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TSM Season 3 Episode 38: Bridging Cultures, Yoga, Violence Prevention & Healing Of Generations

Welcome to Episode 38, Season 3 of “Triggers and Spiritual Medicine” with your host, Laura Bonetzky Joseph, and our Everlutionary guest, Hawah Kasat.

In this episode, Laura and Hawah engaged in a rich discussion on personal experiences, cultural identities, spiritual practices, and what it takes to be truly “Everlutionary”. They emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces and addressing global challenges with love, empathy, and cooperation.

Hawah shared stories of his upbringing in New Jersey and summers in India, which shaped his views on racism, xenophobia, and the need for healing. He discussed navigating cultural identities, founding the nonprofit One Common Unity, and becoming a UN delegate. Hawah highlighted the importance of expanding perspectives, finding joy in service, and the mental attitude necessary for spiritual growth.

Both Laura and Hawah discussed the challenges of translating spiritual practices like Reiki and yoga across cultures and spoke about the need for fostering belonging and redefining success.

We conclude with Hawah sharing 3 tips that emphasize the importance of creating safe spaces, fostering understanding, and addressing global challenges through love, empathy, and cooperation.

As always, please share, like, and support if you found this episode helpful.

 

About Hawah:

An award-winning author, educator, non-profit leader, TEDx speaker, poet, and yogi. For over 20 years, Hawah has been teaching violence prevention, social-emotional literacy, conflict transformation, the healing arts, trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and yoga to all types of students, from diverse demographics, around the globe.

Since childhood, Hawah has been exposed to the living traditions, culture, philosophy, and practices of his ancestral homeland of India, and offers a rare perspective on Eastern and Western dichotomies.

Hawah is co-founder and former Executive Director of One Common Unity (OCU), an award-winning non-profit organization that has impacted the lives of over 40,000 youth and families.

In 2018, OCU was awarded the National SHIFT Award for its pioneering work in integrating the healing arts with environmental stewardship. In 2019, Hawah was honored to receive Georgetown University’s “Legacy Of A Dream” Award at the Kennedy Center. The University presents the award annually to an inspirational emerging leader whose work embodies the values and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In the years prior, Hawah worked as an Americorps community organizer and mentor in Washington, D.C.’s most under-resourced neighborhood.

After graduating from American University, he was awarded a fellowship with the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation to work as a special representative to the United Nations and the World Conference Against Racism.

Hawah has made appearances on XM National Satellite Radio, BBC, Fox News, NBC, ABC, CNN, The Washington Post, NPR, and Al Jazeera.  He has also been a guest speaker at Yale University, George Washington University, U.C.L.A., University of Colorado, Rollins College, University of Maryland, Georgetown University, Brown University, and many others.

Most recently, he helped launch Roots to Sky Sanctuary, a 125-acre BIPOC led regenerative farm and healing arts center situated in northern Appalachia where he serves as a Managing Partner. Over the years he has authored 4 books and produced 3 documentary films, including the widely acclaimed, “Fly By Light.”

Hawah Links

  • www.HawahKasat.com
  • Everlutionary Podcast on Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3yxTpXD
  • https://linktr.ee/everlutionary
  • IG & FB – @hawahkasat
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Triggers & Spiritual Medicine Episode #8: Addressing Trauma in Yoga

Welcome to Episode 8 of Triggers and Spiritual Medicine podcast with host, Laura Bonetzky-Joseph and guest trauma educator, Melanie Brown TOPIC: Addressing Trauma in Yoga Practices

In this episode, Melanie shares her experiences as a trauma survivor, yogi, and trauma educator when she went to a yoga class in the Boston area that was NOT only as advertised – which created harm – but when the class actually triggered Melanie, the yoga instructor was dismissive of the harm the class had which created a secondary harm.

We talk about white washing sacred practices and the various unintentional harms committed by westerners.

Melanie shares 3 tips for yoga instructors and studio owners on how to improve so unintentional harm is NOT perpetrated, and she share 3 tips for anyone looking for a yoga class on how to find one that is more trauma informed.

Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Scroll below for more resources and information.

Click here to watch: Triggers & Spiritual Medicine Episode #8: Addressing Trauma in Yoga

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ABOUT MELANIE:

Embeing’s® Melanie Lynn Brown holds an MA Ed. in Mindful Education and Trauma Studies from Lesley University and a BA in Government from Smith. She has spent 20 years working in Education with trauma survivors and in political advocacy. She formed Embeing®, a consultancy, to teach and promote both macro and micro trauma education, trauma-informed policies and compassionate systems analysis. She takes on a limited number of personal clients, primarily under 18 years, to support nervous system regulation and holistic wellness. Her clients include trauma survivors and autistic young people. Her approach is best described as “empowerment through education.” You can reach Melanie at: www.embeingempowered.com

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS:

ABOUT TRIGGERS & SPIRITUAL MEDICINE:

Vision: To break the unrecognized endemic of unresolved unhealed trauma & create sustainable systems for recovery, healing & empowerment.

Mission: To help others rediscover the power that lies within and to find that treasure buried in the depths of the shadows. To help them become their own superhero.

We hope by addressing the intersectionality and connect the dots like a web of many of society’s challenges, we can help others understand the trauma infection that impacts all areas of life – addiction, domestic violence, racism, homelessness, sexual abuse, chronic health issues, cancer, environmental issues, climate change and more. In this NEW collaborative program, we hope by highlighting these infected areas and what they share in common, a new perspective of solutions, healing, and resolutions can be birthed.

Click here for more information: https://laurahealingwithspirit.com/healing/trauma/triggers-spiritual-medicine/