#152 - Changing the Value Systems in Yoga with Janessa Mondestin, Yoga Therapist and Director of Culture for Yoga International

Body Kindness

In Part 2 of White Supremacy in Yoga series, we discuss the harms and the fixes, including what you can do as a yoga teacher, teacher trainer, student, or person who cares about anti-racism work. This includes reading books, having conversations, and taking meaningful actions.

Here’s just a taste of what we discuss:

• Cultural appropriation of ayurveda.
• Diet culture and racism in yoga.
• How bad teachers can mess up the yoga experience.
• Systemic and structural White Supremacy in yoga and why we need an overhaul, a power shift in diversity, equity, and inclusion from within wellness organizations.
• Call to action with 4 simple steps (listed below).

Body Kindness is a practice of personal and collective well-being. We can do this. Tune in to learn more and most important, take action.

Janessa is asking White people to read White Fragility, My Grandmother’s Hands… and I’m sure other books would make her list, but she wants you to follow up with action.

Janessa Mondestin’s “call in”

1. Get educated on what pervasive racism looks like.
2. Identify our role in racist America (we are global, so we should adjust this to “planet” -- your country, your community.)
3. ATONE. “Each one teach one.” Make it a conversation that you educate your partners, children, family, and all the places you hold power and influence in.
4. Cultivate ANTIRACIST Coalitions with your newfound circle of Aware and Activated Friends. Seat them in decision-making positions on your PTA Board, Your Politicians, Your Police Department, Your District Attorneys office.

About Janessa

Thirteen years ago, Janessa Mondestin received a diagnosis for Lupus, an autoimmune condition that motivated her to recommit to wellness. Yogasana was a way for Janessa to balance her weekend-warrior athletic events and the stress from corporate banking. Over time, Yoga and Ayurveda became a central part of her life, both personally and professionally. She left corporate banking to teach yoga and wellness as an Adjunct Professor for Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken and Adjunct Faculty of Uncommon Charter School in Newark, NJ.

Today, Janessa is the Director of Culture for Yoga International, liaison for Yoga International Espagnol, Yoga Talent Advocate and Business Coach, Founder of Soulthentic Yoga Registered Yoga School. She is one of the top 20 Yoga Teachers of Color for 2020. She was awarded the title of Yoga Ambassador by India’s Travel Ministry and Prime Minister in 2018.

She is a practicing Yoga Therapist who is developing a safe space for Womxn Wellness, The Soma Yoga Center. Janessa’s experience as a first-generation American born daughter of immigrants, a sexual assault survivor who overcame racial, cultural and gender-based adversity, grief and loss informs her focus on serving the public with a sense of healing, resiliency, and authenticity.

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

Catch up on the previous episode in this series: Podcast 151: White Supremacy of Yoga with Sabrina Strings PhD, Author of Fearing the Black Body

---

Get the Body Kindness book It's available wherever books and audiobooks are sold. Read reviews on Amazon and pick up your copy today! Order signed copies and bulk discounts here!

---

Donate to support the show Thanks to our generous supporters! We're working toward our goal to fund the full season. Can you donate? Please visit our Go Fund Me page.

---

Get started with Body Kindness Sign up to get started for free and stay up to date on the latest offerings

---

Become a client Check out BodyKindnessBook.com/breakthrough for the latest groups and individual support sessions

---

Subscribe to the podcastWe're on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Enjoy the show? Please rate it on iTunes! Have a show idea or guest recommendation? E-mail [e-mail] to get in touch.

---

Join the Facebook groupContinue the episode conversations with the hosts, guests, and fellow listeners on the Body Kindness Facebook group. See you there!

Nothing in this podcast is meant to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.