The Revolution Will Be Embodied: Yoga for Social Change with Calli Popham

Episode Summary:

In this episode I chat with Senior Yoga teacher, TRE practitioner and studio owner Calli Popham about her journey from a traditional Ashtanga yoga background to an embodied and trauma-informed approach. Our conversation was really juicy but discussed:

• The evolution of Calli's yoga practice: Calli shares her personal journey of unlearning and rediscovering yoga through the lens of embodiment, nervous system regulation, and trauma-informed practices like TRE (Trauma Releasing Exercises).

• Creating safe and inclusive spaces: We chat about the importance of language, nervous system awareness, and creating a sense of belonging for all students, regardless of background or identity.

• The wellness industry and social justice: We delve into the need for the wellness industry to move beyond self-care and address social justice issues, advocating for inclusivity and accessibility for all.

• Cultural appropriation in yoga: Calli acknowledges the complexities of cultural appropriation in yoga and discusses how she strives to honor the practice's roots while making it more inclusive.

• Flow State's commitment to social justice: Calli highlights Flow State's efforts to support social causes through fundraising events and community classes, particularly her endeavours to support families in Gaza.

Highlights:

12:23 The Impact of TRE on Calli's Life

17:35 Creating Safe and Inclusive Yoga Spaces

32:30 Spiritual Bypassing in Yoga

33:17 Yoga as Activism and Oneness

34:14 Navigating Whitewashing in Yoga

50:17 Fundraising and Social Justice in Yoga

Resources Mentioned:

• Books:

  • Awakening the Spine by Vanda Scaravelli

  • Intelligent Yoga by Peter Blackaby

• Practices:

  • TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises)

  • Train with Calli: https://www.calliyoga.co.uk/embodied-beings-teacher-training

• Organisations:

  • All Our Relations (charity supporting girls and families)

  • Choose Love (humanitarian aid organization)

  • War Child (charity supporting children affected by war)

• People:

  • Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen (movement educator and researcher)

  • Georgie Francesca (yoga & meditation teacher)

Calls to Action:

Flow State fundraising Workshops: https://www.flowstate-hove.com/eventsworkshops

Brighton Half Marathon
Join our Run Team or sponsor us to run the Brighton half marathon for war child: https://www.justgiving.com/team/flowstate

About Calli:

Calli is a Senior Yoga Teacher, TRE (Trauma Releasing Exercises) practitioner, Co-Founder of Yoga & movement studio Flow State, in Hove and Founder  & lead teacher of Embodied Beings, an Embodied Yoga Teacher Training school. She shares embodied, creative, inquiry based practices and is passionate about shifting the landscape of yoga.

Connect with Megan:

• Instagram: @‌higherlove_withMegan

• Website: http://higher-love.com

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