How to Create an Inclusive Ministry of Love with Tamika Chambers

You don't have to earn rest! You body needs it and won't function well without it. But, everything we consume tells us that we don't. Instead, we are encouraged to be productive at all costs, to live like there is no tomorrow, and to sleep when you're dead. Well, death comes a lot sooner for people who don't intentionally rest their bodies. And, in this episode of Podcasting Is the New Kink!, we're back with another amazing Black woman yogi, Tamika Chambers, and she talks about this in detail! She teaches us the importance of rest and assures us that listening to your body is the key.

We talk:

The importance of asking for consent - 5:05

Discomfort vs pain - 16:10

Spirit and energy in yoga - 26:20

Advice for yogi beginners - 31:03

Her response to "yoga is demonic" - 42:27

Practicing stillness in different ways - 51:33

Tamika also talks a lot about taking up space, which can be hard for many Black women because it isn't something we're familiar with. Many of us don't even know how to take up space. As a child, I was never taught to do that. I was never told to be myself or make everything about me. I never knew how to advocate for myself or speak up for what I wanted. In fact, many times I was instructed to do the opposite. "Shrink to fit yourself into this young, Christian, lady box (no pun intended)," and, "You don't need to say anything. God will handle it!" I always struggled with these things! That's one of the reasons I love yoga so much, because it's all about me. It's a personal practice that I can modify to fit my needs. I can take up as much space as I want and I can focus on my spirit, without having to explain anything to anyone.

Tamika is an ordained minister and one thing I always hear about yoga is how demonic it is. It's not of God so it has to be of the devil, right?*rolls eyes* So I had to ask how she reconciles the two, and her answer was beautiful: her ministry is love! Love is inclusive. Love is caring. And, that is what she focuses on. She also draws many parallels between Christian and yoga practices. For example, think about meditation and prayer, or psalms and affirmations, or lighting candles and lighting incense. Instead of focusing on the differences between them, see the similarities.

*Get your ticket for The Black Love Healing Circle today on Eventbrite and use code PINKLADY for $10 off! More info on their website at healyourloveperiod.com

**This episode was produced by Pink Lady Productions --> pinkladyprod.com

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