EP51 - Transformation through Movement with Michelle Boulé

Have you ever thought about the role that the body plays in… prosperity? In this fun meeting of the minds, Chara and Michelle Boulé discuss what has led Michelle to where she is today. With Michelle being a dancer, Chara was curious about the connections between how she moves, lives in her body, how she is in the world, and how that translates to how she supports others in breaking through the things that hold them back.Michelle Boulé is a Dancer, Healer, and Transformational Life and Business Coach with a unique methodology that creates profound change for her clients.She’s been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Thrive Global, Bloomberg Businessweek, Dance Magazine, and The Today Show, amongst others.Her work, which includes online group and private coaching, speaking, and in-person retreats, gives creative artists, entrepreneurs, and professionals all over the world the clarity and tools they need to manifest their visions and align with their truth confidently.With over 25 years of practice in somatic therapies, energy medicine, mindset psychology, spirituality, and her award-winning international career in dance, the heart of her work is LOVE. After 21 years of living in New York City, Michelle now resides in Missoula, MT.Resources & Mentions:Follow Michelle Boulé on Instagram - @michelle.bouleMichelle Boulé’s website: https://www.michelleboule.com/

Who doesn’t love a story of embracing change and seeing where it will take you? In this conversation between Chara and long-time yoga teacher, trainer and mentor Julie Smerdon, we hear the story of how Julie came to yoga, or how yoga came to her. It’s one of the more colorful and beautiful stories of how yoga can genuinely change lives and it’s full of harrowing moments and profound wisdom.Resources:Julie Smerdon’s website - https://juliesmerdon.com/Follow Julie Smerdon on Instagram - @juliesmerdon

What are the most important synergies between yoga and psychology? Chara speaks with Dr. Lauren Tober about her evolution as a yoga teacher and psychologist and how that has been informed by the ways that yoga and modern-day psychology have slowly moved toward each other over the course of the last couple of decades. We explore why and how yoga is an important context for yoga teachers and students to become more aware of and how to live and practice in a world where nearly everyone is touched by trauma of some kind. We also hear about Lauren’s upcoming Mental Health Aware Yoga course!Resources:Dr Lauren Tober’s Mental Health Aware Yoga Training - http://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Dr Lauren Tober’s website - https://www.laurentober.com/ iRest Institute - https://www.irest.org/

The honest, fresh and activating energy of Reggie Hubbard shines through as he speaks with Chara about his passion for yoga, politics and activism. They dive into his background, ambitions and what motivates him.Reggie started Active Peace Yoga with a mission to make the practice of yoga and living the yogic lifestyle more accessible to all - regardless of race, gender, body type or practice level - to form peace of mind and general well being as a foundation, not as an afterthought.Buckle up and enjoy, as you are in for an enlightening & fun conversation.Resources:Active Peace Yoga - https://activepeaceyoga.com/

Bronnie Ware shares with Chara some beautiful and inspiring lessons she has experienced. She has walked through life with her eyes and heart wide open and has generously shared the lessons of living and dying in her books, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, Your Year for Change, and Bloom. Dig into this episode and embrace the richness found in living that fills the gaps in our understanding of who we are and why we’re here.Resources:Bronnie Ware’s books - https://bronnieware.com/books/

Chara speaks with David Charlton and Ranju Roy to dig into some deep questions about life. They look at the many fibers that make up who we are in this moment and what the process looks like in getting to know yourself. They discuss the struggles and pitfalls that come up and the overall beauty within the gift of knowing yourself. ResourcesEmbodying the Yoga Sutra: Patanjali for the 21st Century workshop - https://www.sadhanamalayogatraining.com/patanjaliforthe21stcentury

A diving off point for a deeper inquiry into the practice of Living Like You Love Yourself.  What are the life challenges that keep us from holding ourselves in more sacred, informed and loving ways?  What is our relationship with the concept of self love and how does that bleed into our actions with ourselves and the world?  In this episode we explore a view on the elements of "living like we love ourselves" that provide a context for this season of conversations and sharing. “One of the best guides to how to be self-loving is to give ourselves the love we are often dreaming about receiving from others. – Bell Hooks”

A deep dive into the nature of consciousness, supported by the yoga sutras and our experience of everyday life!  Michael de Manincor returns to the podcast to share wisdom and insights into the most challenging questions of our existence.  In this brilliant conversation we wonder about unanswerable questions and how asking them can change who and how we are forever!Resources:The Yoga Institute - https://yogainstitute.com.au/

What if the most powerful tool for waking up is sleep itself? Chara and Lucy chat with Lucy's dear friend, John Vosler, holistic wellness educator, conscious coach and yoga nidra guide and deeply wise soul about his practice of Yoga Nidra “Yogic sleep” and its potential to transform the way we relate to ourselves and the world around us.John Vosler’s passion is providing education on how thoughts, emotions and physical being are connected.As an energetic bodyworker for more than 25 years, John is able to assess each client and determine the best modality or combination of modalities to help them connect with their divine consciousness and inner healer.Through meditation, movement, holistic bodywork and Conscious Coaching, John’s Los Angeles-based wellness practice has empowered countless clients to improve their lives. Executives, athletes, celebrities, busy moms and burnt-out professionals are attracted to his intuitive awareness and vast knowledge of the science of meditation. And, his infectious humor and compassionate heart make working with him a joy-filled experience.Resources:www.johnvosler.comiRest website: https://www.irest.org/IAM yoga nidra website: https://amrityoga.org/yoga-nidra/

Lucy and Chara are joined by Maya Breuer, to talk about the shape and future of yoga as a tool for connection across and within cultures.  Maya shares the story of the creation of the retreat for women of color and how she sees yoga alliance expanding its focus and reach to better include and support  its diverse membership and ever-broadening reach.Maya Breuer, Yoga Alliance Vice President of Cross-Cultural Advancement, supports diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural competency across all Yoga Alliance activities. In doing so, she builds relationships with community leaders and leads the evaluation of incoming grant requests to Yoga Alliance Foundation. Celebrated as one of America’s distinguished Black Yogis by Black Enterprise magazine, Maya, president and co-founder of the national Black Yoga Teachers Alliance, is a preeminent yoga instructor, practitioner, author, community activist and consultant with a career spanning over three decades. She has been training and certifying yoga teachers throughout the United States since 2001 and offers a bi-annual Yoga Retreat for Women of Color at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Her mission and dharma has been to teach yoga and empower individuals to renew body, mind, and spirit to achieve health and well-being.RESOURCES & MENTIONS:Website: http://www.mayabreuer.com/Unity in Yoga Podcast: https://www.yogaalliance.org/Membership_Benefits/Unity_in_YogaYoga Retreat for Women of Color at Kripalu: https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/yoga-retreat-women-color-rediscover-your-divine-selfYoga Alliances Teaching for Equity program - https://www.yogaalliance.org/Foundation/Teaching_for_Equity_ProgramInternational Gathering SanghasBell Hooks - Sisters of the Yam