ( https://www.chegg.com/textbooks/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome-1st-edition-9780985217273-0985217278 ) , White Fragility ( https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566247/white-fragility-by-robin-diangelo/ ) , So You Want to Talk About Race ( https://www.sealpress.com/titles/ijeoma-oluo/so-you-want-to-talk-about-race/9781580056779/ ) , 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice ( https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234 ) , 13th, ( https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741 ) When They See Us ( https://www.netflix.com/title/80200549 ) , Dark Girls ( http://officialdarkgirlsmovie.com/ ) , I Am Not Your Negro ( http://www.iamnotyournegrofilm.com/ ) , 1619 ( https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/23/podcasts/1619-podcast.html ) , You Had Me at Black ( http://www.youhadmeatblack.com/ ) , While Black ( https://whileblackpodcast.podbean.com/ ) , Airgo Radio ( https://airgoradio.com/ ) , Good Ancestor Podcast ( https://www.instagram.com/goodancestorpodcast/ ) and Code Switch ( https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch ). * I will: attend workshops, seminars and lectures to actively learn about internalized oppression, internalized whiteness and white supremacy. The entire white staff of the SimplyBe. Team has signed up for this workshop ( https://otmtraining.offthematintotheworld.org/p/dismantling-racism2020 ) : “Dismantling Racism,” a 4-part webinar series hosted by Michelle Cassandra Johnson. We hope you join us. * I will: look at my business through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, not only from an internal standpoint, but externally as well. I will ensure the work we create as a company, and the work we develop for our clients amplifies the voices, initiatives, talent and businesses of the BIPOC community. * I will: ask how many people of color are being represented at any event I am asked to speak at. * I will: use my personal platform to spotlight Black voices through my podcast, my social channels, my workshops, my blog and anywhere else I show up. Here is one last piece of truth: talking about this topic is uncomfortable, which is precisely why I have not done so in the past. That is no longer an excuse for my complacency and my silence. Nor is the fear that as a white person I might say the wrong thing or feel awkward in saying it. We need to nonetheless embrace this work with our full dedication to doing better and being better. Not just now in this time of unrest. Not when the news cycle fades and the protests end. But forever and always. This is my commitment to the BIPOC community. I hope you will join me. With Humility, with Sincerity, and always, with Light, Jessica

Wellness Beyond Whiteness is one of our favorite conversations we've ever had at CTZNWELL - exploring how we perpetuate a culture of exclusion in wellness spaces, how to move beyond #DiversityAndInclusion, and what the cost of whiteness is on our collective wellness.Kerri recorded this panel with Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Seane Corn, and Anasa Troutman at the 2018 Wellspring Conference hosted by Wanderlust, and we’re dropping it today to give you a taste of the deep conversations that we - along with Anasa and Nicole Cardoza - have organized starting THIS MONDAY, May 25, for our free series The Wellness of WE!The Wellness of WE is an 8-day online practice and conversation series to advance collective wellbeing. It features incredible leaders like India Arie, Mia Birdsong, Valarie Kaur, Taj James, Sonya Renee Taylor, Reggie Hubbard, Manoj Dias, the badass women on this original panel...and more.Sign up for free at www.thewellnessofwe.com, and starting Monday you’ll get a daily themed email with a guided practice, lots of juicy content, PLUS an invitation to join a live conversation each evening. (No worries if you can’t join live. We’ll post the recordings afterward.)Topics include:The WE in WellnessWorthy & WellFrom Self-Care to Community CareRevolutionary LoveWellness Beyond Whiteness (with these original panelists!)Rest & ReparationsPolitics & Economics of WellbeingJoyful RevolutionWe hope you can join us. Be sure to RSVP for free at www.thewellnessofwe.com.If this conversation resonates, we’d love for you to take a screenshot of the podcast and tag us on Instagram at @ctznwell!And to invite your Facebook friends to The Wellness of WE, here’s the event.Follow Rev. angelFollow MichelleFollow SeaneFollow Anasa

Michelle Cassandra Johnson shares about how grief has shaped her life and helped awaken her intuitive abilities. You’ll also hear about: Sensing the spirit and the energy of the wind Why people forget their inherent wholeness Signs that ancestors are near How bypassing arises from trying to use logic to understand something that’s energetic  ♥ PS - Get the two secret episode guided meditations with Michelle Cassandra Johnson where she guides you receive support from your well ancestors who have faced times of uncertainty and another one to connect with your spirit helpers and get grounded and centered at  https://www.earthspeak.love/secret. ***** Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, author, social justice warrior, intuitive healer and yogi. She travels around the country offering dismantling racism courses and Skill in Action: Yoga and Justice courses in communities, yoga studios, organizations, corporations and beyond. In this episode, we talk about: How sensing her friend’s spirit after he passed helped awaken her intuition Grief and healing from a head injury as a gateway to hearing the Earth speak Loss as a gateway for opening to something new Embracing seeming opposites to integrate duality (ie - right/wrong, good/bad, life/death, etc.) Why people forget their inherent wholeness Michelle’s take on cosmic alien connections What’s underneath people’s desire to leave the planet Attuning and anchoring higher knowing onto the Earth plane Why groundedness is necessary for responding to the suffering on Earth Michelle’s relationship with the spirit world - and how she connects with the other side Being open to helping people transition through death Sensing the living energy of the wind Listening to messages from the birds and other animals Being guided by a deer about where to plant a memorial tree Signs and numbers that ancestors are near Receiving messages from spirit through dreams with the support of mugwort The divine timing of spirit  Being with the discomfort of not being able to make meaning of something like COVID19 How bypassing arises from trying to use logic to understand something that’s energetic  Deciphering between healthy meaning making vs emotional or spiritual bypassing The harmful narratives being spread about COVID19 Exploring how grief is connected to liberation   Bonus Secret Episode! Michelle Cassandra Johnson guides you on two meditations: one where you’ll receive support from your well ancestors who have faced times of uncertainty and another one to connect with your spirit helpers and get grounded and centered at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret. Links: Learn more about Michelle’s offerings // www.michellecjohnson.com  Connect with Michelle on Instagram @skillinaction, https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/, and @mysticcassandra, https://www.instagram.com/mysticcassandra/ Connect with & Support Michelle on Patreon // https://www.patreon.com/skillinaction Watch the Healing In Community Online Summit and Grief & COVID19 interviews on Michelle’s YouTube // https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5CUvq0sI9c19l5kDKZecJQ/playlists Michelle’s project Race and Resilience // https://www.raceandresilience.com/  Share what is your biggest challenge or struggle around finding and expressing your voice // https://www.earthspeak.love/voice  References: Healing In Community Online Retreat // https://www.michellecjohnson.com/hic-retreat Listen to Michelle’s other interviews on the show (also find these in your podcast feed, just scroll down or search for them): Episode 104: https://www.dreamfreedombeauty.com/michelle-johnson-on-collective-grief-merging-yoga-and-social-justice-and-dismantling-racism-with-breath-episode-104/  Episode 138: https://www.dreamfreedombeauty.com/michelle-cassandra-johnson-on-integrating-spirituality-and-activism-episode-138/  Theme music is “It’s Easier” by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org/ and “Meeting Again” by Emily Sprague  https://mlesprg.info/ Learn to trust your intuition and activate your Earth magic + sign up for our magical newsletter at https://www.earthspeak.love Follow Earth Speak on Instagram @earthspeak https://www.instagram.com/earthspeak

Michelle Cassandra Johnson shares about how grief has shaped her life and helped awaken her intuitive abilities. You’ll also hear about: Sensing the spirit and the energy of the wind Why people forget their inherent wholeness Signs that ancestors are near How bypassing arises from trying to use logic to understand something that’s energetic  ♥ PS - Get the two secret episode guided meditations with Michelle Cassandra Johnson where she guides you receive support from your well ancestors who have faced times of uncertainty and another one to connect with your spirit helpers and get grounded and centered at  https://www.earthspeak.love/secret. ***** Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an activist, author, social justice warrior, intuitive healer and yogi. She travels around the country offering dismantling racism courses and Skill in Action: Yoga and Justice courses in communities, yoga studios, organizations, corporations and beyond. In this episode, we talk about: How sensing her friend’s spirit after he passed helped awaken her intuition Grief and healing from a head injury as a gateway to hearing the Earth speak Loss as a gateway for opening to something new Embracing seeming opposites to integrate duality (ie - right/wrong, good/bad, life/death, etc.) Why people forget their inherent wholeness Michelle’s take on cosmic alien connections What’s underneath people’s desire to leave the planet Attuning and anchoring higher knowing onto the Earth plane Why groundedness is necessary for responding to the suffering on Earth Michelle’s relationship with the spirit world - and how she connects with the other side Being open to helping people transition through death Sensing the living energy of the wind Listening to messages from the birds and other animals Being guided by a deer about where to plant a memorial tree Signs and numbers that ancestors are near Receiving messages from spirit through dreams with the support of mugwort The divine timing of spirit  Being with the discomfort of not being able to make meaning of something like COVID19 How bypassing arises from trying to use logic to understand something that’s energetic  Deciphering between healthy meaning making vs emotional or spiritual bypassing The harmful narratives being spread about COVID19 Exploring how grief is connected to liberation   Bonus Secret Episode! Michelle Cassandra Johnson guides you on two meditations: one where you’ll receive support from your well ancestors who have faced times of uncertainty and another one to connect with your spirit helpers and get grounded and centered at https://www.earthspeak.love/secret. Links: Learn more about Michelle’s offerings // www.michellecjohnson.com  Connect with Michelle on Instagram @skillinaction, https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/, and @mysticcassandra, https://www.instagram.com/mysticcassandra/ Connect with & Support Michelle on Patreon // https://www.patreon.com/skillinaction Watch the Healing In Community Online Summit and Grief & COVID19 interviews on Michelle’s YouTube // https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5CUvq0sI9c19l5kDKZecJQ/playlists Michelle’s project Race and Resilience // https://www.raceandresilience.com/  Share what is your biggest challenge or struggle around finding and expressing your voice // https://www.earthspeak.love/voice  References: Healing In Community Online Retreat // https://www.michellecjohnson.com/hic-retreat Listen to Michelle’s other interviews on the show (also find these in your podcast feed, just scroll down or search for them): Episode 104: https://www.dreamfreedombeauty.com/michelle-johnson-on-collective-grief-merging-yoga-and-social-justice-and-dismantling-racism-with-breath-episode-104/  Episode 138: https://www.dreamfreedombeauty.com/michelle-cassandra-johnson-on-integrating-spirituality-and-activism-episode-138/  Theme music is “It’s Easier” by Scarlet Crow http://www.scarletcrow.org/ and “Meeting Again” by Emily Sprague  https://mlesprg.info/ Learn to trust your intuition and activate your Earth magic + sign up for our magical newsletter at https://www.earthspeak.love Follow Earth Speak on Instagram @earthspeak https://www.instagram.com/earthspeak

In this episode, I speak with social change activists and co-founders of Race and Resilience, Michelle Johnson and Kerri Kelly.Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, licensed clinical social worker and Dismantling Racism trainer. She approaches her life and work from a place of empowerment, embodiment and integration. She has been leading anti-racism trainings for 22 years. Michelle has experience working to dismantle systems of oppression inside corporations, mid-size organizations and small non-profits including Google, Lululemon, the ACLU-WA and many more. With a deep understanding of trauma and the impact that it has on the mind, body, spirit and heart, much of her work focuses on helping people better understand how power and privilege operate in their life. Michelle explores how privilege, power and oppression affects the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and energy body.Kerri is the founder of CTZNWELL, an emerging movement to mobilize people into a powerful force for the wellbeing for all. Kerri is recognized across communities for her inspired work to bridge transformational practice with social change and politics. She’s been instrumental in translating the tools of wellbeing into practical application and social action in the public and private sector, working in collaboration with community organizers, spiritual leaders, policy makers and corporate executives including William Morris Entertainment, Congressman Tim Ryan, Lululemon, Marianne Williamson, People's Action Group and more.

Join me and Kristie McCourt as we discuss raising conscious children (note- this is a great episode for ANYONE who has kids, works with kids, family members, or is connected to children in some way!) Kristie is a certified Yoga Teacher (with a background in trauma), mindfulness educator and holistic health counselor who is passionate about the intersection of social justice and yoga, gentle parenting and raising conscious kids.If you’re not following Kristie on instagram you should! She is showing the world really great tips and tricks on how to raise mindful kids and ways to be civically active. Kristie has been to Haiti, Malawi, Nepal and Nicaragua through Build On and Hope for Haiti. Service and Yoga Camp through Whitemarsh Parks and RecreationMindfulness for Parents and CaregiversSkill in Action by Michelle Cassandra Johnson

In the second part of our two-part special on hands-on assists, we go a little bit deeper! We hear how a trauma-informed context may change our approach to assists from Mei Lai Swan, then Amy Wheeler tells us about transference and countertransference and what role they might play when teaching yoga. We learn how culture, race and gender can change perceptions around touch from Jesal Parikh, Gail Parker, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, Tim Seutter and Anu Fox. Finally, we hear some conclusions from Leigh Blashki, Matthew Remski and Dominique Salerno. While creating this episode we gathered over 4 hours of audio, which will be available on our Patreon page for free! For more details go to: https://www.patreon.com/flowartistspodcast Links Dominique Salerno: https://australianyogaacademy.com/ Leigh Blashki: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga_user/leigh-blashki/ Matthew Remski: http://matthewremski.com/ Jesal Parikh: https://www.yogawallanyc.com/ Tim Seutter: https://yogafire.tv/ Michelle Cassandra Johnson: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/ Gail Parker: https://www.drgailparker.com/ Anu Fox: https://www.yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga_user/anu-fox/ Queer and Trans Yoga: https://www.facebook.com/queerandtransyoga/ You can hear part 1 at: https://podcast.flowartists.com/episodes/making-adjustments-pt-1/ Thanks to Danielle Lara Woolley for the cover photo: https://www.instagram.com/this.wild.soul/

Friday, January 31st 8:00PM Eastern/ 5:00PM Pacific https://www.blacktalkradionetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/More-than-200-people-discuss-discrimination-income-gap-duri.mp4 The Context of White Supremacy hosts our Friday weekly caucus on neutralizing Workplace Racism. This broadcast is specifically crafted to improve non-white people's problem-solving skills and refine how black people think, speak, act and control emotions while at work. Any listeners who've designed a code to minimize conflicts with White and/or non-white co-workers, steer clear of demotions, write-ups, terminations or other forms of violence we experience under Racist work conditions should be first to call in with particulars. We always appreciate the chance to learn about the experiences of "black entrepreneurs." Please, share with us how being "self employed" makes your work experience better. We had a listener ask if he should change his non-white sounding name in order to secure more job opportunities. We'll ask for suggestions. Also, Gus T., certified yoga instructor, was fired from his teaching position at Aya Yoga Oasis. The Suspected White Supremacist owner, Carrie Johnson, listened to our interview with Michelle Cassandra Johnson, and terminated Gus's services. Talking about White Supremacy can be hazardous. Thankfully, Gus's résumé is up to date. **Details for The C.O.W.S. 2020 Counter-Racist Yoga Retreat: TORONTO** #WorkplaceRacism INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 641.715.3640 CODE 564943# The C.O.W.S. Radio Program is specifically engineered for black & non-white listeners - Victims of White Supremacy. The purpose of this program is to provide Victims of White Supremacy with constructive information and suggestions on how to counter Racist Woman & Racist Man. TUNE IN!

Friday, January 31st 8:00PM Eastern/ 5:00PM Pacific https://www.blacktalkradionetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/More-than-200-people-discuss-discrimination-income-gap-duri.mp4 The Context of White Supremacy hosts our Friday weekly caucus on neutralizing Workplace Racism. This broadcast is specifically crafted to improve non-white people's problem-solving skills and refine how black people think, speak, act and control emotions while at work. Any listeners who've designed a code to minimize conflicts with White and/or non-white co-workers, steer clear of demotions, write-ups, terminations or other forms of violence we experience under Racist work conditions should be first to call in with particulars. We always appreciate the chance to learn about the experiences of "black entrepreneurs." Please, share with us how being "self employed" makes your work experience better. We had a listener ask if he should change his non-white sounding name in order to secure more job opportunities. We'll ask for suggestions. Also, Gus T., certified yoga instructor, was fired from his teaching position at Aya Yoga Oasis. The Suspected White Supremacist owner, Carrie Johnson, listened to our interview with Michelle Cassandra Johnson, and terminated Gus's services. Talking about White Supremacy can be hazardous. Thankfully, Gus's résumé is up to date. **Details for The C.O.W.S. 2020 Counter-Racist Yoga Retreat: TORONTO** #WorkplaceRacism INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 641.715.3640 CODE 564943# The C.O.W.S. Radio Program is specifically engineered for black & non-white listeners - Victims of White Supremacy. The purpose of this program is to provide Victims of White Supremacy with constructive information and suggestions on how to counter Racist Woman & Racist Man. TUNE IN!

The Context of White Supremacy hosts our Friday weekly caucus on neutralizing Workplace Racism. This broadcast is specifically crafted to improve non-white people's problem-solving skills and refine how black people think, speak, act and control emotions while at work. Any listeners who've designed a code to minimize conflicts with White and/or non-white co-workers, steer clear of demotions, write-ups, terminations or other forms of violence we experience under Racist work conditions should be first to call in with particulars. We always appreciate the chance to learn about the experiences of "black entrepreneurs." Please, share with us how being "self employed" makes your work experience better. We had a listener ask if he should change his non-white sounding name in order to secure more job opportunities. We'll ask for suggestions. Also, Gus T., certified yoga instructor, was fired from his teaching position at Aya Yoga Oasis. The Suspected White Supremacist owner, Carrie Johnson, listened to our interview with Michelle Cassandra Johnson, and terminated Gus's services. Talking about White Supremacy can be hazardous. Thankfully, Gus's résumé is up to date. #WorkplaceRacism INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 605.313.5164 CODE 564943#

What role do white yoga teachers play in shifting the cultural landscape inside of yoga spaces to one of equity, and liberation for all?Michelle Johnson and I unpack this question, and define terms that you need to know like:White SupremacyPrivilegeOppressionRacismLiberationIntersectionalityWe also cover:How yoga philosophy calls us to create justice and liberation for all Do white people know? Or are we just not willing to break down a system we benefit from?Why remaining neutral in the name of equanimity causes deep harmSpiritual bypassing in the yoga communityThe role that white yoga teachers can play in creating a just yoga landscapeResourcing marginalised people to get where they want to goUnderstanding equityWhy inclusion is not enoughWhy dismantling racism is messy, and hard, and why we have to do it anywayWhat a just an equitable yoga landscape actually looks likeBeing in relationship with the communities that the yoga industry has marginalised Committing to the process of dismantling racism for the long haulFIND MICHELLEMichelle's personal instagramSkill in action instagramMichelle's websiteDonate to Michelle's mother's patient advocate fundFIND CORACora's InstagramCora's WebsiteWork with CoraFind the links to resources mentioned in this show here

For our first episode of 2020 Jo and Rane speak with Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Michelle Cassandra Johnson is a writer, yoga teacher, social worker, activist, and author of Skill in Action. Skill in Action is an unflinching look at power and privilege, oppression, liberation and suffering, and invites readers to take steps to make changes in their lives to create a world that allows all of us to be free. It incorporates yogic philosophy, poetry and personal practice as a path towards dismantling racism. In this episode, we learn about Michelle's background growing up in Richmond, Virginia, how she discovered yoga and the inspiration for writing the book Skill in Action. Also, Rane was surprised to learn that he was selected as one of 20 Teachers of Colour to Watch in 2020! https://www.yogawallanyc.com/blog/2020/1/9/20-yoga-teachers-of-color-to-watch-in-2020 Links Michelle's website: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillinaction/ Skill in Action: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/skill-in-action-book Makarlu Masterclass: https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/workshops/makarlu-masterclass/

** Carrie Johnson, Suspected White Supremacist in Burien, Washington, terminated Gus T's employment as a yoga instructor at her yoga studio after listening to this broadcast. The two Johnsons (one White, one black) have met each other. Michelle Cassandra Johnson had no comment or "action" about any of this. The Context of White Supremacy welcomes Michelle Cassandra Johnson. A social justice activist, empath, intuitive healer, author and yoga instructor, Ms. Johnson has twenty years experience leading dismantling Racism workshops and social work. We'll discuss her 2017 publication Skill In Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice To Create A Just World. Gus T. heard about this book from many different White Women (Suspected Racists) in yoga class. The White Woman who hired Gus to teach yoga owns a signed copy of Skill In Action - loaned it to Gus in fact. A different White female instructor shared a story of this text being used in a yoga teacher training class filled to the brim with White Women. After reading Ms. Johnson's text, the room was left with an awkward, tense silence. We'll examine her definitions for White Supremacy and why she thinks White Women are receptive to her views on White Supremacy. Curiously her book recommends non-white people "love" Whites. Predictably, it suggests that Whites are "ignorant" about White Supremacy. White Women at Seattle's Grinning Yogi studio in Seattle practiced White Supremacy against Gus, but hired Ms. Johnson to discuss her book and "social justice" in 2018. Whites hold many "diversity," "anti-racism," and "social justice events" to give the appearance that they oppose Racism. This type of White hypocrisy is routine. #ReadingIsMoreImportantThanWatchingTelevision #ChemicalAndBiologicalWarfare INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 605.313.5164 CODE 564943#

The Context of White Supremacy welcomes Michelle Cassandra Johnson. A social justice activist, empath, intuitive healer, author and yoga instructor, Ms. Johnson has twenty years experience leading dismantling Racism workshops and social work. We'll discuss her 2017 publication Skill In Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice To Create A Just World. Gus T. heard about this book from many different White Women (Suspected Racists) in yoga class. The White Woman who hired Gus to teach yoga owns a signed copy of Skill In Action - loaned it to Gus in fact. A different White female instructor shared a story of this text being used in a yoga teacher training class filled to the brim with White Women. After reading Ms. Johnson's text, the room was left with an awkward, tense silence. We'll examine her definitions for White Supremacy and why she thinks White Women are receptive to her views on White Supremacy. Curiously her book recommends non-white people "love" Whites. Predictably, it suggests that Whites are "ignorant" about White Supremacy. White Women at Seattle's Grinning Yogi studio in Seattle practiced White Supremacy against Gus, but hired Ms. Johnson to discuss her book and "social justice" in 2018. Whites hold many "diversity," "anti-racism," and "social justice events" to give the appearance that they oppose Racism. This type of White hypocrisy is routine. #ReadingIsMoreImportantThanWatchingTelevision #ChemicalAndBiologicalWarfare INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 605.313.5164 CODE 564943#

Wednesday, January 15th 8:00PM Eastern/ 5:00PM Pacific **Following this broadcast, Gus was terminated from his yoga teaching position at Aya Yoga Oasis by Carrie Johnson, Suspected White Supremacist. Johnson fired Gus via email without even speaking to him. #TackyTrashyTerroristic** The Context of White Supremacy welcomes Michelle Cassandra Johnson. A social justice activist, empath, intuitive healer, author and yoga instructor, Ms. Johnson has twenty years experience leading dismantling Racism workshops and social work. We'll discuss her 2017 publication Skill In Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice To Create A Just World. Gus T. heard about this book from many different White Women (Suspected Racists) in yoga class. The White Woman who hired Gus to teach yoga owns a signed copy of Skill In Action - loaned it to Gus in fact. A different White female instructor shared a story of this text being used in a yoga teacher training class filled to the brim with White Women. After reading Ms. Johnson's text, the room was left with an awkward, tense silence. We'll examine her definitions for White Supremacy and why she thinks White Women are receptive to her views on White Supremacy. Curiously her book recommends non-white people "love" Whites. Predictably, it suggests that Whites are "ignorant" about White Supremacy. White Women at Seattle's Grinning Yogi studio in Seattle practiced White Supremacy against Gus, but hired Ms. Johnson to discuss her book and "social justice" in 2018. Whites hold many "diversity," "anti-racism," and "social justice events" to give the appearance that they oppose Racism. This type of White hypocrisy is routine. **Details for The C.O.W.S. 2020 Counter-Racist Yoga Retreat: TORONTO** #ReadingIsMoreImportantThanWatchingTelevision INVEST in The C.O.W.S. – paypal.me/TheCOWS The C.O.W.S. Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS` Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS The C.O.W.S. Radio Program is specifically engineered for black & non-white listeners - Victims of White Supremacy. The purpose of this program is to provide Victims of White Supremacy with constructive information and suggestions on how to counter Racist Woman & Racist Man. TUNE IN! Phone: 1-605-313-5164 - Access Code 564943# Hit star *6 & 1 to enter caller cue

Wednesday, January 15th 8:00PM Eastern/ 5:00PM Pacific The Context of White Supremacy welcomes Michelle Cassandra Johnson. A social justice activist, empath, intuitive healer, author and yoga instructor, Ms. Johnson has twenty years experience leading dismantling Racism workshops and social work. We'll discuss her 2017 publication Skill In Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice To Create A Just World. Gus T. heard about this book from many different White Women (Suspected Racists) in yoga class. The White Woman who hired Gus to teach yoga owns a signed copy of Skill In Action - loaned it to Gus in fact. A different White female instructor shared a story of this text being used in a yoga teacher training class filled to the brim with White Women. After reading Ms. Johnson's text, the room was left with an awkward, tense silence. We'll examine her definitions for White Supremacy and why she thinks White Women are receptive to her views on White Supremacy. Curiously her book recommends non-white people "love" Whites. Predictably, it suggests that Whites are "ignorant" about White Supremacy. White Women at Seattle's Grinning Yogi studio in Seattle practiced White Supremacy against Gus, but hired Ms. Johnson to discuss her book and "social justice" in 2018. Whites hold many "diversity," "anti-racism," and "social justice events" to give the appearance that they oppose Racism. This type of White hypocrisy is routine. **Details for The C.O.W.S. 2020 Counter-Racist Yoga Retreat: TORONTO** #ReadingIsMoreImportantThanWatchingTelevision INVEST in The C.O.W.S. – paypal.me/TheCOWS The C.O.W.S. Cash App: http://cash.app/$TheCOWS` Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS The C.O.W.S. Radio Program is specifically engineered for black & non-white listeners - Victims of White Supremacy. The purpose of this program is to provide Victims of White Supremacy with constructive information and suggestions on how to counter Racist Woman & Racist Man. TUNE IN! Phone: 1-605-313-5164 - A

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author, yoga teacher, social justice activist, licensed clinical social worker and Dismantling Racism trainer. She approaches her life and work from a place of empowerment, embodiment and integration and has a deep understanding of trauma and the impact that it has on the mind, body, spirit and heart. Much of her work focuses on helping people better understand how power and privilege affects the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and energy bodies. You can find work at www.michellecjohnson.com or find her on social media at @skillinaction and @mysticcassandra on Instagram, @skillactionyoga on twitter, and skillinaction on Facebook.Note: I had a Patreon campaign for a hot minute but decided to that wasn’t what felt right for this community at this time (or for me….cuz capacity lol!). I’ll be busy planning over the coming months for some exciting stuff in 2020 so stay tuned. If you have ideas, comments, feedback etc. please feel free to contact me at nurturedpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you to all of you that have been supporting this wacky adventure!

This week, Sarah discusses sustainable employment models with two yoga teachers: Liz Buehler Walker of the U.S. and Norman Blair of the U.K. Join us as we explore what it really looks like to make a career as a yoga teacher and how the yoga industry needs to change so we can better value and support our teachers. Want to connect with Sarah? Reach out to her on Instagram, Facebook, or directly via email at sarahdittmore@gmail.com.The Beginner's Mind is created in partnership with Shut Up & Yoga. Check out their new books at www.shutupandyoga.com/books or join the conversation via the new facebook group, Shut Up & Yoga Forum for Modern Yogis.Liz Buehler WalkerConnecting to my breath and body through yoga has always offered me a way out of denial and into how I'm doing in relationship to reality. Everyone's vision, path and lived experience is different, and I believe that the vastness of the yogic practiceS teach us how to be in our truth and hold space for others to be in theirs.Learning is a lifelong process, but some of the people I have studied with are Peter Rizzo of Bhava Yoga (500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, 2001), Alan Finger of ISHTA Yoga (Yoga Teacher Training Bridge Program for meditation and subtle body, 2008), Mia Borgatta of Lila Yoga and Wellness (Pre-Natal Yoga Teacher Training, 2012), Lara Kohn-Thompson and Beth Donnelly-Caban of Integral Yoga (Pre-Natal Yoga Teacher Training, 2016), Dr. Naina Marballi (Ayurveda Shirodhara Training, 2017), Sarah Tomlinson in the Harish Johari lineage of Yantra and Ayurveda.Currently I am involved in studies with social change and spiritual leaders such as Michelle Cassandra Johnson, author of Skill In Action, Kerri Kelly, founder of CTZNWELL, Susanna Barkataki, creator of the Honor {Don't Appropriate} Yoga Summit and Workbook, and Kelley Palmer, creator of Peacefilled Mama and co-founder of The Sanctuary in the City.I am also developing a Pre-Natal Yoga Teacher Training and Post-Natal programs and continue to mentor yoga teachers informally and as apprentices.You can connect with me at www.brooklynyogalife.com.Norman BlairNorman has been practising yoga since the early 1990s and teaching yoga since 2001. He has studied deeply with teachers such as Sarah Powers, Richard Freeman, and Alaric Newcombe. He loves the way yoga has helped him become more embodied, more conscious, and more focused. His approach is about enabling accessibility, encouraging acceptance and deepening awareness.He likes (in no particular order) chocolate, Star Trek, standing on his head, resting on bolsters, and going for walks across Hampstead Heath. A philosophy of practice for him is succinctly summarised by cellist Pablo Casals. When interviewed at the age of 93, Pablo Casals said that he practiced for three hours a day. When asked why, he replied: “I'm beginning to see some improvement”.Norman believes that yoga teachers need to speak out and stand up. That all of us can greatly benefit from co-operation and collaborating rather than wall-building and competition. Norman lives and teaches in London/UK. He has written a book – Brightening Our Inner Skies: yin and yoga – and his website is www.yogawithnorman.co.uk He has a monthly newsletter – to receive it please email yogawithnorman@gmail.com

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is shaking things up in the yoga world and speaking all the truths about toxic culture and white supremacy so that real healing is possible. She is a social worker, yoga teacher, long time race equity trainer and author of the book Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World. And she is showing us what radical self care really looks like.Buy her book.Follow her.Take a course/training.If this episode resonates for you, we’d love for you to take a screenshot and tag us on Instagram stories @ctznwell and @skillinaction, and click below to tweet:"We are bigger than white supremacy." Michelle C. Johnson with @kkellyyoga on #CTZN Podcast. Check it out: ctznwell.org/ctznpodcast @ctznwellMore about this episode:Michelle discovered that it is impossible to heal when you’re navigating a system that wasn’t designed to heal you. So, she wrote a book called Skill in Action to help us redefine and reclaim what yoga and wellness really looks like in a toxic culture. Yoga and contemplative practice is a pathway to healing, but only when we are willing to do the difficult and uncomfortable work of acknowledging the truth of a culture that is dominated by ideologies of whiteness and individualism. The pain of that culture of separation demands to be felt and that is the only way towards healing.She challenges us to hold the reality that we are both one human interdependent family AND (and this is a big “and”) that we are living very different experiences based on how institutions and culture are set up for our particular identity and social location. There is shared experience in how we get free AND there are unique roles and responsibilities that we each play given our location and that is a part of the “skill in action” that we need to cultivate.The truth is, we are not really doing yoga, we are not really being mindful and we are not really well unless we center a level of consciousness that acknowledges the truth of who we are and how we got here. Otherwise, we are just replicating the toxic systems that we are trying to transform.But Michelle reminds us that we are bigger than white supremacy and we can be better, We can construct something better. And we have to...for the sake of all us.Join CTZNWELL on PatreonFollow CTZNWELL on InstagramSign up for CTZNWELL’s weekly email WELLread and check out our free action guides at ctznwell.org.

Get the full show notes at www.dreamfreedombeauty.com.

Get the full show notes at www.dreamfreedombeauty.com.

I met today's guest at a conference in 2018 about decentering whiteness in yoga and mindfulness spaces. She was a keynote speaker and hearing her story and experience not only moved me, but really helped to anchor in so much of what we've been learning and exploring about racism, oppression, and liberation here on the show over the last two years, so I was pumped when she agreed to come on. Michelle Cassandra Johnson is a social justice activist, anti-racism trainer, author and yoga teacher. Her big truth was around needing to shed layers and let go to create space for different opportunities and energies. In this conversation we talked specifically about creating liberatory spaces, decreasing suffering and doing things differently in western yoga environments. She walked us through how justice is possible if we really live into the principles of yoga, shared her perspective on oneness, holding things at the same time, why she prefers to say "safer" space than safe space, and the kinds of microaggressions that are common for black people in yoga classes. We also talked about her book, Skill In Action, how she's delivering her work in the world currently and how repair actually happens. This is a deep and thorough chat, enjoy and share, especially with your yoga friends! For more information and for full show notes, head to http://untameyourself.com/296 Truth Telling with Elizabeth DiAlto aims to cut through the noise and ignorance of our current culture by exploring the truths of a diverse range of incredible voices. From authors artists, creatives and educators, to activists, speakers and those in various scientific and esoteric fields - our guests hail from cultures and countries all over the world. Expect courageous conversations that range from insightful, uplifting, and illuminating, to uncomfortable and sometimes even confrontational. Each episode invites you, with a ton of love and respect, to listen with your heart and mind wide open. You never know when a perspective might click into place like the puzzle piece you've been searching for OR didn’t even know you were missing. Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! To keep up with the show notes & quotes from our guests, follow me on Instagram and get on the weekly notification list here!

Michelle Cassandra Johnson, the recent author of Skill in Action: Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World. Michelle is a yoga teacher, social justice activist, a licensed clinical social worker and Dismantling Racism trainer. She approaches her life and work from a place of empowerment, embodiment, and integration. With a deep understanding of trauma and the impact that it has on the mind, body, spirit, and heart, much of her work focuses on helping people better understand how power and privilege operate in their life. She explores how privilege, power, and oppression affects the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and energy body. She recently published her first book Skill in Action and is currently on a national book tour.   Find Michelle Website: www.michellecjohnson.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2724808 https://www.facebook.com/skillandaction/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mysticcassandra http://www.instagram.com/skillinaction Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Skillactionyoga http://www.twitter.com/MichelleCboro   Learn More About One-on-One Coaching:  http://dirtinyourskirt.com/coaching/   Get Your Own Dirt in Your Skirt Mug: http://shop.dirtinyourskirt.com   Show Supported by:  Four Sigmatic - http://www.foursigmatic.com Use code: DIYS to save 10% on your order   Groove Life – www.groovelife.com Use Code: DIYS10 to save 10% on your order   Find all the Dirt in Your Skirt Partners Here.     Full Shownotes:  http://www.dirtinyourskirt.com Join the Facebook Group:  http://www.dirtinyourskirt.com/tribe Support the Show: http://www.dirtinyourskirt.com/support   

Michelle Cassandra Johnson (www.michellecjohnson.com) is the author of "Skill in Action, Radicalizing Your Yoga Practice to Create a Just World". Michelle has a deep understanding of how trauma impacts the mind, body, spirit and heart. Her experience and awareness as a black woman, allow first hand knowledge of how privilege and power operate. She understands the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual toll that oppression can take on individuals and the collective. Michelle is a social justice activist, empath, yoga teacher, intuitive healer and has a background as a licensed clinical social worker. Whether in an anti-oppression training, yoga space, individual or group intuitive healing session, Michelle holds healing and wholeness at the center of her work. She’s spent many years on the front lines of justice movements craving a space for healing through ritual, ceremony and sacred practice. While working in many non-profits with missions focused on justice, she didn't find a space that centered healing as a guiding tool to create justice. So, she created her own space and way of working. Michelle leads anti-racism trainings and yoga workshops focused on the intersection of justice and yoga. She also offers intuitive healing sessions to support social justice workers, healers and activists to help sustain the good work they do in the world. Michelle also began her own teacher training in 2014 to inspire change that allows people to stand in their humanity and wholeness in a world that fragments most of us. There are a myriad of ways to work with Michelle and you can learn more at www.michellecjohnson.com In this episode Michelle talks about how she came to yoga by way of the breath and how your breath can be a form of resisting oppression. She shares how yoga and social justice overlap. We talk about spiritual bypassing and ways to disrupt it. We also hear a little bit from her beloved dog Jasper. :-)