Out Of Many, One

Guest contributor Sierra Kantamneni
ChayaVeda Intern and UF College of Journalism

The past few weeks have been nothing short of surreal. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, and thousands of other Black Americans have changed the world. Protests internationally for Black Lives have ignited the much-needed conversations and steps to create permanent change. 

As a first-generation Indian immigrant, I have witnessed the rampant anti-blackness in my own household. From the colorist roots in the Indian caste system to the infamous Model Minority stereotype, Indian culture perpetuates anti-blackness and ignorance. The conversations I have had with my family since the inception of this movement have been poignant and visceral, and most importantly, transformative. We recognized our privileges as non-Black people of color and how we directly benefit from the systems that continue to terrorize Black Americans. Our presence in the US is thanks to the efforts of those who fought during the Civil Rights movement. The passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965; which lifted restrictions on immigration into the US, was a direct product of Black-led activism. Staying silent is complacency. We must use our privilege and voices to seek justice for the Black community.

As the protests gained momentum, my social media flooded with resources on how to aid the Black community and ensure the movement generated long-term change. It is easier than ever to educate yourself and learn about the systematic racism in the US and be an informed ally. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have not participated in the protests as my father is imuno-compromised. If you are in a similar position as me and cannot protest, do not fret! There is still much you can do. There are thousands of virtual petitions you can sign to open old cases or investigate those where the system simply failed in seeking justice. If you have the financial means, you can also donate to relief organizations, victims, Black-owned businesses, etc. Another method, and arguably the most imperative, is education. I have been reading books and watching documentaries regarding the Black experience in the United States, and the systems in place since the slavery-era that continue to oppress Black Americans. There is simply no excuse for ignorance. I urge you all to truly take the time to learn, listen, and understand the injustices rampant in our country. 

I commend those who are on the front-lines of the movement despite the risks, and for all the change these protests have brought. People from all backgrounds have united for this cause, and have already generated substantial change. Governor Andrew Cuomo (NY) recently released several reforms to the state in regards to police brutality and racism. From banning chokeholds, outlawing racial 911 calls, and only allowing independent prosecutors to represent in cases against the police to eliminate bias, Cuomo has facilitated the incentive stages of permanent change. Furthermore, several Confederate statues across the country have been toppled, the most recent being the fall of Confederate Gen. Williams Carter Wickham in Richmond, VA. Atlanta Chief of Police Erika Shields recently resigned after the murder of Rayshard Brooks, and is now evaluating methods of reform and rebuilding trust in the community, And lastly, Minneapolis has committed to dismantling its police after George Floyd’s murder. In the words of his six-year-old daughter Gianna, “Daddy changed the world.”

All in all, it would be foolish of me to say we could undo centuries of systematic racism in a week, but this is a promising start. Now more than ever, we need to unite and take a firm stand against the racism, police brutality, and flagrant oppression Black Americans face each day. We must speak up for them, and ensure that the justice our country promises to all of its citizens is served. Our country’s motto preaches inclusivity, 
“E Pluribus Unum”, meaning out of many, one. Out of many states, one country. Out of many people, we are all the American people. 

Link to petitions, donation sites, and other resources:

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

Books:

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/06/9848927/black-lives-matter-books

Movies:

https://www.theverge.com/21285638/racial-injustice-movies-watch-stream-list-selma-ali-black-lives-matter

Black-owned businesses in Gainesville:

https://www.alligator.org/the_avenue/the-voices-of-gainesville-black-owned-businesses-promote-wellness-amid-chaos/article_799d875c-a9b0-11ea-9ceb-ffd720e2e38e.html

Black-led LGBTQ+ Organizations accepting Donations:

https://www.intheknow.com/2020/06/10/black-lgbtq-organizations-donate/

Innocence Project:

https://www.innocenceproject.org/donate/

The Innocence Project

ChayaVeda™ is founded upon six core values; community, empowerment, healing, respect, passion, and honesty. Now more than ever, it is important to honor our values and stand together as one as we fight for the ones whose lives were lost due to racism and years of injustice in our society.

The other night, I was watching America's Got Talent with my family. A man with the name Archie Williams performed the song "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John. The lyrics took on a whole new meaning as he told his heart-wrenching story. Archie spent 37 years of his life in jail due to a false accusation of rape. Archie was a poor African American kid and did not have the means to fight for justice. His fingerprints were not found at the crime scene, and three people testified that he was home, but that was not enough. He spent 37 years of his life in jail. More than half of his life was taken from him. About ten years into Archie's imprisonment, the Innocence Project took on Archie's case, and 37 years later, DNA freed him.

This story does not end with Archie. According to the Innocence Project, it is believed that 20,000 people in our nation are falsely convicted. That is 20,000 innocent people who are not able to experience the full beauty of life. To this date, the Innocence Project freed 367 lives. 61% of the wrongly accused people were African American.*

This is a problem.

We, as a nation, need to do better. We can do better.

How can you take action?

For more statistics on DNA Exonerations: https://www.innocenceproject.org/dna-exonerations-in-the-united-states/

Donate to the Innocent Project:

https://www.innocenceproject.org/getinvolved/

Educate yourself on Wrongful Conviction (Movies and TV Series):

https://innocencenetwork.org/wrongfulconvictionmedia/

Donate to the George Floyd Memorial:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd?fbclid=IwAR05W6HM3tBncjyp_jG1yo8CQoKnlOIKH1Ie4pYyVIJm1pqCHX8APAOUnzA

Support the National Police Accountability Project:

https://www.nlg-npap.org/?fbclid=IwAR27OH96h-lLlXmEbmdzky4pW2qtu7PdRAtTD5MCpvc3qxsJB550EKbcLtM

Donate to the Bail Fund Program:

https://hrcalachua.com/bail-fund-program/?fbclid=IwAR3buK-Zy4yVBkwZR5xHNoOMiUsvj7BOFQZJLYsUQNqNq7ibR2plASk__Iw

*The demographics of the 367 people are the following:

225 (61%) African American

110 (30%) Caucasian

28 (8%) Latino

2 (1%) Asian American

1 (<1%) Native American

1 (<1%) Other

Guest Contributor: ChayaVeda Intern, Alyssa Alalouf,
UF Anatomy, Physiology and Applied Kinesiology Major

The Key To Success During Uncertain Times

People all across the world have been subjected to unprecedented circumstances amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This has created and exacerbated stress and anxiety for many people during these uncertain times. Stress and anxiety present itself differently for different people. Some may experience minor symptoms, such as discontent, racing thoughts and feelings of unease. For others, these feelings of anxiety may be more severe. Symptoms may include, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, sweating, nausea, and an impending feeling of dread or doom. 

It is important to remember that during these uncertain times, you are not suffering alone and many people across the world are experiencing exactly what you are feeling. Another important thing to remember is that there are at-home strategies you can implement. One of those strategies, which is an important aspect of holistic health and the Ayurvedic practice is mindfulness.

Awareness is the key. If with curiosity and wonder, we can become acutely aware of all of the aspects of our mind and emotions, we can develop an openness towards them, a compassion and an understanding that will allow them to rest comfortably within our wisdom mind.

Mindfulness can be defined as the practice of being present in the moment and doing it intentionally and with non-judgement. Mindfulness is a component of meditation. Mindfulness meditation refers to the deliberate act of regulating attention to the present through the observation of thoughts, emotions, and body awareness. Mindful activities include, awareness of breath, body, feelings, emotions, and thoughts, typically in a meditative state. Mindfulness works to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as make you more aware and present in your current state. It transmits the thoughts and emotions into wisdom and connects us to the ever present peace and stillness that is the background of all thoughts. As we begin to identify more with this unchanging background, without struggling against the thoughts in the foreground, intuitive wisdom emerges from that source of stillness. This intuitive wisdom allows us to understand that all thoughts are pointers back to the ground of stillness which is unity.

Chaya~Sharon Heller stated “when we are one with ourselves, we are one with the world around us”. Mindfulness allows you to become one with your thoughts, feelings and emotions, helping you become present with yourself. This, in turn, helps you become present in your environment, making you one with the world around you. 

The Ayurvedic practice emphasizes self-awareness and mindfulness as a key to meditation and living a healthy life. Five thousand years ago, in the north of India, the oldest and most sacred texts were written: the Vedas. It was in these texts that yoga and mindfulness were expounded upon. Yoga was, and still is, a spiritual experience that sought to train the mind to help alleviate suffering and achieve enlightenment, awareness or self-realization. The ancient medical system of Ayurveda was first recorded in the Vedas, that states that our thoughts heavily impact our realities. By implementing mindfulness during this time of uncertainty aids in awareness and stress relief for those suffering. 

In a recent live stream with Chaya, she demonstrated the practice of specific breathing and relaxation techniques that create the stillness for greater awareness. When we are mindful, we focus on the present moment and become aware of our feelings and thoughts. When we do this, we begin making more conscious choices that foster our greatest well-being. In Chaya’s live stream, she exhibited how to properly develop your breathing and mind for deep relaxation. Like Chaya demonstrated, implementing these practices, promotes relaxation and stress relief. 

You can introduce mindfulness in your life using several techniques. First, try to be quiet or meditate for at least five minutes a day. This allows you to distance yourself from your troubling thoughts and feelings, centering yourself in the present. Second, take a mindful stretch break. Instead of checking social media on your work break, try mindful stretching instead. Follow your body cues; slowly and intentionally stretch the parts of your body that need to be stretched. Finally, implement healthy eating practices and eat without distraction. Chaya has compiled some of her own Body Intelligence Tips (BITS) about healthy eating and lifestyle practices. Some of these include eating in a calm, settled atmosphere; never eat when you’re upset, always sit down when you eat, and sit quietly for a few minutes after your meal. Although there are more BITS Chaya has listed, these are imperative to implementing mindfulness while eating, which while improving your digestion will also improve your mindfulness practice. 

In these uncertain times, it is hard to not let anxiety and negative thoughts control you. When you do find yourself feeling this way, it is important to remember that you are not alone and practicing mindfulness can aid in relieving a large portion of the stress you endure. To help get your started, set small achievable goals, like 5 minutes a day or at a meal, making the commitment to show up for it on a regular basis, and through practice and implementation, achieving this small, achievable goal, can bring the mindfulness and stress reduction needed to continue. 

How we respond to these unprecedented times, will play a part in the next steps or outcome of our lives. Many want to escape this reality and diminish fear, however, when we attempt to remain present and mindful, we may no longer wish to escape our uncertain reality, rather, accept that life is always changing, and our present for a vehicle for growth, being grateful for what we have and what it will teach us and contribute to who we become and the legacy we create.  

By: Guest contributor, Sarah McWilliams, ChayaVeda Intern and UF College of Journalism and
Chaya~Sharon Heller

Real Life Story

Guest contributor Sierra Kantamneni
ChayaVeda Intern and UF College of Journalism

                                     

Never in my life would I have imagined my freshman year of college ending with an international pandemic. Within days, my once loud and lively dorm floor became painfully quiet and vacant. My college experience, life, and the world as I knew it had turned upside down with no clear end in sight. 

As the virtual school year came to a close, I was blessed to receive a remote internship position at ChayaVeda for the summer. In the few weeks I have been an intern, I have already learned so much about the importance of wellness and self-care. I now practice daily yoga and meditation and have found a sense of escape from the chaos and uncertainty of the world. For the first time in a long time, I am putting myself first. From our centering activities before each meeting, to Chaya always checking in on how we are doing, ChayaVeda has become an immense source of stability and growth in my life. Here I have learned valuable lessons about professional and personal growth, and am excited for all that is to come.

Each one of us has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to some capacity. We must recognize the importance of our mental and physical health, and use this time to properly care for ourselves. Self-care is something many of us neglect in the busyness of our lives, myself included. As we navigate this time of uncertainty and fear, I encourage you all to remember the positive things in life and remind yourself that this too, one day, shall pass. 

Ayurveda and Yoga Immersion

Resiliency and Our Response To Life

                                         Who Are You When You’re Strong?

We often get caught up in thinking about what’s not working or what needs improving in our lives, especially when we face difficulties.

Today is an invitation to look within for hidden treasures and discover the amazing gifts we already have.

Signature strengths refer to those strengths that are organic to us. We each have capabilities that enable us to move through life from a place of authenticity, which directly affects our quality of life and over-all health and well-being. We all know someone who is authentically generous, compassionate, courageous or loyal, or is an appreciator of beauty. Each of these is a strength, and each of us possesses core sustaining strengths that are an important foundation to healthy change. We just have to remember them and actually use them, either when we seek positive change or when life throws us challenges.

Take a few breaths and then take a moment to choose one or two words that describe your strengths that ring true to you about yourself. Some examples could be kindness, optimism, creativity, faithfulness, playfulness, determination, etc.

                                               How Do You Respond To Life?

Resiliency is when we can sustain healthy transformations from leaning on our strengths in moments of stress. We can choose our actions and ways of being based upon our natural tendencies and the capacities that can move us forward. This doesn’t mean that we are not vulnerable, and often, we are often raw and exposed under stress, but what it means is that we won’t waste time punishing ourselves for who we are not, or ruminating about the gifts we don’t have. We take the moment of rawness as an opportunity to use the strengths we do have, while being open to what the moment has to teach us about growth.

Our energy follows our attention, so if we put our attention towards our strengths, we develop them and move forward with this writing the blueprint for our lives and perhaps, our new normal.

The next step is learning how to apply your knowledge of your strength.

Once you’ve identified your strengths, when a difficult or uncomfortable moment comes, center yourself and take out your list. Choose one of your strengths. Just one and apply that strength to your daily life for the next week, even if you only do it for a moment.

No matter what life brings, remember that you have more than one strength to bring to the table and you can apply it in the present moment, becoming the change we seek.

Who can we become when life pulls the rug out from under us? Our fullest selves, gifted with the qualities that enable us to rise. We simply must remember what they are and choose to go toward them.

As you practice focusing on your strengths, you may have your own insights into your behavior and how to handle difficult and uncomfortable situations skillfully and authentically, according to your nature. This is a peak experience, providing you with not only insight and stress reduction, but also improved energy levels, focus, productivity, happiness, personal and professional growth, attitudes and relationships, cultivating  a new and authentic response to life for total well-being and unlocking your highest potential.

To learn more take our Wellness Challenge, group experience May 12th or One-On-One anytime.

Transformative Wellness: Find your Purpose