Podcasting Is the New Kink‪!‬ Jasmine Gary

It's all about community. That was the resounding message in this episode with Meli Acevedo, certified yoga instructor, climate and environmental justice warrior, and overall badass! No matter what we talked about, the conversation always looped back to the importance of community and building trust. And, let me tell you, we discussed it all!
Disclaimer: Meli recorded this episode outside in her beautiful yard so you may hear wind blowing at times, adding to the ambience. Also, this episode is a little longer than usual, but I promise you it's worth it!
We talk:
Why it's important to build community - 12:05
My intro to yoga story - 25:31
Being aware of the energy shared in yoga classes - 33:14
Having discernment in helping - 41:41
Yoga is for every body. Period! - 55:57
Detaching from perfectionism - 1:07:36
Meli teaches us how to have the discernment to help others. Many times, we get so caught up in the "help," part, that we don't pay attention to the "how," or the "what." Meaning, we want to help people so badly that we aren't interested in how they need to be helped or what we can actually provide. Her advice is to take it step-by-step:
First ask yourself: what is your role in situation? Then ask yourself: what’s your capacity to help?Then, ask the person you want to help for permission
We also talk about perfection and I almost gagged when she said, "Perfection does not exist!" If you've listened to season one of this podcast or followed @pinkladyprod on Instagram or TikTok, then you heard me say something like this at least once. And it is something I absolutely believe!
I used to be a perfectionist. I would stress over every little detail of every little thing. How I looked, how I sounded, how I was perceived by everyone... I had to learn, through years of life coaching and a spiritual journey that is kicking my butt (in a good way), that what I was striving for was a fake, shallow version of myself. And, I had no control over all the things I was trying to control. What can go wrong, will go wrong! That's what they say in theatre, and it is especially true of life.
So here's my unsolicited advice to all of the perfectionists of the world: Instead of striving to be perfect, strive instead to do your best and be your authentic self.
Check out Meli on Instagram @fatbrowngirlyoga.
Episode References:
Hood Feminism - book by Mikki Kendall
DiRTYOGA on Insatgram
Ignite Yoga & Wellness Institute
Ep. 4 - Forget about perfection and start your podcast!
Ep. 44 - How to Feel Empowered and Rested with Ebony Molock
Ep. 46 - Finding Connection, Community, and Comfort in Yoga with Black Rose Yogini
*This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

Podcasting Is the New Kink! is a Black-owned, woman-owned podcast, and we support other Black, Indigenous, Women of Color-owned podcasts and businesses. We aim to educate and inspire. If that resonates with you, then become contributor now! Check us out for more info on how you can support. -> https://plus.acast.com/s/podcastingisthenewkink.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are back with another episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, and we are back with another amazing Black women yogi! Last week's episode was all about breathwork and I think it's a great segue back into our yogis because this episode is all about breath movement aka yoga.
Our western culture has made yoga seem like it's all about the poses! It's all about getting that burn and working out your body. But today we are getting a reminder of what yoga is really about: the breath. Today's yogi is a certified yoga instructor, children's author, and business owner, who has been in the wellness space for years. She fully understands pivoting in your business, because she has done it a number of times. And, she is actually a friend from high school, who hails from the great Paterson, NJ, just like me. Lol.
Her name is Qyera Parks and she works with children, teaching them yoga, and about mental health and wellness. And, ya'll know how much I love it! Working with children is not for the faint of heart. They will test you and try you in every way possible. But it is really one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. And, reaching them at a young age, teaching them how to manage their emotions and regulate their reactions is so important! It's really giving them a better chance at life.
In this episode we discuss the many phases of her business, going to India for her yoga teaching certification, being the only Black person in a yoga space, and much more!
We talk:
How Qyera's business started and the journey until now - 1:55
Benefits of yoga - 12:59
Being the only Black person in yoga spaces - 22:28
Mindful Moments with Friends': Breathwork for Kids 5-8 - 34:22
Advice for new yogis - 40:49
We also get pretty deep, talking about why many Black people don't try yoga. As much as I would love to blame "them" and say that yoga has been gentrified (which it has), Qyera brings up a great point about "us" not showing up. And, she is so right. Part of the reason I wanted to interview yogis this season was to introduce yoga to many of you who aren't interested because you think it's not for you. Let me tell you, it is absolutely for you. And I dare you to try it!
Check out Qyera's website cintalab.com and connect with her on IG @cintamoves
AND get her book Mindful Moments with Friends': Breathwork for Kids 5-8 on Amazon
Episode References:
Siddhant School of Yoga
The Lay Out
Dr. Masaru Emoto's water study
*This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com
Podcasting Is the New Kink! is a Black-owned, woman-owned podcast, and we support other Black, Indigenous, Women of Color-owned podcasts and businesses. We aim to educate and inspire. If that resonates with you, then become contributor now! Check us out for more info on how you can support. -> https://plus.acast.com/s/podcastingisthenewkink.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is not about yoga, and this episode's guest is not a Black woman, but bare with me and I promise it'll be worth your while! Today we are taking a break from yoga to talk about something that is similar because it also focuses on breath, but very different in the fact that it emphasizes only using the breath. We are diving into the world of breathwork with Darren Hagood of Heal Your Love Period (HYL.).
Did you know there are four stages of breathing? I used to think there were just two: inhale and exhale. But, it actually goes inhale, hold, exhale, hold, and so on and so forth. I learned that and so much more from Darren.
We talk:
The difference between yoga and breathwork - 2:31
What his customers get from his class - 13:14
Breath as our first language - 27:09
Advice for breathwork beginners - 37:22
History of breathwork and Christian teachings - 41:12
Why he started Heal Your Love Period - 1:00:47
Darren goes in about the long history of connection between breathwork and Christian teachings. And ya'll know I was hella excited to hear all about it! When I grew up in my strict Christian home and church, it was all about the trinity; father, son, holy spirit. But did you know that the translation of the word "spirit" comes from the word "pneuma," an ancient Greek word for "breath"? If you're anything like me then your mind is blown! Trust me, mine was!
Along with his wife Gloria, Darren created what they call the Black Love Healing Circle, and I can tell you from experience that it is just that. It includes breathwork, sound healing, and guided meditation, and it was an amazing experience that I would recommend for anyone, but especially people of color.
Soo... what are five benefits of breathwork for Black people? Mind you, there are plenty more, but we'll focus on five.
better sleeprelease of toxinslower blood pressureactivation of the prefrontal cortex, where our creativity isconnection to the divine breath
Listen to the episode for more info about each one.
References:
Michael B. Beckwith
Stanislav Grof
Leonard Orr
Connect with Darren on Instagram @healyourloveperiod and their website healyourloveperiod.com
*This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com
Podcasting Is the New Kink! is a Black-owned, woman-owned podcast, and we support other Black, Indigenous, Women of Color-owned podcasts and businesses. We aim to educate and inspire. If that resonates with you, then become contributor now! Check us out for more info on how you can support. -> https://plus.acast.com/s/podcastingisthenewkink.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of my favorite things about yoga is how versatile it can be! Yoga can be a real workout where you push yourself to see what your body can do. It can be a meditation with slow movement and long holds. Or, it can be anything on that spectrum. It really just depends on what your body needs and what you want to get out of it. We talk about this in depth in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, with Black Rose Yogini! It was a pretty intimate conversation and we truly connected on a spiritual level. I share my intro to yoga story and tell Rose how she inspires me.
Rose is a certified yoga teacher and the title Black Rose Yogini fits her so well! She is an amazing Black woman, her name is Rose, and yoga is her jam! Today we discuss our introductions to yoga, getting out of our comfort zones, how yoga can effect your healing journey, and much more!
One thing Rose wishes everyone knew about yoga is that is it for you! You may think that it's for white people, or that you have to be thin and flexible, or that it won't work for you, or whatever. But the truth is this: yoga is for everyone and it can be super beneficial for your life! She encourages us to just give it a try because you will definitely see the difference almost immediately.
We talk:
Rose getting her certification in India - 5:16
How yoga found her - 13:55
Why Black women should practice yoga - 21:25
One thing Rose wants everyone to know about yoga - 33:49
The versatility of yoga - 42:09
Trying new things and getting out of your comfort zone - 52:07
Connect with Rose on Instagram @black_rose_yogini
*This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com
Podcasting Is the New Kink! is a Black-owned, woman-owned podcast, and we support other Black, Indigenous, Women of Color-owned podcasts and businesses. We aim to educate and inspire. If that resonates with you, then become contributor now! Check us out for more info on how you can support. -> https://plus.acast.com/s/podcastingisthenewkink.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, you! Yea, you! The woman that is interested in yoga but has no idea where to start. This episode is just for you! It's literally an intro to yoga teaching you the basics of yoga and its origins in the Hindu religion. There's also a lot of joking and laughter. :) Today I talk to my homegirl, Zikea McCurdie, yogi, health coach, and all-around wellness guru about the benefits of yoga, especially for Black people.
7 benefits (7:42):
Improved balanceBetter breathingBetter sleepReduced stressIncreased flexibilityStrengthened mind/body connectionImproved cardiovascular health
Zikea dives into the 4 types of yoga (12:54):
HathaVinyasaYinRestorative
She teaches us about the chakras (18:32):
Root - redSacral - orangeSolar plexus - yellowHeart - greenThroat - blueThird-eye - indigoCrown - purpleHands and feet
And, she talks about yoga extending beyond the mat (25:29):
Yoga SutrasDharmaKarma
Zikea shares a bunch of great resources and advice to get you started on your journey. For example, she tells beginners to think about what works for you and start small. Don't commit to doing yoga everyday for 2-hours a day and then wonder why you can't keep up. Commit to one class. You can even commit to a free class on youtube or other social media. Start small and take it from there.
We also talk about the most important thing: your breath! Do not forget to breathe!
So I hope you are ready to take notes, because this episode is just the jolt you need!
Check out Zikea on Instagram @doseofvitamin.z
Episode references:
Kennedy High School, Paterson, NJ
Howard University!, Washington, DC
Eastside Park, Paterson, NJ
Warrior Goddess Fitness, Elmwood Park, NJ
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, book by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
Khepera Wellness Yoga Studio
Avatar: The Last Airbender, S2 E19 - The Guru
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Live Action)
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Bhagavad Gita, book by Ved Vyas
Jenna Warriner - Marketing Coach
*This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com


Podcasting Is the New Kink! is a Black-owned, woman-owned podcast, and we support other Black, Indigenous, Women of Color-owned podcasts and businesses. We aim to educate and inspire. If that resonates with you, then become contributor now! Check us out for more info on how you can support. -> https://plus.acast.com/s/podcastingisthenewkink.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to season 7 of Podcasting Is the New Kink! This season is all about Black women yogis and it will be filled with many different yoga practitioners who have one thing in common: being committed to wellness and healing. To start it off, I interviewed Ebony Molock, Founder of Empowered Rest Yoga, and we talk about taking up space, yoga extending off the mat, expanding your knowledge, being empowered and rested, and much more!
We talk:
The difference between Shakti and empowered rest - 3:56
Steps Ebony took to pivot her business - 19:08
Benefits of yoga - 28:49
One thing everyone needs to know about yoga - 40:04
Advice for yoga beginners - 51:20
One of the main themes that kept coming up in this interview was the notion of getting unstuck and making a change. Have you ever felt stuck? Like you were running on autopilot doing the same thing over and over, and couldn't make any changes? Like you could see the path you wanted, but you couldn't take the steps to get there? I've felt like that at multiple points in my life, but I felt it the most right before I got laid off. If you've heard my story then you know that I was miserable working full-time in a job I hated and having multiple side-hustles just to have a creative outlet. Instead of making a choice, I waited for something to change.
That layoff was my wake-up call. I started my podcasting business shortly after that, and this podcast shortly after that. I was sort of, pushed out of my comfort zone. But, you don't have to wait for that push. You can choose to get unstuck and change to your life, and in this episode, Ebony talks about the steps she took when it was time for her to do just that:
Found a new job that paid moreCut off multiple yoga classes/hustled lessTook more yoga classes/deepened educationDove in!
Now, she never said it was easy. She actually said that it wasn't easy to follow this calling, especially at first. But, once she let go and trusted in God and put herself in the position to receive, she got a flood of support, letting her know that she made the right decision.
Check out Ebony's website yogawithebony.com and Instagram @blackyogi_magic
Episode references:
Sanskrit Moon Yoga
Yoga & Mimosas - Every Sunday in May!
empwrd.rest.yoga
*This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

Podcasting Is the New Kink! is a Black-owned, woman-owned podcast, and we support other Black, Indigenous, Women of Color-owned podcasts and businesses. We aim to educate and inspire. If that resonates with you, then become contributor now! Check us out for more info on how you can support. -> https://plus.acast.com/s/podcastingisthenewkink.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.