This episode features yogini Akia Merritt who shares her life journey growing up in Miami and discovering her capital S Self through yoga sadhana. Akiya recounts the journey from aspiring fashion designer in New York City to becoming a capital-Y Yoga teacher, and the pitfalls of the industry along the way. Relatable to everyone whose journey has taken them far from where they started, and then back home with compassion.

Mark and Akia discuss:

- Akia’s childhood in poverty, family struggles with addiction, and dangerous neighborhood in Miami

- Her drive to get out of that environment and pursuit of fashion career in NYC

- A psychic telling her she would be a teacher… which she dismissed!

- Discovering through yoga practice 'you are what you're looking for'

- Anger, then compassion arising, seeing her family clearly

- Embodying freedom allowing her to be a mirror and bridge

- Sharing with friends and family and helping create shifts in their lives

- Her continued shedding and settling into being a teacher

Favorite phrases:

- "Language is limiting, and you, you transmit to your family and friends, just by you being you."

- "You are, you are what you're looking for. You are what you're searching for."

- "I'll give my life over to be able to hold someone's hand to that gate, to that door."

Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:01:00] Akia shares her challenging upbringing in Miami

[00:08:00] Her drive to get out and pursuit of fashion career

[00:12:00] A psychic tells Akia she will be a teacher

[00:19:00] Getting in touch with anger, then compassion for her family

[00:24:00] Finding clarity through yoga

[00:28:00] Now teaching yoga, starting with friends and family

[00:33:00] Akia describes discovering 'you are what you seek'

[00:38:00] Mark affirms Akia as an exemplary yoga teacher

[00:43:00] Conclusion