Yoga, Equity + Social Justice with Michelle Cassandra Johnson

Yoga was created by brown people… so why are so many modern Yoga spaces overwhelmingly white? 🔥

In this deeply honest and thought-provoking episode, Lee is joined by activist, racial equity educator, and author of Skill in Action, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, for a powerful conversation about Yoga, social justice, and cultural appropriation. Michelle also guides us in self-reflection practices.

We unpack:

💫 The barriers BIPOC practitioners may face to accessing Yoga, and how capitalism impacts financial accessibility

💫 Why representation matters, and the importance of uplifting diverse Yoga instructors and spiritual leaders

💫 The path forward: collective healing through embodied activism and community care

Hit play now to listen to this powerful conversation on Yoga, racial equity, and accessibility in spiritual spaces. This episode challenges listeners to reflect deeply on what authentic Yoga practice means to them. 🔥

Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author, activist, spiritual teacher, racial equity educator, and intuitive and shamanic healer. She approaches her life and work from a place of knowing we are, can, and must heal individually and collectively. Michelle facilitates workshops and immersions, leads retreats and transformative experiences nationwide, and offers an array of healing services for individuals and groups. She has over 25 years of experience working as a racial equity educator, is a six-time published author,and speaker. She explores embodied approaches to racial equity work and how we as a culture can heal.

💫 Michelle's Website: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/

Skill in Action Website: ⁠https://www.skill-in-action.com/⁠ 

Instagram: @skillinaction

🌈 Lee's Free Self-Care Resource Guide: https://youareloved.one/pod

🌈 Apply for QSA's India Yoga Retreat 2027: ⁠https://youareloved.one/india-yoga-retreat

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Queer Soul Alchemy is a podcast that explores the sacred intersections of Yoga, Ayurveda, Astrology, Sexuality, and Spirituality as pathways of personal transformation, healing, and healthy self-expression. Here, we honor the wisdom of queerness and celebrate the beauty of queer identity within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for self-care and health, are curious about joining a queer yoga retreat, are drawn to the rhythm of travel and spiritual journeying, or are simply longing to embrace your authentic self — you belong here. This is a sanctuary for allies, seekers, and members of the queer community who are ready to live their truth and embody the magic of queer soul alchemy.

About Your Host: Lee Devi✨

When I was growing up in Ohio, I didn’t have any LGBTQ+ role models, and I didn’t know it was okay to be myself. I’m Lee Devi (they/ them), a queer and nonbinary Yoga teacher and student. Through over a decade of Yoga practice, Ayurvedic study, and living a Yogic lifestyle, I’ve unraveled — and continue to unravel — layers of mental and spiritual conditioning. And somewhere along the way, I became the role model of my own dreams.

Today, I’m a 500-hour Registered Yoga Instructor, a 600-hour Ayurvedic Health Counselor, a Transformational Yoga Retreat Facilitator, and an Intuitive Astrologer. My work integrates Yoga, Ayurveda, Astrology, Spirituality, Travel, Queerness, and Self Care Practices to support your personal transformation and healing within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. I believe that every human deserves the safe and sacred space to embrace their authentic self, and connect with the divine energy within.