Higher Vibrations in Higher Education

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/ [https://www.yogawithjake.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogawithjake/ Podcast: https://podcast.yogawithjake.com/1544992

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. * Transmute, transform all experiences so they don’t define you. Shaped who I am but I get to choose who I become—because of them, through them, despite them. * Bridge ignorance to understanding; that makes a lot of sense; but being a catalyst the best way to make sense of it the more I look inward, the more I grow my sense of self, more I grow in my intuition, in my inner knowing, the more I see ripple effects on people around me. * So different from heady research conference v speaking at a panel at a women’s empowerment event. Not trying to prove yourself becomes an opening. * The head wants to get in the way was this right, perfect, meaningful, useful? Ego and validation. That’s what we value in our society but …there’s so much more than that. Then the things that need to be said are said and it comes out on its own. * Don’t do social media to please an algorithm. * Growth path is a forever thing. * Cultural and internal stuff we need both to make sense of our human experience and to understand possibilities for collective evolution. * When we reflect on where we are in our lives: relationship, career, community—feel into your body and go “am I satisfied with where I am and at peace with what I am doing” not with what I learned or what is success or goal. Do I FEEL satisfied…? * The avoidance of the self /neglect of the self for the purpose of accomplishment is not serving anybody. * Must connect with why you started the work- what was lit up in you- that drove you to this particular field. Keep in touch with Margie via email: margie@human-empowered.com [margie@human-empowered.com] Podcast: A Human Experience with Dr. Margie Serrato https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-human-experience/id1732560368

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 prayer mat, think of others, create a mantra. * I am statements, like: I am happy. I am strong. I am harmonious. “Don’t leave her” (meaning don’t abandon your inner child). * Should I move, is this the right person for me? How do you ask these questions when we don’t know ourselves? * Internal Family Systems: talk to protector, talk to manager. * Whose voice is saying “you’re so weird why would you do that?” * Whose voice is in my head, can I track that down? Let it go on the mat. * Punishment like, never dig or play the same way again once a traumatic hand slapping. Takes us out of being a child with no fear. * Ask why isn’t this safe? Why is this the narrative? * I want to know you beyond these walls, and want you to connect with students. * Being a good teacher: it comes from modeling, not a video in a training * Go sit down by yourself does not work for self-regulation: Hey, I have a better idea; let’s help the students * Flourishing used to be related to how much money I made, but now it’s when do I feel good and connecting with others Keep in touch with VA: https://www.instagram.com/vacrenshaw/?hl=en Resources: * Johnathon Kozol – general information for pedagogy * Game of Life The Game of Life And How To Play It Florence Scovel Shinn * The Creative Act * The Artists’ Way

Mesearch in our Research: How an associate professor of applied behavioral science applies the science to her life with Dr. Jaclyn Margolis

Dr. Jaclyn Margolis is an associate professor of applied behavioral science and department head. I found her Instagram profile TheWorkplacePhD (which has since been rebranded to JacMargolisPhD), where she shares the journey of applying behavioral science in her own life—from gratitude practices to leading by example as a leader in her department. We jump in in this episode that we might have expertise (as flagged by a terminal degree), but the journey really is being in the seat of the learner: The mesearch in our research. Some key takeaways: - The world is in a heavy time. It's important to be empathetic and serve the greater community, and need to care for ourselves. The power of the "And." - We would never tell someone "sacrifice our physical health because there are hardships in the world" so we struggle with people who say we shouldn't protect our mental health because there are hardships in the world. - Learn about theory- practice- discover why it is or isn't working for you. Example: gratitude can be a powerful force (good for you and those around you), but a gratitude journal may not work. Try something else. - Educators should not say "I am right" but rather "I am learning and sharing what I know and I am open to hearing things that are different." - Scared or afraid to say opinion or “answers” because in the seat of the learner - Jaclyn studies the psychology of business: understanding what makes people tick and how to be happiest and healthiest at work they can be. - Leadership professor leading leadership professor sounds like beginning of a bad joke. - Leading by example: Start your day after coffee and pastry with your kiddo - Fill yourself before you hit the inbox! - How are you saving today? - When we talk about wellbeing, remember you can "save the day today" without falling into a rut that you "missed" your workout or opportunity. What's one thing you can do to change the "what the hell" mindset. - What would happen if you gave yourself to be funny, yourself, shift the culture? - Legacy of the way things were done-- but there's a movement to not do things as difficult as it was before. - What milestones bring you happiness? - How can you invest your energy in the process rather than the outcome? - Burnout can fluctuate up to 30%. A lot of burn out is difficult to change but you can feel better...your next 24 hours can start now. - Flourishing holistically-- career success has so many dimensions, and it's only one component of your life. - No joy comes from checking your H index. It's just not a worthwhile endeavor. - Once you hit a certain goal, it’s the bottom of another mountain to climb. - Vulnerability in admitting you know what you should be doing but not always doing it. - You can do anything, but not everything. - It's good to craft and focus on what's important to you, but it evolves. - Remember, life be lifing and people be peopling. Stay in touch: https://www.instagram.com/jacmargolisphd/

Labels we put on and take off: Clothes, style, and choices with PhD in Clothes

If you've ever hid parts of yourself; felt challenged by fashion or presentation of "you" for the lab, classroom, or conference; or were uncertain of where your "real" self v academic self begin and end-- this one's for you. Rebecca gets me with so many zingers like * How am I complicit in hustle culture? * It’s challenging to have your body on display. * Academia often puts seriousness and intellect opposite of creativity, fun, and frivolity. * The more you think about the self- academic connection the messier it gets. * It’s a long journey back to self. * Universities are having a crisis of communication ourselves. * Empathy is free. * Top tips for dressing in academia: If it’s not comfortable, it’s not worth it. Period. Play with what it means to be a professional—joyful ability to express. Don’t hide who you are, don’t be afraid to play A blazer will solve almost every problem you’re having A couple that look nice, you can pull it all together But there's so much more like: Fashion is a lot more serious than people give it credit for What you have on is an important part of what you communicate to the world. Clothing is part of confidence: I can do this, I do belong Becoming an academic is often accidental Consider academic if you come alive in teaching – see it as fulfilling, challenging, interesting, exciting to watch someone learn things right in front of your eyes  Teaching can be a stressful context; compassion and use student/office hours to assist in learning processes Faculty development teaching workshops. If your instructional communication or pedagogy class will change your life Consistency, structure, respect—don't worry if my students don’t think I’m cool or funny. If they think you respect them and consistent with empathy, they will trust then maybe like you more than if you were trying to be cool. A class is not me versus the student; it’s you and the students versus the problem Didn’t realize getting a PhD changes you as a person, personality, attitude, not just a “job” and there is no real way to revert from it. Once you go through an experience this life-changing It’s ok that it changes you but you don’t really know what you’re stepping into A person in clothes, speaking, etc. Grad school is in many ways more challenging more than being a professor; there’s no way; but yes, you are being asked to do so much in grad school; if you’re listening and still in training and trying to manage; wearing a lot of hats; expert but not; teacher but student; leads to heightened state of I need to be working and producing People brag about culture of work and how terrible their life is; virtue is tied to my productivit, which often leads to heightened anxiety- and further health issues  Academia will always ask me for more than I can give it If I don’t get away and hold boundaries, I’ll have serious issues How do I even do that if people say they haven’t slept 4 hours; how do I get out of it? I know I should rest but I haven’t been given the tools to do so Freedom to determine own schedule can also become a curse Department expects you to have outside interests; culture matters. Life is going to demand that you impose boundaries Previous self had an aggressive resistance by bringing whole self to work It’s ok to lie. Don’t be an academic martyr. If you had to stop teaching tomorrow, you would be replaced. Do you really think you’re that important that you don’t deserve time off? How are we reinforcing the system? How are we complicit? As we gain power we need to show, not just tell  Resources for further reading: Slow Professor: Challenging the Culture of Speed in the Academy https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26367751-slow-professor Steketee and Harden. Einstein’s combinatory play: A promising practice for creativity and well-being among public health professionals. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100546 Read "How to take a weekend": https://phdinclothes.com/2021/03/26/how-i-take-weekends-off-as-an-academic