BOOKS WE LOVE

BOOKS WE LOVE

BOOKS WE LOVE

Review by: Tashya Knight

BOOK CLUB

We Heal Together Rituals and Practices for Building Community and Connection By Michelle Cassandra Johnson
We Heal Together
Rituals and Practices for Building Community and Connection
By Michelle Cassandra Johnson

 

Healing is an arduous journey, but when taken together in community, it can be sweeter. As Michelle Cassandra Johnson says in the first chapter of her book, “I have leaned into grief-permitted it to move through my entire being and, as a result, I felt less suffering and more freedom.” We all want to find this freedom, but to do so, we must take on the work and then share what we learn with others. We find our unity amongst the community. Michelle says “As we build from what has been uncovered, we cannot do it alone.”

In We Heal Together, we are led through eight chapters exploring how we create communion and ritual, uncovering our lineage and legacy, finding moments of joy, and how to use our dreams as messengers for how to move forward.

Each chapter contains useful journal prompts allowing the reader to dive deeper into concepts taught and explore their own thinking and awareness. This is combined with practices to be done individually and/or with community so that we may help each other find the healing and transformation we are seeking. We learn to hold space for one another and invite each other in for learning and ritual. Through understanding the collective unresolved trauma we inherited from our ancestors we move into honoring each other and not leaving others behind as we commit to taking action for the collective good and the healing of all beings. 

As we are reminded in the last chapter, “The belief that we are separate is a dangerous myth that arrests our ability to see how truly interdependent we are.The myth of separation makes us believe we can live our lives on our own and that we should be able to do everything without help.” We must instead recognize our interconnectedness with all beings and strive to heal this separation and suffering. And we are guided in doing just that through the practices, rituals, and teachings in this book.


Tashya Knight is the founder of Wellness 13, a Wellness Lifestyle Coach, Yoga Teacher and member of the Yoga Love Magazine team. Learn more about Tashya here

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: FREE STATE YOGA FESTIVAL

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: FREE STATE YOGA FESTIVAL

Festival Spotlight: FREE STATE YOGA FESTIVAL

Aug 5, 2023
Lawrence, KS

FESTIVALS

Bend Yoga Festival - Group Photo
Looking for something to do this August? We are thrilled yoga festivals are back and can’t wait to check out all the amazing events taking place around the world. This week we had a chance to connect with Krystal Denham, Director of Free State Yoga Festival taking place in Lawrence, KS who we are thrilled to partner with! You will be able to get complimentary copies of our magazine at this festival! 

What inspired you to create a festival?
The seeds of inspiration first took root during yoga teacher training, while exploring many modalities of yoga and meditation for my certification. I am driven by the realization that yoga holds the key to unlocking the dormant potential within, I yearned to channel this transformative power into an event that would envelop all students in its ethereal embrace. My vision is to weave together the wisdom of revered yogis, the grace of movement, and the nourishment of conscious living. Free State Yoga Festival manifests the belief that through the unison of body, mind, and spirit, we can transcend limitations and embark on a transformative journey toward self-realization.

What makes your festival unique?
Picture a kaleidoscope of community experiences, workshops, classes, discussions, vendor shopping, and food for all diet where the extraordinary becomes ordinary and the mundane is left far behind. FS Yoga Fest dances upon the edge of innovation, a mystical realm where ancient wisdom harmonizes with contemporary expressions. It is here that tradition embraces evolution, forging a path that simultaneously honors the roots of yoga and dares to venture into uncharted territories. At the heart of our festival lies inclusivity and an opportunity for self-discovery. We celebrate an array of yoga styles, inviting renowned teachers to guide practitioners on an exquisite journey. Imploring our students to find a yoga style they love. From Hatha to Vinyasa, Kundalini to Ashtanga, Buti to SUP Yoga, our festival is a melting pot where yoga unfolds in all its glorious forms.

What offering/presenter or class are you most excited about for this year’s event? 
I am thrilled for the entire day. I would love to attend all our presenters’ offerings. And, as the owner of the SUP Yoga company, I am most excited to share my passion and teach SUP Yoga. 

INSTAGRAM: @fsyogafest
FACEBOOK: @fsyogafest
Bend Yoga Festival - Logo
Bend Yoga Festival - Logo
SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: HANUMAN FESTIVAL

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: HANUMAN FESTIVAL

Festival Spotlight: HANUMAN FESTIVAL

July 14-16, 2023
Colorado

PROFILES

FESTIVALS

Bend Yoga Festival - Group Photo
Looking for something to do this July? We are thrilled yoga festivals are back and can’t wait to check out all the amazing events taking place around the world. This week we had a chance to connect with Yoshi Aono – founder of Hanuman Festival taking place in Colorado who we are thrilled to partner with! You will be able to get complimentary copies of our magazine at this festival! 

What inspired you to create a festival?
I wanted a place where the community could collectively transform and grow through the years. I saw the importance of and was inspired by bringing in high level mindfulness teachings for the community.

What makes your festival unique?
Hanuman festival is unique in that there is wisdom and education around climate consciousness and why it is important to support local farming communities. The event has shifted from a large festival to a family gathering feel.

What offering/presenter or class are you most excited about for this year’s event? 
I am excited to have Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor return to Hanuman Festival. I am also excited about the climate wisdom that will be part of the event.

INSTAGRAM: @hanumancommunity
FACEBOOK: @HanumanFestival
Bend Yoga Festival - Logo
YOGA MOXI

YOGA MOXI

YOGA MOXI

Yoga Purse

An App for Yoga Teachers

Yoga Moxi is a yoga app designed (mostly) for newer yoga teachers who have recently completed their first Teacher Training and are ready to teach.

After a teacher completes their first 200 hours of training, (RYT 200 = Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hours), they may be nervous, or not have total confidence in how to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills. Yoga Moxi provides tips, reminders, guidance, and instruction to help build confidence as they start their teaching journey.

The app contains content ranging from “Themes for Class” to advice (as consideration) on “Yoga Business”. All categories of content are arranged in a similar order to how a class may be “crafted” from start to finish. Within each category will be short snippets of reminders, or tips yoga teachers can refer to quickly – all at their finger-tips.y, inspiring, and safe space for all cancer survivors to thrive and connect.