intelligent edge yoga

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.com

Show 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."

Links

Mitzi Melaine Wilson on Instagram

The BIPOC Project

This 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

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.com

Show Notes:

Leslie Kaminoff is one of the most recognized and respected names in American yoga, but he owes it all to Canada... We talk about his beginnings as a teacher, the Yoga Alliance standards creation and review, as well as some breathwork techniques and when holding the breath makes sense.

We also discuss...

• Leslie's forty years as a teacher, and he got started with teaching in Canada! Learning from Swami Vishnudevananda and his senior students in Val Morin, Quebec, so as a Canadian, I insist on credit for his education. (We also talk about TKV Desikachar, who was his Teacher.)
• We discuss the difference between instructor and teacher, and how Leslie sat at the table during the creation of the Yoga Alliance standards (back when it was Unity in Yoga). We discuss the Standards Review Yoga Alliance is undertaking, and what we both think will come of them.
• Since Leslie knows so much about breath work and breath anatomy, we discuss breath retention and how it’s a natural inclination that can be really helpful.