Higher Vibrations in Higher Education

About Higher Vibrations in Higher Education

Interviews, meditations, and musings to promote flourishing at work and in life, through the application, practice, and embodiment of yoga principles. We can, together, create higher vibrations in higher education (#HVHE). Dr. Samantha Harden is a 500+hour registered yoga teacher and associate professor of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech. She brings you this work as part of her Extension outreach and expertise in Dissemination and Implementation Science. Follow on Instagram @sincerelysamma

Publisher

Samantha M Harden, PhD

Category

education · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

8 Nov 2022

Latest episode

30 Jan 2025

Latest episodes

59 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Jan 2025

   Grit and Grace: Be willing to throw it all at the wall with Yoga with Jake

   Grit and Grace: Be willing to throw it all at the wall with Yoga with Jake Jake Panasevich carved out a path to be a disseminator of the benefits of yoga with an emphasis on reaching men and athletes. In looking at his offerings and success, I got the “he’s so lucky” mindset. I saw that he had this cool career of writing, disseminating, and teaching yoga—and felt envy. On this episode we dive into the day-to-day variety of activities he faces to match his grit and grace. And, we get the origin story of why this is such an important target audience for him. Jake talks about being on a college wrestling team in an incredibly toxic environment – which launched his aversion and mistrust of men. However, through trying to get in shape without wrecking his body and beyond that, a community finding community, he came to the mat. Now he offers “Yoga with Jake” predominantly for men and athletes—healing himself while helping others get embodied. Don’t miss some of the honest and practical takeaways of this episode, including: First yoga class: Did everything “wrong” but felt better In both teacher training and journalism, get your feet wet, get yourself out there Three tips to reach more men in your class: 1) be direct—do this for this benefit, 2) focus on connection—show them you care, and 3) avoid energy jargon Focus on seva- selfless service as the primary archetype of an instructor Give everyone permission to be themselves Become masterful at active language and landmarks Feedback is love, it’s a positive thing, pushing a skill further, progressing. Ask: is this “better, worse, or the same” rather than vague “is this good? Knowing where you want to be of service; your audience, your mission as a teacher There is a very real struggle in the hustle of making a living as a teacher The work is fun and meaningful but requires efforting. It’s the balance of effort and ease, just like in a yoga practice It’s still a lot of work to plan and fill a workshop- even at 20 years and help from a studio; there’s so much to juggle, relationship with studio owners, self-worth tanks if you don’t get a raise, etc. Yoga teachers are good at getting people to feel into their feelings; but you have to constantly business develop Be with family, nurture relationships The space is not saturated: know yourself, know your audience. Stay flexible. Real distrust and aversion to men- thinking no guy would be someone I want to connect with Listen to peer and mentor- be willing to try Yoga teacher and entrepreneur, throw a lot at the wall, a lot won’t work.. but “the obstacle is the way” Teach what you learned while still in the middle of it all Flourishing is “not resisting, letting go”. It’s loving your life with all the different flavors, invite them. Find the beauty in the mundane. Stepping on the mat does not mean you’ll no longer step in dog shit Can’t experience success all day every day Get back to who or what I am—and match those practices. Honesty is love, honesty is showing you care. Just go out and try it. Intend. Action matters. Throw it at the wall—this is the “school of action.” Website: https://www.yogawithjake.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogawithjake/ Podcast: https://podcast.yogawithjake.com/1544992

2. 

   23 Jan 2025

   How to widen your love while holding grief and rage with Dr. Margie Serrato

   I learn from Dr. Margie Serrato that, from both a human and anthropological perspective, we often believe lies and justify rather than reconcile with the fact that we’re wrong: in relationships, politics, etc. anywhere we “misstep.” This is where we start our almost 2 hour discussion. Based on her research and identities, Margie started to talk about rest, love, and care for others in the fear and turmoil of the aftermath of leadership who are not in integrity. This activated the same response she had during COVID-19: Show up and listen to others. It’s not time to panic because these are the moments to be a solid rock of compassion and love and grounding for those around us. Margie encourages us to think critically and let go: you don’t have to finish a PhD because you started it, you don’t even have to go to college. You don’t have to dull your shine. You don’t have to identify as victimized if you were a victim. Through the works she does, she helps others alchemize and transmute experiences that shape us, but Margie reminds us that we get to choose who we become. For your information: This discussion includes brief reference to physical, sexual, incestual assault (time stamp: 1:02:20-1:06:28). Some key notes were: Not going into panic; listen to your inner knowing. Different experiences people are having: grief, rage, questions. Lack of integrity among leaders in charge—is a hard question—it’s hard for kids and adults to grapple with this. Protect your peace: you don’t have to give your energy to try to convince someone that they are right—they have an inflexible position. Our education system doesn’t teach critical thinking until grad school. If you didn’t explore, you attend college and build anxiety that you’re the “only one” who doesn’t have it figured out. Internalize that others have their shit together and it’s just you, but it's not true. Need to start within, start where we have influence. Start in education. When your identity is impacted by policies and the opinions of others: one must deepen and widen love over being in anger. Cannot fix what we don’t understand. Being called to hold space, evolve, and equip people with a way to transcend and widen our love. We’re all shaped by culture; beliefs are reinforced in home, school, church, peers, etc. Each group you belong to reinforces a belief. Becomes a problem when the system feels opposite of what you internally believe. Study of humans, past present, etc. cultural anthropologist shape language, feelings, thoughts, things… Archeologist are also bias. Some people will be uncomfortable in who you are or what you’re skilled at. Reclaiming that it’s ok (to fully be you) is a journey I don’t have to be like the people/ family/ I’m from. I don’t have to be violent, allow infidelity, be condescending, sarcastic, gossiping. We have a choice in what we believe. Why are you pursuing your degree- because we all respect and admire doctors- respect and success. Ya that’s not the right path for me… Clarity about what we don’t want is just as powerful as clarity about what we don’t want and both are needed. Why is it so hard for my family to accept me as I am based on their beliefs? You don’t have to experience chronic illness to have sympathy for someone; listening and trying your best to understand their experience in relation to systems. What is the resistance to your own ignorance? So much easier to attach to being right rather than accept you simply didn’t know differently Acknowledging limitations of your mentor; your own experiences etc. What matters to you for your life? Shared experience, collective environment, we can support each other through this, we can all come out the other end successful. Sometimes we say “there’s a reason it happened.” No. if you can acknowledge that you can be empowered, that’s what matters. Not the experience. Knowing you can make diamonds out of the shit show that you might have inherited or faced without your consent. Transmu

3. 

   16 Jan 2025

   Create good energy in your classroom, once you do that you can do anything with VA Crenshaw

   VA Crenshaw is a dancer, yoga practitioner, rapper and educator… never just one thing. She questions: can I be an educator and a rapper? Yes, yes you can. One person can be kind and genuine, and quick-witted, and wearing a cute outfit. How do we be more like kids before “adults” get involved? More apt to give complements and follow our passions instead of what we're "good" at? We carry shame we don’t think we have. VA shares myriad practices to come back to self and to the mat, and being fully yourself. Whether you’re in the classroom, lab, or boardroom. Like: Who are you when you’re not distracted by your schedule with? When you say something negative to yourself, who is saying that? Can you lead with love, in the classroom and beyond? Let the dam open up. Notes from the chat include: VA likes a Monday, a good reset. Attitude change to embrace the week. Go to be a teacher and student teaching is so short, you’re not prepared to get your mind around the routines and the political side of education. Nothing prepares you, you’re thrown to the wolves. Taught for a few years but then created a mobile enrichment program; dance and yoga; parents paid directly-- 2005-2010 full entrepreneur When teachers retired; the VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) students were linked in Leading with love; listening first. Don’t jump to conclusions. Teachers often come in with ideas and activities instead of listening to what the students need Confidence and empowerment to help adult learners with rental and job applications, understanding their own children’s homework, etc. set up for service learning approach Simplest pieces: how to create good energy in your classroom once you do that you can do anything COVID was a lot of loss and gain. Time to reflect on what is next. Helping teachers make connections for students with “low scores”/ “behavioral issues” Sometimes you can forget how to teach, be out of touch. You can even feel like that when you are “young” or teaching in nontraditional spaces. Be on the journey of what’s opening up for you. VA started stream of consciousness writing led to writing raps. Spirit shows you divine purpose. Pray “Show me my divine purpose”. Stepping into creativity can feel cozy, right, felt connected with spirit Creative in yoga, teaching, writing… now music. Now all the creativity seeps out. Creative ways to get students to “perform” and want to be in school and to enjoy it. Still find it hard to own what I am (I’m a rapper and a teacher) should I be doing this? Am I forcing it? What am I really doing? Settling down, going with the flow can bring peace, go with the flow even if it’s not easy Filling your time because it’s hard to sit with yourself Deemed creative, artist, etc. as a kid but if you’re not “good” as a kid, you’re not that thing Being an artist feeds you; you must let that part of you live. You don’t have to be one thing. When you are good at painting, you can be quiet. Someone can walk by and not engage. But when you’re on stage, telling a story in a cadence, requires so much vulnerability. Exhilarating and elevated emotion and then it stops because you don’t release or post every day. Some days are normal or chill. Some days you get a call or email that changes your life. What do artists think? Oh, we think the same thing. Have the audacity to pivot if it fuels you. Allowing creativity to come out and through and then being willing to share it. Holding soft and sad, and faith to say: show me what’s next. Let someone have their feelings. Quiet frustration—nothing to fight for—surrender—and find what’s meant to be. When you’re not distracted by your schedule: who are you? Make a prayer list, take your time. Be ok when you lose your fire. Follow your calling. Let students find their fire. Pattern of being told who you are, ignoring, pushing through. Find who you are, hopefully and pray-fully and at their pace. Don’t force change, get up go to work and make the best of it. On your pray

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5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

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