The Afro Yoga Podcast
By Afro Yoga
IG | @afroyogabyangie
Web | afroyoga.org
The Afro Yoga PodcastJul 27, 2022
Yoga Teacher Training Q&A: Community Interview
What does the path to becoming a yoga teacher look like? What should you consider as an existing teacher when thinking about building a wellness business? All this and a lot more in this video where @drftsaleem interviews me about my yoga teaching journey.
Note: Decolonize Your Teaching Mentorship Program has reopened, apply for the mentorship program here. I'll also be co-facilitating on my first official YTT at iyaKIN led by an amazing Black woman named Biola. Learn more about the YTT here.
Black Business: The 9-5 Entrepreneurs with Nicole Carter
The realities of starting a business and stepping into the unfamiliar can be very intimidating. In this talk Nicole Carter, Mental Health Therapist of over 20 years (on ig: @msnicole_c) gives us scientific background and understanding of what is happening in our nervous system as we begin to step outside the comfort zone.
We talk about building familiarity with entrepreneurship, dreaming big and stepping out on faith to manifest the things we really want in life. Y'all enjoy this one and remember that it's okay to go slow and start small.
Black Business: Investment As A Wholistic Practice w/ Paige Willis
Reframing investment as a wholistic practice is what @undonebypaige did so eloquently and beautifully in this episode of our Black Business series. Paige shares with us her story and what led her to becoming a yoga teacher and building a wellness brand that has deep purpose, vision and unwavering commitment to creating real impact.
Paige is also an alumni of the Decolonize Your Teaching Mentorship Program, an immersive 8-week experience for wellness professionals who want to build a brand that has real impact and monetize in ways that are authentic and in service to community. Apply here to join the Round 10 cohort by March 31st.
Black Business: From Lack to Abundance with Youmie Jean Francois
A guarantee that your whole life will be gathered with this single episode. Youmie speaks so beautifully and passionately to growing up in Haiti and moving to the U.S. where she unfolded her understanding of both lack and abundance. Now a successful entrepreneur with a company called Flex-n-Fly that bridges the gap between travel and wellness, we talk about the mindset, education and belief it takes to be a business owner today.
Don't miss this episode. Connect with Youmie here and if you're interested the Decolonize Your Teaching Mentorship Program, apply here.
Black Business: Carving Your Lane in the Wellness Industry with Megan Noel
Note: Somehow this episode only recorded halfway through from our IG live, catch the full conversation here.
How Megan went from being a yoga teacher to a successful full-time wellness entrepreneur designing brands and websites in 2 years. This is a real, raw conversation on what it takes to build a business, knowing when to pivot and the importance of investing in mentors who can shorten the learning curve and set you up for success.
I hope y’all enjoy this one and holla at @wellwithnoel if you’re in the wellness space looking for brand and web design.
Apply for my Decolonize Your Teaching Mentorship Program here.
Black Business: Building Community in Your City with Kirsten Johnson
In part 1 of this new series on Black Business Kirsten breaks down how to carve your own path, transform your mindset, tap into your value and build your business as you center community. Kirsten @in_her_voices gathered our whole lives in this conversation as a Black woman who is retired and serving the most overlooked communities while making yoga accessible to the people with her work as President of @yogamovesus.
Learn more about the Decolonize Your Teaching Mentorship Program here.
Reinvestment: The New Wave of Culture-Driven Entrepreneurs
Kemetic yoga is making waves and so are Black yoga teachers and teachers of color. We have realized that we have to be our own leaders and our own healers. A new wave of wellness is sweeping through as culture-driven yoga teachers are becoming astute entrepreneurs to build something that creates change.
In this episode I talk more in depth about what's needed to build from a yoga teacher to a wellness entrepreneur, how I got started and the steps I took as well as how I organize my time and schedule to efficiently work. Some things to look out for:
Decolonize Your Teaching Mentorship Program, Round 10
Black Yoga Retreat, October 13-17, 2022 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Reclamation: Kemetic Healing for Black People (The Missing Link)
It’s been fascinating to see how many people all of sudden feel so connected to yoga when they never did before. I’ve had people tell me they saw flashes of Egypt, of their ancestors and just generally felt so in tune with the practice.
Realizing and remembering our connection to wellness as part of our bloodline, lineage and legacy are inherently healing for us — this is one the missing links as we bridge the gap to knowledge of self and embody who we’ve always been.
We hope you enjoyed this discussion and you can practice Kemetic Yoga with me on the online studio and at our virtual donation based classes.
Revolution: African Yoga in an Anti-Black World
In this episode of the BHM series Johnika continues her interview into my experience and approach to Black wellness and Kemetic yoga. In this chat we discuss the importance of researching outside of social media, finding like minded people, connecting to our roots and as such slowly revolutionizing our lives and standing more firmly in our power, individually and collectively. We hope you enjoyed this discussion! Check out afroyoga.org for more ways to connect!
Roots: Becoming a Basu (My Kemetic Yoga Teacher Origins)
Our Black Wellness series kicks off discussing my journey to becoming a Basu (Kemetic Yoga Instructor), the importance of reclaiming wellness, when and how to practice yoga and some additional context around the art of teaching a great yoga class, especially for teachers of color.
Huge thanks to Johnika @pursesuitandtravel for her amazing questions and insights as a fellow Basu.
S3 E7: Becoming the Alchemist w/ Didier M'Ponte
In our final episode of the season we dive into meditation, knowledge of self and becoming the alchemist. A huge thank you to our amazing guest @didiermponte of @madebylightandwater and of course my incredible co-host @msnicole_c.
We thank you, we love you and appreciate you so much for being with us this season. Peace!
Find more about Didier's work https://www.lightandwater.org/
S3 E6: Finding Your Passion and Path to Wellness
In this episode we have some technical difficulties but plenty of dope gems as we discuss:
Moving beyond your environment.
Exploring who you are with curiosity.
Finding your passion.
Unfolding your own path to wellness.
Give thanks to my lovely co-host @msnicole_c and our guest @nhaystings an amazing entrepreneur doing great things in Sacramento.
S3 E6: Mid-Season Recap w/ Co-Host Nicole Carter
In this episode Nicole and I take a moment to recap on the first half of the season. Nicole shares some full moon rituals and we get into a beautiful conversation themed around the evolution of Black men, returning to Self and standing in our power. We hope you enjoy!
S3 E5: Finding Liberation Through Travel
In this episode we talk about the power of finding yourself through travel, experiencing boundlessness and freedom — especially through the mental and structural limitations of being Black in America.
This conversation was an entire bag of gems with my amazing co-host @msnicole_c and our guest @ashton.ragsdale who dropped major insight on how travel changed his perspective on life and on himself.
S3 E4: Accessing Your Creative Power with Roshaun Davis
In this episode @msnicole_c and I talk with @thespiritualhomie who drops major game in how to live an intentionally created and joy-filled life. He shares his story and how hip-hop music inspired him and gave him wisdom to overcome adversity in his environment.
This one is full of gems!
S3 E3: The Military Black Man with T Franklin
In this episode we interview my dad, T Franklin, @fatsfranklin where he shares a wealth of life experiences including growing up a military brat, enlisting in the Air Force himself and how the foundation of who he is developed from it. From traveling all over the world, to dealing with racial stress and trauma in America, to developing his self-care, healing practices and financial literacy to find a sense of wellbeing.
We hope you enjoy this candid episode!
S3 E2: A Yogi Athelete is Born with Amir Madison
In episode 2 we talk with @amir_yogiathlete founder of @yogiathlete who takes us through his wellness journey of self-discovery. He talks about growing up in South Los Angeles, finding yoga, healing trauma through the practice and transforming into his true self.
We hope you enjoy this amazing conversation filled with gems!
S3 E1: Why Love Always Wins with Stephan Houston
Nicole and I kick off season 3 of the Afro Yoga Podcast with an incredible discussion about love with our LA homie, Stephan Houston. Stephan shares intimately about his experience as a Black man working in the prison system, taking a leap of faith to start his plant-based catering business and the journey of embodying love. We share tips on how to practice self-love, the importance of being true to who you are strengthening your sense of self. This was an epic episode we hope you enjoy and share!
Find Stephan Houston on Instagram at @plateofhue
BONUS EPISODE: INTENTIONAL INTERSECTIONALITY W/ OWL RARE
A special conversation today with Owl Rare, who shares with us some intimate details of their life and the journey to wellness, increasing representation and access for LGBTQ. Connect and support their amazing work below:
Imani Yoga:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qtpocyoga/imani-faith-yoga/community
Podcast: QTPOC Talks
https://open.spotify.com/show/5cpYgLHbpD45rc2qUtPES0?si=_oh3gqigRcufUzZ7sALp9g
Instagram: @owlrare
Black + Well Abroad: Marseille, France
Accidentally discovering yoga, it transforms her life and she becomes a yoga teacher.
Noticing the lack of wellness resources and experiences for Black people and African immigrants in Marseille, she became passionate about building an inclusive and diverse community.
Listen in for this powerful conversation.
Black + Well Abroad: Canada
Val also shares her journey from running ragged in her 9-5 to becoming a yoga teacher and how her decision changed her life.
Bonus: Tips on choosing the right yoga teacher training, how a commitment to therapy has been transformational for Angie and how to live from a place of love.
We hope you enjoy this joy filled episode.
Black + Well Abroad: Bequia
We talked about the cutthroat wellness studio culture in NYC, the cultural divides in the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and how it all plays a role for accessibility and participation in yoga.
Black + Well Abroad: Dakar, Senegal
We spoke about yoga as self-improvement practice on and off the mat, where it intersects with Islam, the embodiment of yoga in its African origins and the power of that representation.
It was an honor to speak with Rugi as we shared our passion and love for the practice of yoga.
Find Rugi on IG @rugiyatujournal
Black + Well Abroad: Cuba
From her experience of being a Black woman in Cuba to being open to new ways of healing in the midst of so much change, she highlights the importance of meeting yourself where YOU are. Find Kaylaa on IG: @thepeoplesmd
Black + Well Abroad: Abu Dhabi
Black + Well Abroad: Glasgow, Scotland
Black + Well Abroad: Stockholm, Sweden
Black + Well Abroad: London
Today we kick off Season II of The Afro Yoga Podcast with @chloesm16 coming to us live from London.
The goal of this series is to highlight the state of Black wellness while celebrating our unique and varied experiences around the world as Black people. In this episode, Chloe shares with us some of her experiences working at a meditation studio in London and her views on the missing representation and participation in wellness.
PART 4: YOGA TEACHER TO WELLNESS ENTREPRENEUR
Our final part of this special series wraps up with Caroline Collins of @solfloyoga. We talked about the importance of representation in wellness spaces, carving our own lanes, merging our passions to serve our communities and generational healing. I even shed a few tears at the end realizing the impact this work has on US, our families and our communities. Enjoy the listen.
PART 3: YOGA TEACHER TO WELLNESS ENTREPRENEUR
Megan from @wellwithnoel joins us in this episode to talk about her journey into yoga from a flight attendant who experienced a lot of anxiety traveling. She speaks on her black led yoga teacher training in Oakland and how the Decolonize Your Teaching mentorship program gave her the business tools and skills necessary to build her business. She now sells wellness products and serves her community through online yoga classes and more. We hope you enjoy part 3 of the series.
PART 2: YOGA TEACHER TO WELLNESS ENTREPRENEUR
Shakeelah Sutton from D.C. graces us with her wisdom, insight and reflections in part 2 of our series. She speaks about discovering yoga as a tool that helped her deal with the discomfort of her autoimmune disease and how it ignited her passion to share the power of yoga with others. She also speaks about breaking free of generational trauma and teaching yoga to kids in the school system. This episode is loaded with gems, enjoy the listen.
PART 1: YOGA TEACHER TO WELLNESS ENTREPRENEUR
In this special 4 part series we talk with London Lucille, a graduate of our Decolonize Your Teaching Mentorship Program on her journey towards entrepreneurship. London shares with us her experience of defending yoga teachers of color, getting fired from a yoga studio for speaking up and how growing her business ethically and with service at the center has made all the difference. This was a powerful discussion, we hope you enjoy it.
EP: 15 — YOUR BRAIN ON YOGA
Our Mental Health Therapist and co-host Nicole Carter spoke beautifully and warmly to how we can tend to our mental wellness. From how our brain is naturally wired, to bringing unison between the mind and heart to interrupting our innate stress response — this episode is FULL with gems on self-love. In addition, we discussed the parallels to how we can use what we experience in our yoga practice in our everyday lives. Enjoy the episode!
EP: 14 — COMMUNITY BUILDING
An unexpected turn of events when Nicole takes a long moment to celebrate Angie and IG live goes crazy in support of it. True community building at it's finest. In a second turn of events, the conversation cuts short as Angie's iPhone charger decides to not let her be great and stops working. Although the conversation got cut short, it was a worthy and beautiful listen.
EP: 13 — VISUAL BRANDING
In this episode of the Decolonize Your Teaching series, Angie and Nicole talk about the importance of a visual brand identity. They touch on colors, fonts and imagery as the foundation to your brand and how to convey that authentically to connect with your audience.
Note: Apologies for the background noise, I wasn't in my usual location.
EP: 12 — INTUITIVE BUSINESS
For part 2 of our Decolonize Your Teaching series, Angie and Nicole talk about how to decipher between thoughts and intuition. We also talk about how to observe the clues that help us take action towards our vision. Finally, we talk about how to balance business decisions between intuition and analytics. Enjoy the episode and pre-register for our online yoga studio to practice yoga with Angie!
EP: 11 — THE POWER OF CLARITY
Part 1 of our Decolonize Your Teaching series is a jam packed episode where Angie speaks about the power of getting clear about your vision. From identifying the challenges and distractions to living in our purpose to developing the confidence to walk firmly on our path, Angie infuses this podcast with inspiration. With our co-host Nicole out for this episode, Angie does a live 1-1 consultation with a young black woman and helps her sort through her ideas and create a strategy to promote her work. Truly a gem of show.
EP: 10 — THAT'S MY TYPE
Angie and Nicole get into the various types of yoga styles, their benefits and who they're good for. Learn what type of yoga is for you and why your first class or experience shouldn't be your last. For experienced yogis, get a refresher of the styles that are out there and lean into the type that best fits your mood and energy. You can join us live for this podcast every Wednesday on IG live at 10A PST @afroyogabyangie.
EP: 09 — MEDITATE AND CHILL
A guided beach meditation by Angie and discussion with Nicole on how to positively impact our nervous system. We also get into the benefits of meditation and Kemetic yoga. Every Weds we record this podcast on IG Live at 10A PST. @afroyogabyangie
EP: 08 — F*CK YOUR YOGA STUDIO
EP: 07 — THE SCIENCE OF YOGA
EP: 06 — IN THE FLOW
EP: 05 — THE GOLDEN BUDDHA
EP: 04 — NICE FOR WHAT
EP.03 — WORKING WELLNESS
EP.01 — RIGHT USE OF ENERGY
