387: The Five Kleshas with Michelle Cassandra Johnson

12/30/24 • 69 min

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:

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 ...

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

387: The Five Kleshas with Michelle Cassandra Johnson

Description:

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:

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 ...

Previous Episode

386: Weaponization of Yoga with Sheena Sood

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

386: Weaponization of Yoga with Sheena Sood

Description:

How can something like yoga, that is meant to be peaceful and focused on meditation and breath, be weaponized? How has it been co-opted by the far-right, colonizer projects, and Zionists? How does this show up in our yoga spaces and what can we do to address it? Dr. Sheena Sood shares her insights.

Dr. Sheena Sood (PhD) is a Philadelphia-based activist, educator, sociologist, and healing justice visionary of South Asian descent. She is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania and has studied yoga at Kailash Tribal School of Yoga in India. Her current research project is about Omwashing Yoga: Weaponized Spirituality in India, Israel, and the US, where she investigates the growing incorporation of yoga and mindfulness by far-right law enforcement, military, and vigilante groups. Sheena is also curates “Decolonizing Yoga” workshops through frameworks that recognize yoga’s oppressive layers and liberatory potential and is the founder and creative director of Yoga Warrior Tales, an interactive adventure-based educational program that teaches children yoga and mindfulness through a social justice lens.

Sheena shares her perspective on the situation in Palestine and the reactions in the yoga world after October 7. She explains why this response of “om-washing” is not unexpected, and how we as yoga practitioners, teachers, and studios can counter harmful narratives to support Palestine. Sheena also has some words of encouragement and motivation for those of us doing the work and feeling exhausted, so be sure to tune in for some powerful insights.

Key Takeaways:

[3:14] Shannon gives a shout out of thanks to sponsors, OfferingTree and her own 20-hour Yoga for Pelvic Health Training.

[4:26] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sheena Sood.

[11:29] What does Sheena do and who does she do it for?

[14:13] How can something like yoga, that is meant to be relaxing and focuses on breath and meditation, be weaponized? What is om-washing?

[22:50] Sheena shares her experience of learning about the history of Palestine and how that influenced her interactions with IDF/IOF soldiers in her yoga teacher training.

[29:14] Sheena shares her reflections on the video that was circulating of people practicing yoga in support of Israel.

[34:42] How is om-washing showing up at a micro level? How does the weaponization of yoga show up in our yoga spaces and studios?

[45:22] Shannon pops in with a message about the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[49:11] Shannon and Sheena discuss how change can actually be created - it's not by trying to be nice.

[54:13] What is Sheena's advice for people who have been taking action but are feeling discouraged or unmotivated that their efforts are making a difference?

[62:37] Shannon and Sheena reflect on some of the images they have seen of Israeli soldiers practicing yoga after bombing homes in Gaza.

[66:45] Learn more from Sheena on social media or via her website.

[69:42] Sheena shares some closing thoughts.

[71:26] Shannon shares her reflections from this conversation with Sheena, as well as a personal update.

Links:

Sheena Sood
Sheena Sood on Instagram: @sheena_shining, @yogawarriortales
Yogis For Palestine
Sign the Yogis for Palestine Solidarity Statement
Previous Podcast Episodes Related to the Topic

Next Episode

388: Fertility Yoga with Sherry Longbottom

The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast

388: Fertility Yoga with Sherry Longbottom

Description:

Global fertility rates have dropped significantly over the past few decades. Many factors influence people’s desire and ability to conceive and bear children, such as stress, lifestyle, and societal shifts. For those wanting to have children but facing challenges, fertility yoga can help in their conception and pregnancy journey. Sherry Longbottom shares her insights about fertility yoga and its benefits.

Sherry Longbottom is an author and yoga teacher specializing in fertility, prenatal, and baby and me yoga, with over 20 years of experience. Sherry offers online private and group classes as well as occasional studio pop-ups. She creates supportive spaces for individuals at every stage of their fertility and pregnancy journeys. In her classes, Sherry brings together fertility and prenatal yoga students in unique environment that allows all students to inspire and uplift one another, while supporting each other through the challenging times.

In this episode, Sherry shares some of her recommendations for yoga teachers offering support to students on a fertility journey, including recommended poses and poses to avoid. She also offers tips and insights for yoga teachers on class design, pose modifications, and the importance of mindfulness. This conversation is a heartfelt exploration of how yoga can provide both physical and emotional support for those navigating fertility and pregnancy.

Key Takeaways:

[1:09] In this episode, Shannon and her guest will be talking about fertility and how yoga can help.

[3:34] Shannon gives a shout out to the sponsor, OfferingTree.

[3:56] Shannon introduces her guest for this episode - Sherry Longbottom.

[7:04] What is the work that Sherry does and who does she do it for?

[11:08] What are some main things that yoga teachers might need to consider when deciding to offer 1:1 support for someone in the fertility journey vs. adding certain elements to a group class that might benefit them?

[16:42] Does Sherry teach online or in person?

[17:30] Shannon and Sherry discuss the external pressure that people often face when they are trying to conceive.

[20:13] Sherry shares some tips on poses she recommends for people trying to conceive as well as some things to avoid.

[23:23] What are some of Sherry's students' favorite poses in her classes?

[25:51] When people have been on a fertility journey for a while, there can be a lot of fear that arises. How does Sherry support her students through that?

[30:19] How does Sherry navigate both ends of the spectrum in a group setting focused on yoga for fertility i.e. someone getting pregnant vs. someone dealing with loss?

[34:42] Shannon pops in to share a message about using OfferingTree to run your yoga business.

[36:33] Sherry shares a little about her book about fertility yoga and the courses she offers for yoga teachers wanting to teach fertility yoga.

[40:55] What are IVF and IUI?

[43:43] Sherry shares more about the kinds of people who might undergo each procedure (IVF and IUI) that she sees in her classes.

[46:16] How does Sherry facilitate community building in her yoga classes?

[54:17] Connect with Sherry and learn more from her via her website or on social media.

[56:00] Shannon shares her biggest takeaways from this conversation.

[65:08] Shannon shares a podcast she recently listened to about the topic of fertility.

Links:

If you like this episode you’ll love

The Writing Coach Podcast with Rebecca L. Weber

The Personal Branding Podcast - Brands On Brands

Everyday Ayurveda and Yoga at Hale Pule

Sleep with Silk: Nature Sounds - Rain, Thunder, Wind, Ocean, River, Surf, Birds, Crickets, Fire, & More

The Add IDEAS Podcast

Episode Comments

Featured in these lists

The best podcasts for Yoga teachers and Yoga lovers

Curated by Rane Bowen

Generate a badge

Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode

Select type & size

Copy