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July 9, 2024

Breaking Barriers in Yoga: The Power of Representation

Breaking Barriers in Yoga: The Power of Representation
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Finding Harmony Podcast

Harmony and Russell sit down with the inspiring Tamika Caston-Miller, a yoga futurist and the founder of Ashe Yoga Collective and Ranch Houston. Tamika shares her journey of discovering yoga, the challenges of navigating traditional yoga spaces as a Black woman in a larger body, and her mission to create inclusive and authentic yoga practices.

Key Points Discussed:

  • Tamika's introduction to yoga and her early experiences with breathwork and singing.
  • The concept of yoga nidra and its role in radical imagination and creating new realities.
  • The importance of representation and visibility in yoga, particularly for marginalized communities.
  • Tamika's experiences with body image and societal expectations within yoga spaces.
  • The impact of social media on yoga practice and the commercialization of yoga.
  • Tamika's projects, including Ranch Houston and Ashe Yoga Collective, and their focus on inclusivity and empowerment.
  • Practical advice on mindfulness and staying true to oneself amidst external pressures.

Join us for a powerful conversation that challenges conventional notions of yoga and highlights the transformative potential of inclusive practices.

More about Tamika Caston-Miller:

Tamika is an international yoga teacher, trainer, contributor toYoga Journal, and founder ofAshé Collective–an onlie platform & The Ranch Houston a space for community and collectivehealing through flowers, art & yoga.With special interest in yoga for renewal, transformation, and social justice, Tamika’s school andstudio have a special emphases on trauma-informed yoga, ancestral remembering, rest, andsomatics in support of traditionally marginalizedcommunities.Focused on creating rest, empowerment and inclusion through yoga both on & off the mat. Tamika Caston-Miller, E-RYT 500, curates yoga experiences and trainings in service ofcollective healing and community repair. Having begun her yoga journey in 2001 with a home practice, she now holds advanced certifications and training in Trauma-informed Yoga, Somatics, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Nidra. Tamika’s journey has been informed by chronic pain and injuries, social justice for QTBIPOC communities, the battle between shame and compassion and quest for ancestral healing, and the love for the practice and philosophy of yoga.

Connect with Tamika Caston-Miller:

 

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Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Finding Harmony

00:45 - Meet Tamika Caston Miller

02:01 - Tamika’s Background and Journey

02:53 - Harmony’s B School Mastermind

03:58 - Interview with Tamika Begins

04:29 - Tamika’s Louisiana Roots

07:54 - Cultural and Personal Reflections

16:49 - Challenges of Growing Up

25:08 - The Importance of Rest

33:07 - Navigating Yoga and Social Dynamics

34:02 - Intersectionality and Resilience

42:18 - Yoga Nidra and Radical Imagination

48:41 - Standing Firm in Personal Beliefs

49:15 - The Complexity of Representation

50:25 - Personal Struggles and Empathy

52:25 - The Power of Joy and Authenticity

55:44 - Navigating Identity and Relationships

01:03:04 - Challenges in the Yoga Community

01:06:06 - The Impact of Social Media on Yoga

01:08:41 - The Importance of Representation

01:15:47 - Yoga and Body Image

01:24:41 - Creating Inclusive Spaces

01:28:07 - Connecting with the Community

01:30:12 - Conclusion and Call to Action