May 21, 12-1:30pm EST

Panelists - Avita Bansee, Hala Khouri & Ashley Williams

Moderator - Eric Mosley

Panel will take place LIVE on Zoom.

*This event will be recorded and attendees will be given 30 days to view recording.

The pandemic has held a spotlight up to the persistence and perpetuation of trauma in our country. As much as white America tries to sweep race, gender and class based trauma under the rug, last year it could not be ignored. We experienced trauma in multiple settings, from police brutality on Black and Brown bodies, to the disproportionate effects of COVID in communities of color, and last year’s terrorist attack from white supremacists on the capitol.

Many of us carry trauma in our bodies, whether we experienced it first hand or inherited it from our ancestors. Western science and somatic studies give us insight into where trauma lives inside us and how it can be addressed. Studies show that we can metabolize trauma, to work through it and safely discharge it from our bodies without hurting someone else or ourselves. This is an ongoing practice and one we can share with our communities.

For this panel event, you’ll hear from three wellness practitioners on how they have incorporated race based trauma healing practices into their lives and shared tools with their communities. From honoring the indigenous roots of yoga, disrupting white supremacy culture, applying practices that help ease suffering, to building resilience – our panelists bring several perspectives to the conversation.

Presenter bios:

Avita Bansee

Avita is an Indo-Caribbean yoga educator that teaches antiracist yoga, guiding communities through discussion, philosophy, breath and movement. Applying her research and studies in moral philosophy, politics, yoga and asana to build an anti-colonial yoga movement driven to go beyond self-care toward community care as a path toward true wellness. Avita is committed to honoring the indigenous roots of yoga and advocating and educating on how this must intersect with anti-imperialist, antiracist and anticapitalist ethics. Her cultural critique, writing and commentary can be found on her IG account: @yogawithavita

Hala Khouri

Hala Khouri, M.A., SEP, E-RYT, (she/her) has been teaching yoga and movement for over 25 years and has been doing clinical work and trainings for 15 years. Originally from Beirut, Lebanon, she has dedicated her life to the study of trauma, justice and building resilience. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Columbia University and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and an M.A. in Community Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Hala is trained in Somatic Experiencing, a body-based psychotherapy that helps resolve trauma and its symptoms.

Hala is a co-founder of Off the Mat, Into the World, a training organization that bridges yoga and activism within a social justice framework. She leads an online membership program called Radical Wellbeing and her first book, Peace from Anxiety, will be released in April 2021. Hala’s Instagram: @halayoga

Ashley Williams

Ashley Williams, MS, C-IAYT is a Yoga Therapist and Mindfulness Educator that bridges her experience in the fields of education, behavioral and mental health and community programming in Richmond, VA. She is the Founder of BareSOUL Yoga & Wellness, a community-based organization initially created to offer accessible yoga offerings, and Mindful on Life, a curriculum-based program dedicated to transforming community through the practice of mindful-restorative based education. As an advocate for diverse representation, accessible self-care and overall well-being, she has strategically built community-centered yoga and mindfulness programs in schools, health systems, government agencies, faith-based organizations and businesses. Ashley continues to create spaces that offer mindful-based living practices to encourage self-exploration, awareness, authenticity and build community for the collective good. Her newest venture is the Well Collective, a community space for conscious well-being that centers intergenerational healing modalities, contemplative practices, wellness workshops, and local, black-sourced apothecary. Follow her on Instagram @ashleyj_williams

Eric Mosley

Eric Mosley is the founder of Black Mat Yoga and integrates nearly a decade as a former K-12 school leader in his offerings. As both an educator and yoga practitioner, Eric has both seen and experienced the need to disrupt white supremacy culture and to create safe spaces for students of color of every age. He pairs his background in anti-racist pedagogy & restorative practices with the intersections of his identity to help his students show up authentically and fully in this racialized world. In addition to teaching yoga and meditation classes, Eric also consults with businesses and other organizations to use mindfulness practices to navigate difficult conversations and implement change, starting with the body first. Eric has moderated discussions, spoken on panels, and hosted workshops on creating safe spaces, "doing the work," and equity and belonging. For more information, please visit blackmat.yoga and follow @black.mat.yoga on Instagram.

About ticket prices

This panel is a fundraiser for The Practice Coalition. When selecting your sliding scale ticket price, we invite you to be mindful of what’s right for you and your level of privilege. Sliding scale pricing allows us to be inclusive and support our community.