Think Flow Grow

Welcome to the Voyeur Season! This season is all about real talk and unedited, adult conversations with friends and teachers about yogic concepts and life. In this episode (S3E1), Tamika discusses how yoga teachers and studio staff felt while working in the typical studio environment with fellow teacher Shahrzad Kahkeshani and yogi & horticultural therapist in training, Kelly Lawless. Now that Covid has forced all to be who they really are without their normal coping mechanisms, some things revealed weren't really what we expected. Amongst Shahrzad's sniffles (allergies--not Covid) and the farm noises in the background, they discuss yoga as a consumed product in the West, consumerism in general, and the student-teacher relationship with a few other rants. (While this is framed within the context of yoga, having spent more than a decade as a public school teacher, the same applies!) 

In Season 2, episode 5, Tamika Caston-Miller discusses issues around racism, particularly as it relates to the Black community, with conservative former talk show host and consultant, Natalie Arceneaux. Tune in to gain some perspective on how the African American community is feeling in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, and what healing is possible from here if people are intentional about seeking it. The show was recorded live and in the time of coronavirus, therefore some sound quality issues will be experienced. Tamika & Natalie also discuss difficult issues in their co-led nascent project, Coffee Conversations + Queening, a tv show that brings two Black women together who are different in many ways (politics, sexual orientation, religion), but are willing to listen to one another to find common ground in a world that seems to prefer separation. @narceneaux | www.inallwaysandalways.com @diva_transcending | www.asheyoga.com | @the_ranch_houston @coffee.convo.queening | www.facebook.com/coffee.convo.queening | Coffee Conversations + Queening on YouTube

When does a cult become a cult? What's the difference between a cult and a mainline religion? How do conscious communities become insidious and parasitic? In Season 2, Episode 4, Tamika discusses these questions, notorious cults and the use of that word, and possible ways of moving beyond predatory communities with co-host, Kim Pence, of the Kindness Sanctuary. Find more about Kim Pence at KimPenceLight.com and learn more about the intentional community she is building, the Kindness Sanctuary via @kimpencelight on Instagram. Let me know your thoughts by emailing me at tamika@asheyoga.com and find out more about The Ranch Houston at asheyoga.com.

Have you been experiencing anxiety? Fear? Unable to sleep? Or are you actually thriving, right now? In Season 2, Episode 3, Tamika and Lenie Caston-Miller define and discuss the two global experiences the world community is having during this time of the coronavirus pandemic, and the experiences that go along with it. Addressing anxiety, delusion, fear, PTSD, and grief, Tamika guides the discussion from the perspectives of an LGBTQ, Black yogini and an Iraqi War Veteran while applying yoga philosophy and history into a relatable context for anyone experiencing trauma, grief, and the healing journey to growth.  Discourse includes: gaslighting, especially within the LGBTQ community, but also amongst those who fall outside of the mores of their family culture; the road to healing from PTSD; and vikalpa -- imagination vs. delusion and viparyaya -- incorrect fact creation. The episode wraps with tools to use to move beyond current states of fear, anxiety, or insecurity.   Think Flow Grow Live is recorded with a livestream audience. Please join us next time live, Thursdays at 3PM CT.

Have you ever wondered how we got to this place of being with ourselves and without life’s distractions has become difficult, and even painful? In Season 2, Episode 2, Kim Pence and I discuss creating compassion and awareness in a Covid-19 world and beyond. Kim Pence is a transformational energy healer midwifing the soul from shadow into light. Listen to or share this discourse on shadow work, compassion, healing, ancestral trauma, re-connecting, and self care. This episode was recorded live in an effort to bring you into the conversation.   Be a part of the show through your real time comments or call in to share your perspective every Wednesday at 2:30PM. Find and connect with Kim Pence on kimpencelight.com and join the Kindness Sanctuary on the website of the same name. The Kindness Sanctuary hosts a weekly Zoom meeting Tuesdays at 6PM CDT/CST. Become a patron of Ashé Yoga on Patreon! Get weekly meditations, compassionate yoga asana classes, education, special events and more at Patreon.com/tamikacastonmiller.

The question has been asked: What does life look like when this is all over? Live Recordings are what's in store for Season 2. Episode 1 was recorded live during the coronavirus pandemic, discusses the 5 likely outcomes of a pandemic with war veteran (and Tamika's wife), Lenie Caston-Miller, as well as listeners. This real and raw episode includes various perspectives thanks to the listeners and our cohost. If you'd like to share more than bad news about this global trauma, please listen, download, and share. Co-host: Lenie Caston-Miller, Iraqi war veteran & sculptor www.leniecastonmiller.com

Episode 5: In this episode recorded after a weekend of tragic events in the US (Dayton, OH & El Paso, TX shootings), I take a deep dive into history for context, the yogic philosophy and practice of pratyahara (turning inward) for guidance, and methods to finding our way out of dark times in life for the betterment of our mental health and society. A meditation on Connectedness follows.

Episode 3: This episode takes a deep dive into how to tap into truth to eliminate the stories that have been created, which stymie personal growth, self acceptance, and the path to enlightenment. There's a bit of history, some reflection, relatable yogic philosophy, and a guided meditation.

Episode 2: How can you be loyal without being co-dependent? Can you find joy in letting something or someone go that you love deeply? In this episode I share some experiences of attachments to a brand and to a community, and how non-attachment (aparigraha) reduces suffering and unhealthy relationships in other areas in our lives. A meditation inspired by the theme of aparigraha follows.

In episode 22, Tamika discusses the pervasive nature of colonial hangover in every aspect of our life—from how we view ourselves to our wellness practices. How we tell our stories and how we see ourselves matters and forms facts about our world. Have we forgotten our true nature and our own heritage in the pursuit of mindfulness practices and in spite of the possibility of connectedness that the 21st century offers? How can we cut through the unspoken and oft oppressive societal rules to come back to the truth of who we are? Consider this and more in this episode of Think Flow Grow. A meditation to encourage contemplation follows at 43:30.

In episode 21, Tamika has a REAL and unfiltered conversation with her cohosts Shahrzad Kahkeshani and Davina Davidson about intersectionality as it relates to race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration, gender, and sexuality, and cultural appropriation from a yoga teacher of color’s perspective. Pour some tea and press play as you work and drive, this is a long one you won't want to miss. Oh, and you might need earbuds if you're listening at work or are around kids because adult language is used.   Connect with us at: Davina Davidson @iamdavinadavidson | yogawithdavina.com Shahrzad Kahkeshani @shahrzadk_ Tamika R. Caston-Miller @diva_transcending | asheyoga.com  

In episode 20, another recorded in nature, Tamika explores the expanse and weighty topic of addiction from a yogi's perspective. Employing the tools of the Yamas and the Niyamas, she identifies ways to utilize ancient yogic wisdom in addressing addictive patterns and behaviors. In honor of her humanity and others, Tamika grounds this topic in her own battle with sugar addiction and how the 8 Limbs of Yoga have informed how she is learning to minimize it in her own life. A chakra balancing meditation focused on self-healing begins at 58:11--it has been recorded outside so that you may sense grounding into nature as you explore your divine sacred wisdom and ability to heal from within. If you would like to identify the source of your addiction, Tamika recommends meeting with an energy healer. Message her directly at tamika@asheyoga.com for her recommended healers. Also, she invites you to take the first steps to freeing oneself from an addiction by talking to a medical professional.

Unless you are walking through life with blinders on and earbuds in, it is highly possible that you have been affected by human suffering. Meeting the realties of being human in a way that shows how we are and desire to be takes some work, reflection, and intentionality. In episode 19, Tamika kicks of 2020 with reflections on how separation creates suffering, the types of separation that she’s observed that are creating distress around the world and certainly in the US, how we are always projecting, which causes this suffering, and what we can do to elevate and create compassion through stepping into a new way of being.    Find the IGTV referenced in this episode on Instagram @diva_transcending, and connect directly with Tamika at tamika@asheyoga.com. To hear more about her thoughts on connecting to nature, read her blog post Nature Girl: Thoughts on a heart's journey back home.   A meditation on Connectedness begins at 29:17.

In this wine-drenched episode 18, Tamika discusses cultural appropriation and code-switching with co-hosts — la brujas chingonas — fellow yogis trying living with today’s issues and implications while attempting to respond in less reactionary ways. They discuss the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation, the of the N word as an attempt to re-appropriate it, code-switching as a method of connection with those with a common understanding, and the importance of resolving issues within one’s shadow to choose responses in situations that often challenge minority communities. Thoughtful, funny, and compelling, check out the conversations that happen within communities of color when people are comfortable with one another. Chef Sandra Medrano may be found on IG: @wordsofayogi and FB: Bites of a Yogi. Artist Lenie Caston-Miller may be found on IG: @leniecm and www.leniecastonmiller.com Have comments? Send them to tamika@asheyoga.com Follow @thinkflowgrowpodcast and Tamika @diva_transcending on Instagram, and Ashé Yoga on FB.

In episode 17, Tamika discusses coexisting with family members with whom you don't agree during the holidays, separation and strife because of disagreements on politics and/or coming out as an LGBTQ person, creating an opportunity out of difficult conversations, how to know when to walk away from friends and family members, and how to recognize the people who are meant to be in your life. A lovingkindness meditation follows, beginning at 34:54.

In episode 16 recorded just before the US holiday season, Tamika and Davina Davidson discuss yoga, religion, and spirituality. This is the first of many talks on religion that focuses on perceived religiosity, the answer to the question: "Can you be a Christian and a yogi?" the dichotomy of people worshipping brown gurus abroad yet being racist against people of color at home, and, of course, a wee bit of history on religion and its changing roles over time. A breath awareness meditation on unity follows, beginning at 44:58.

Episode 15: In this episode recorded on Halloween, Tamika discusses tapping into the concept of dressing up for a vision, as well as the lifted veil between the ancestors and ourselves during this time. Listen to gain insight on how to create a vision, find and voice your purpose, and step into the highest version of yourself. A visioning meditation begins at 39:01.

Episode 14: In this episode, Tamika discusses the body positivity movement, her own relationship with her body, and how the movement is missing a crucial part of the picture — colorism. She gives a history on the changing views of what was traditionally accepted, including an overview of how colorism was seeded into American culture, and discusses how santosha — contentment — is a yogic approach of acceptance of self, which is different from desiring to enlighten. A meditation on healing follows.

In real and raw episode 13, Tamika reveals her personal story of overcoming adversity, discusses manifesting a life of design amidst trials and tribulations, and describes how the path is always being laid whether or not you realize it. She also discusses the importance of finding and maintaining a good set of friends and support system. A visioning, solar plexus chakra meditation follows beginning at 51:06.

Episode 12: In this episode, Tamika discusses the issue of consent and human touch--a response to the idea that no one can be touched appropriately when in a student-teacher or authority-mentor situation; #metoo and men; and how this relates to the concept of asteya--non-stealing. Following the reflection is a sacral chakra mediation on abundance and adequacy.