← Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls
Session 400: Mindfulness, Movement & Motherhood with Chelsea Jackson Roberts
00:41:22
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- [00:11]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Welcome to the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast, a weekly conversation about mental health, personal development and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves. I'm your host, Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford, a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia. For more or to find a therapist in your area, visit our website@therapyforblackgirls.com while I hope you love listening to and learning from the podcast, it is not meant to be a substitute for a relationship with a licensed mental health professional. Hey y', all, thanks so much for.
- [00:58]
Elise Ellis
Joining me for the 400th episode of the Therapy for Black Girls Podcast.
- [01:03]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
We'll get right into very special conversation.
- [01:05]
Elise Ellis
After a word from our sponsors.
- [01:12]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [01:17]
AT&T Sponsor Voice
The best kind of help is the kind you don't even have to ask for. Like your friend pulling up on moving day with a truck, a speaker and snacks ready to go. Well, that's the energy you get with AT&T's new guarantee. If there's ever a network interruption and they make it right by giving you credit for a full day of service. Proactively credit for Fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more or wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers. Restrictions and exclusions apply. See att.com guarantee for full details. At and T Connecting Changes Everything.
- [01:59]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Many of us play lots of different roles in life partner, employee, caregiver. And many of us also think about another role that could take our life where we want it to be. Degree Holder. That's where National University comes in. They've been busy since 1971 creating more ways for you to work earning a degree into your hectic life. NU confers more graduate degrees to diverse populations than any other institution in the country, with more than half being earned by women with flexible online formats, NU makes higher education possible and achievable for busy working adults. Learn more today at nu.edu. this episode of Therapy for Black Girls is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you are booking your next trip or a weekend escape, Chase Sapphire Reserve is your gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you get eight times points on all purchases made through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music, festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets you into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. Travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Trust me. Discover more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [03:16]
Merck Sponsor Voice 1
Parents of twins if you're familiar with far off drop offs.
- [03:20]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Dad, stop. Stop.
- [03:20]
Merck Sponsor Voice 2
Stop right here or get DMs about what's for dinner. You may be experiencing tween milestones for your son or daughter. These can start at age 9. HPV vaccination, a type of cancer prevention against certain HPV related cancers, can start then too.
- [03:34]
Merck Sponsor Voice 1
For most, HPV clears on its own, but for those who don't clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers later in life.
- [03:40]
Merck Sponsor Voice 2
Embrace this phase, help protect them in the next. Ask their doctor today about HPV vaccination. Brought to you by Merck.
- [03:52]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
10 years.
- [03:53]
Elise Ellis
And 399 episodes have led us to this very special moment in TBG history. Our 400th episode growing this podcast has been so transformative for myself, my team, and the community we have built along the way. With that in mind, today's episode is.
- [04:13]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Centered around the resting work we must.
- [04:15]
Elise Ellis
Remember to integrate as we grow.
- [04:17]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is an internationally celebrated peloton, yoga and meditation teacher and scholar, highly regarded as a leader in.
- [04:26]
Elise Ellis
A new generation of yogis who are passionate about expanding the visibility of who.
- [04:31]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Is commonly seen as a teacher. Unpacking her own history with meditation and.
- [04:35]
Elise Ellis
Yoga as both a healing tool and.
- [04:38]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Wellness practice, Dr. Chelsea shares how her practice has deepened her understanding of intentional movement, the need for grace with our bodies, and the lessons it has offered.
- [04:48]
Elise Ellis
Her throughout her motherhood journey. I'm really excited for you to hear this conversation.
- [04:53]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
If something resonates with you while enjoying the conversation, please share it with us on social media using the hashtag tbgincession. Here's our conversation.
- [05:08]
Elise Ellis
We're big fans here at Therapy for Black Girls, so we have a virtual gathering every Thursday called three for Thursday and we start with meditations and we often use your five minute meditations from Peloton as our grounding. So it is such an honor to chat with you. You.
- [05:23]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I love that. Same here.
- [05:26]
Elise Ellis
Thank you. Thank you. So maybe you can take us back in history for a moment. Do you remember your very first yoga class and can you trace a line from that moment to the Chelsea we know you as now?
- [05:38]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah, I remember like yesterday. I remember it was a hot yoga class. I remember feeling incredibly uncomfortable looking around the room and wondering if I was in the right place, if I was in over my head. I remember there were mirrors all around and I remember that moment when I looked at myself in the eyes and it was just like that aha moment. It was fear, it was excitement, curiosity, it was uncertainty, it was not being really sure what I was experiencing. But I just remember that it was hot. And I remember myself leaning into the discomfort but then also wondering what was on the other side of it. And I fainted. I fainted in that hot yoga class. And I also remember coming to, I remember cold towels around me, people seeing if I was okay. But what I walked away with is knowing that it was that moment that changed the trajectory of the rest of my life. It was at a time when I was a first year school teacher, I'm a former elementary school teacher. And I just remember looking and longing for a space for me to feel free, for me to feel like I was accomplishing a goal and for, for me understanding my body and especially in that time, put me where I am today. And that's who you see me as now. There were certainly other things that led to kind of this synergy that met me being an educator, me being a researcher, me being someone who was very introspective. I always wanted to be self reflective. And so to be able to cast as wide of a net that will even reach for us to be able to talk today, that is the path that led me to where I am right now.
- [07:26]
Elise Ellis
Wow, what a story. So I did not know that origin story. So, you know, I think hot yoga, I feel like I hear about it sometimes and then not so much other times. What is the importance of like the hot, like the temperature in the room?
- [07:39]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I will not stress an importance or not. I think that that's for the practitioner. That was just my entry point. I thought that yoga had to be this way workout. I thought that it had to be something where if I didn't sweat then it was a waste of my time. It was actually after that that I realized that the hot wasn't necessary. It was really the practice. And I think that once you can tap into what the practice means for you, whether it's yoga or meditation, then that hot is going to come, whether it's in the form of the lesson that you're learning on the mat or it's not necessary, it's not required. So I'm not necessarily an advocate of you got to have that hot yoga. That was just my introduction to yog yoga.
- [08:20]
Elise Ellis
Got it. So can you talk a little bit more about the differences and maybe similarities between yoga and meditation? Because I think sometimes people use those kind of synonymously when they are different. Can you talk about the difference between both of them?
- [08:33]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
So historically when you look back at the origin story. We're talking about origin stories of yoga and meditation. It was actually the meditation, it was the practice of being one point of your focus right now. I think that this time that we're in is a perfect example of what's on the. The opposite end of, in a meditative state. So when you're overwhelmed, when you're consuming, when you feel like you're being consumed by all the messages, the information that you're getting out in the world, I think that people seek a meditation practice when they want to. People say quiet their mind, but I don't. I'm not an advocate of saying that we need to quiet our mind. I think that that would just like make me not want to try meditation, because that is absolutely hard. But I think that is being clear on what your thoughts are so that you can be grounded and then be able to articulate that from a place of understanding. And so meditation for me is a place that I go when I want to understand, when I need to just be reflective. I take a moment to pause, whether it's for five minutes or a 30 minute practice. Now, yoga was then introduced way later. When you're looking at the text, when you're looking at the origin story with relationship to India in particular, all of the texts about yoga came after what people were, what the teachers, what the sages were teaching about meditation and that learning of the wisdom. So I think of meditation as this access point. Whether you're a child or Whether you are 100 years old, it's a place that you can explore. Yoga is the physical practice that can even prepare your body to be able to sit for meditation and listen. I love yoga. I call it a moving meditation because you're still really one point of focus on your practice, whether it's your body, your mind or your breath.
- [10:28]
Elise Ellis
I really appreciate you bringing in and tying it to this moment in particular. Right. Because I think you use the perfect word of overwhelm.
- [10:35]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah.
- [10:36]
Elise Ellis
Just feeling stretched thin and like there's just so much coming at us. Can you talk about what kinds of things are important or what would allow us to get more into a meditative state when it feels like there is so much coming at us at once?
- [10:49]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I think that, you know, before we even started this conversation, it was important for us to find a space that was quiet. Now you do your best when it comes to meditation. I always tell people it does not have to be a perfect setting. If we wait for that perfection, we may never ever meditate. And so for me, it's important to find an environment that at least is suitable for me to be able to focus on my breath. And that is what I always tell my students. You mentioned peloton. I love that we've practiced together through peloton. And if you know me, know that I'm always either using visualization as your anchor or the breath as your anchor. And so people who want to try that practice, I always say start at a small amount of time. I love that I can offer step by step and how to start a meditation practice even in 5 minute increments on the app. So I love that we practice together. So meditation, it sounds like a tall order, but if you really pace yourself, you'll see how it's actually quite accessible.
- [11:54]
Elise Ellis
So you started our conversation talking about how you were looking for, like, a different relationship with your body and like, freedom with your body. And one of the ways that drew you to yoga, how has your relationship with your body and like the. The idea of balance change, both as a practitioner and also now as a new mom.
- [12:12]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah, it's humbling. One of my favorite and most ancient texts, it's called the Yoga Sutras by Pantanjali of Pantanjali. And the first line is, the yoga begins now. And it's almost like I always, I'm a child of the 80s and I always like to refer to Mr. Miyagi and the Karate Kid. And if anybody is Familiar with that, Mr. Miyagi is telling Lynn Daniel son to, you know, wax on, wax off. And he's like doing this practice of wiping the windshield over and over again. And he doesn't understand why I'm doing this. And then finally it was the big competition and saw, oh, this is where we integrated. And for me, 20 years almost, or really 20 plus years of practicing yoga is as I age. It is as I step into this uncharted territory of being a new parent, being a new mom, as I step into uncharted territory of casting as wide of a net as the people who can listen to me right now speak about yoga and meditation, it has certainly gotten me more clear on why I still practice yoga and meditation. When we think about the life in which we live today, especially as we grow older and we become more engaged in society, a lot of people think sometimes yogis are like, quiet, and this is, you know, we're just about peace, and I am about peace. But it also gets me clear on where I stand on issues in the world where I understand myself, how I play a role in what I said. I want to just feel free on the mat. How do I play a role in ensuring that my child, children, whomever come after me, will experience freedom in that way. And for me, yoga is deeply integrated to how I show up in the world. And I'm all about, you know, using it as a liberatory practice for people.
- [14:06]
Elise Ellis
Can you say more about like, how that shows up in your mothering?
- [14:09]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah. So one of the first things that I learned in yoga was about non attachment. And that was scary to me, like detachment, non attachment. Like I didn't understand what that meant until I practiced yoga. And it's really of going in with this intention, this goal of wanting to be clear on what I wanted to get out of my practice, but also being open that I may not have control over the environment. Maybe something will try to take me out of that moment, but I'm going to come back to my practice to practice being present. And for me, I can't control. This is the most humbling practice of knowing that I can't control my partner, I can't control my child, I can't control anyone outside of the way that I govern myself in this world. And so being a parent isn't any different. If anything, I see my yoga practice showing up for me in those moments of I'm going to do my best, I'm going to do all of the things that I've learned up until this moment to do my best. And it doesn't have to look perfect and if it's not perfect, that doesn't mean that I'm going to give up. It means that I come back to practice the next day. And so remembering to take that breath, remembering to be present. Because the first thing that I heard when being a parent to people who had children who were older than my experience and they would just always say, enjoy it, be present. They grow up so fast. And so it's teaching me to be present with where noble is in life, in every breath. And so, yeah, it has certainly empowered me as a parent in ways that I don't think that I would have tapped in had I not had the practice.
- [15:49]
Elise Ellis
Thank you for that. That's such a beautiful reminder. That is you do get that advice often, right? Like being present because it goes so fast and it's important to kind connected to the ways that we meditate.
- [15:59]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Right.
- [15:59]
Elise Ellis
I think that's a good reminder. Thank you for that.
- [16:03]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
More from our conversation after the break.
- [16:12]
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- [17:19]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Many of us play lots of different roles in life partner, employee, caregiver. And many of us also think about another role that could take our life where we want it to be. Degree Holder that's where National University comes in. They've been busy since 1971 creating more ways for you to work earning a degree into your hectic life. NU confers more graduate degrees to diverse populations than any other institution in the country, with more than half being earned by women. With flexible online formats, NU makes higher education possible and achievable for busy working adults. Learn more today at nu.edu. this episode of therapy for Black girls is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you're booking your next trip or a weekend escape, Chase Sapphire Reserve is your gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I travel somewhere, I'm typically determined to try the best local pizza and find the best spa experience. With Chase Sapphire Reserve, you have access to everything from private dinners hosted by award winning chefs to VIP treatment at the most sought after events. Chase Sapphire Reserve allows you to take advantage of one of a kind experiences while earning three times points on dining worldwide. No matter your destination, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more with Chase sapphire reserve@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [18:52]
Merck Sponsor Voice 1
Parents of Tweens if you're familiar with.
- [18:54]
AT&T Sponsor Voice 2
Far off Drop offs.
- [18:55]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Dad, stop. Stop. Stop right here.
- [18:56]
Merck Sponsor Voice 2
Or get DMs about what's for dinner. You may be experiencing tween milestones for your son or daughter. These can start at age 9. HPV vaccination, a type of cancer prevention against certain HPV related cancers, can start then too.
- [19:09]
Merck Sponsor Voice 1
For most, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don't clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers later in life.
- [19:15]
Merck Sponsor Voice 2
Embrace this phase. Help protect them in the next. Ask their doctor today about HPV vaccination brought to you by Merck.
- [19:25]
Elise Ellis
We talked a little bit about your work with Peloton. And so can you tell me about like the pressure if you feel any about like practicing so publicly, Something that's so intimate, right? Like it feels like when we're practicing with you on the app, it feels like we are just kind of in the room with you. So it feels very intimate. But you're on this large stage. Can you talk about the pressures of that?
- [19:46]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
For sure. Where I feel the most comfortable is when we are practicing, when we are in it together. Because that to me is where that humility comes in. I speak about humbleness a lot in this conversation we just had, but it keeps me there because I'm like, I'm still practicing. I don't care how many years I have underneath my belt, it's still a practice for me. So I feel the connection whenever I'm able to deliver the practice. If I'm focused on yoga, meditation, that's where I'm like, okay, I got this. It's in conversations like this where I'm still learning, I'm still challenged, I'm still developing and evolving, hopefully getting stronger. And I know that my practice, I talk publicly about how I would often feel overwhelmed with public speaking. In particular, I am a PhD. I remember feeling so like it was in my heart, in my bones, you know, the work that I did with yoga literature and art camp, which was the result of my dissertation. But I remember defending the dissertation and just having to communicate in that way. And so there is a pressure that I've never, ever felt before in life because Peloton has certainly placed me in homes and gyms and communities that may have never accessed maybe yoga before or maybe not have been educators and may not have found me that way. And so now, being in a more general population, it strengthened me more than ever. It's reminded me that this is not about me. I can still use my narrative, my origin story as a way to share, you know, how the practice has impacted me, but it also opens my mind, whether it's the music that I use or the stories that I open myself to tell so that I can connect with whomever. And I think that that is what truly is going to strengthen us, especially during times that we may feel disconnected, community wise and globally that I think that the more that we step onto the mat and interrogate ourselves and the things that keep us disconnected, we'll understand it and how it shows up out in the world. And so that's. Those pressures are often soothed by knowing that it's for this greater understanding of connection. And so that's how I'm dealing with the pressure. And it's not perfect, just like my practice, but I keep showing up. And that for me is. Is what's important.
- [22:09]
Elise Ellis
So let's talk about this music, because this is one of the things that I think is most exciting to me about the way that you practice, because I think you often do use. You had a recent outcast meditation like you often bring in very now music in a way that I think is not what we typically think of as yoga or meditation music. So can you talk about those choices and maybe how that has broadened your audience?
- [22:33]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah, well, I think about just music in general. I'm a musician, I'm a trained pianist. Whether I'm playing classical music or if I'm trying to figure out jazz or, you know, I've always seen music in the genres of music as a way that we can transcend languages as, you know, different cultures can appreciate music, and that's a universal language sometimes. And I think that when you're feeling overwhelmed, especially in practices like yoga that center your body or can center the body so much, whether it's like, I don't know if I'm flexible enough, or I don't know if I have the right yoga body, and all of these things that tell us that we do not belong. I think that when we open music as an invitation or as a bridge, we remind people that they belong. So when I first started teaching yoga, I remember, you know, it wasn't the biggest moment of my career. That was challenging, but it stood out. It was when I was teaching at a local studio and one of the regular practitioners told me that the music that I was playing didn't belong there. And it was like hip hop or R and B. And so I started to, you know, reflect on that, almost making it a mantra like, the music doesn't belong here. I don't belong here. And you have to be careful of the Self talk and the mantras that you create and etch into your heart and into your mind. And it was important for me to rewrite that. And so I'm like, so what if I started putting actual, like, trap yoga, yoga in here? What if I put, you know, I did a metal yoga class and talk about stretching myself to adhering to the guidelines that I've put out there for people to try with yoga, like, try something new. Move beyond your discomfort. And it's just like, I think that once I move beyond musical genres, I'm opening myself and hopefully creating a bridge and safety for people who didn't know that they belonged. And so if they hear music that is familiar, then let that be the thing that brings you to the map. So that's kind of where the music diversity that I bring to the mat comes from.
- [24:42]
Elise Ellis
I love that. I love that. So you are joining us, Chelsea, for our 400th episode of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast.
- [24:50]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Thank you. Thank you.
- [24:52]
Elise Ellis
And, you know, so much of our work has been kind of centered in community, and it, to me, feels like it is a parallel for the career you've had. You've talked about, like, this 20 plus plus years of practice that you've done in practicing in a Lululemon ambassador and your teaching career. So what has longevity really taught you about authenticity?
- [25:11]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
What has longevity taught me about authenticity? I think that the longer that you are here as a more aware human being, the truer you are going to be to yourself and to the people around you. And so for me, I want to be here. We're about to go to Ohio. My grandmother is celebrating 100 years, and she is so very present, so very. We can be in conversation sometimes. I'm learning things that's in pop culture from her before I. I heard about it, and so I learned from her. And the one thing that I remember is, or many things that I remember from her, is that she continued to keep her mind young by understanding and learning new things. So she's constantly working with her hands or driving somewhere or learning a new thing. And so for me, I think that longevity, the longer that we're here as present human beings. Yes. The truer that we're going to be to ourselves and the people around us. And so I celebrate, you know, I celebrate you all and what you're doing in the longevity and showing the value that understanding that we matter and are worthy of therapy and spaces, that we understand who we are at a deeper level in this moment. Moment, yeah. Longevity. That was a beautiful question. Longevity offers definitely to that authenticity.
- [26:35]
Elise Ellis
So, you know, I'm a member of the Facebook groups for Black women's peloton group, and it often feels like we are, like, championing you as you are championing us. Right. Like, in creating these spaces where all of us can feel seen on the mat. And so I know you are also a Spelman grad, so can you talk to me about your time at Spelman and what you really learned about sisterhood in your time there?
- [26:57]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
So I'm from Dayton, Ohio, originally, and going to Spelman College. I went to a black college tour, and I remember going to, like, FAMU, shout out to all the HBCUs out there. There is love spread across. And I think about how excited I got when I went to all of these different places. But there was something that happened when I stepped onto the campus of Spelman College that affirmed me in a way that I was searching or longing for where I was from, where I was from in terms of the age that I was coming from at that time, the region in which I was coming from. And I remembered that I wanted more. I wanted to understand and learn more. Whether I was going to go and go back to my hometown and Spelman, for me, was. It was an affirmation. It was a reminder. It was an opening lens that I don't think that I had ever applied towards myself, because I saw the reflection of myself through my sisters and siblings who were around me, who I may never have had access to. And so I think that all of us, when I ask another Spelman graduate, what drew you to Spelman? Oftentimes, our answers are definitely diverse, but there's always this common thread that we needed, this. This affirming space that it normalized our leadership, our presence and our voice in the world. And I know that it has sharpened my tool. That was definitely a springboard for where I am today.
- [28:26]
Elise Ellis
I love that that's such a hood theme. Definitely comes out a lot when you talk to Spelman women. Right. Like, there's a clear sense that this is a space created for and by you.
- [28:35]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Exactly. And that is what, you know, offered. That was the birthplace of yoga, literature and art camp for teen girls. And, you know, it was like this intergenerational experience of saying, this is where I learned this, and I wish that I had this. As my colleague Octavia Raheem would say. She would say, I wish this is a place that I wish I would have had when I was this age. And so for us to have been able to provide a space for us to, even at the age of 13, to begin to understand practices like yoga, meditation and therapy and art and literature and all of these spaces that are valuable for us, it was important for me to give back as well.
- [29:17]
Elise Ellis
So can you talk more about the yoga literature and art? You talked about it being an extension of your dissertation project. Can you say more about what the camp was?
- [29:25]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
My dissertation was at Emory, and it was in language literacy and culture. And I wanted to look at how yoga, because it has such an impact in my life, I wanted to know, how could it be used as this tool for us to understand, to interrogate the world, to speak up as a voice in this world. How is yoga and meditation fueling that? And so I wanted specifically to work with young people who identified as women of color, specifically black women. But we had a diverse range of teachers, whether they were from Iran or Korea or Caribbean, we had a very diverse group. But because we were at a historically black college, it was important for us to also remind ourselves, because we were positioned here, we are positioned here in the United States. And I think that that context is always important as black women. And so yoga, literature and art camp is underneath the umbrella of Red Clay Yoga. And that's our nonprofit that my husband Shane and I founded. And so for me, it has been this landma. It is a space where community gathers, whether you're a community activist, an educator, an artist. And we work together so that we can create these spaces for young people in particular to feel safe and seen. And yoga meditation was certainly that platform for me. And I was just like, well, what would happen if we extended that even at a younger age?
- [30:50]
Elise Ellis
What do you think of some of the benefits of young people getting engaged with yoga?
- [30:54]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Well, I know for sure through my research. So I'm an ethnographer, and I study specifically the culture and the way in which people communicate in language. And the girls who participated, they saw how it impacted their. Their direction that they went after they graduated from high school. We have one young woman who applied for a master's program in yoga, in particular an mfa. And then we have another young woman who started her own company. And then others who were activists in their graduate schools after they went to Spelman. We had a handful of girls who actually applied and went to Spelman afterwards. And so it was interesting to see what we already saw as this light in them, because in order to go to YLA camp, it was free, but you had to want to be there. It wasn't like this place that you sent your children because you just needed something to do with them. And I understand how people need to negotiate their time, but this, this was a space that we wanted the teens to want to be there. So they applied, they went through an interview process. And so knowing that they had something in them that wanted to be more reflective, we knew that that was just the fuel that we needed and support to see where they went out into the world. And so many of them are showing up in leadership positions like I mentioned, activism, graduate school trajectories. And so we're really proud of our YLA graduates. Graduates.
- [32:21]
Elise Ellis
I love those stories and it does feel like, you know, then they change the little circles that they are a part of. Right. So it starts with the YLA camp and then it spreads to wherever they find themselves.
- [32:31]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Exactly.
- [32:32]
Elise Ellis
Yeah. Yeah.
- [32:34]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
More from our conversation after the break. Many of us play lots of different roles in life partner, employee, caregiver. And many of us also think about another role that could take our life where we want it to be. Degree Holder that's where National University comes in. They've been busy since 1971 creating more ways for you to work earning a degree into your hectic life. NU confers more graduate degrees to diverse populations than any other institution in the country, with more than half being earned by women. With flexible online formats, NU makes higher education possible and achievable for busy working adults. Learn more today at nu.edu. this episode of Therapy for Black Girls is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you're booking your next trip or a weekend escape, Chase Sapphire Reserve is your gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I travel somewhere, I'm typically determined to try the best local pizza and find the best spa experience. With Chase Sapphire Reserve, you have access to everything from private dinners hosted by award winning chefs to VIP treatment at the most sought after events. Chase Sapphire Reserve allows you to take advantage of one of a kind experiences while earning three times points on dining worldwide. No matter your destination, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more with Chase sapphire reserve@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank Naomi Member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [34:14]
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- [34:18]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Stop.
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- [34:48]
Elise Ellis
As I hear you talk about yoga, Chelsea, it often feels like a way of community care. Can you talk about the connection between yoga and community care and yoga as a form of community care?
- [35:00]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah, I think that because yoga is something that is expected to be a routine, a practice, a ritual, if you will, just like anything that brings meaning or builds meaning for you, whether as an individual or a collective, I think that when we pour into something and we practice doing it over and over again, that it does leave those ripples that move out into the wider community. And so I think that community care looks like these opportunities. And I always love to quote James Baldwin in that. I always talk about the both. And for me, the both end is both the suffering and the joy. And James Baldwin often talks about understanding our own suffering as individuals so that we can understand the suffering of others because it's there. That's just the human experience. But what we can do is use that understanding of the suffering to go deeper into love. And for me, love is the portal to joy. And so we can feel overwhelmed by the reality of the shifts and changes of the world. We can. But how dare we not also understand and see the love and the joy that exists, too? I think about my grandmother who's turning 100, and I think about the stories that she still tells. And it's always sprinkled with so much joy. And so my hope is that our community care looks like creating those safe spaces, those affirming spaces, those spaces where we can practice liberation as a way to not only care for ourselves, but to care for each other. So that, for me, is what a yoga and meditation community, community does.
- [36:38]
Elise Ellis
So, Chelsea, I remember the excitement of you announcing your pregnancy. I remember it on Instagram. But I also know that so many athletes are. There's some hesitation around, like, pregnancy and motherhood, especially when their positions are connected to physicality. Right. So getting pregnant, like, is this going to disrupt my career in some way? How have you been able to navigate that?
- [37:00]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I know you do, like people do, like, personality quizzes to understand, like, what type of person, big picture detail, like, all of those things. And I think that I am definitely detailed, but I think what gives me hope is big picture. And when I think about the fullness of my life, when I think about the fullness of my grandmother's life and what, you know, she'll think about on that, you know, towards the end, as I'm sure people consider each and every day. But I know that I'm going to think about the impact that I made with, with my career. But I also want to remember those moments of love that I share with my family and friends. Friends. So whatever that looks like, whether I would have become a parent or not, I want to look at the ways that I choose to spend my time with the people I love and care about. And so for me, I am not going to allow anything like whether it's professional, career wise impact, the bigger, fuller picture of love that I know that I'm worthy of. And so for me in my journey, being a mother, a parent was certainly a part of that, that being married to my best friend was a part of that. And so I'm grateful that it's working out. And of course it comes with sacrifice. It comes with the balance between effort and ease. It comes with all of the things. But I do believe that, that we are worthy if we want to see our lives play out in a certain way, that is possible. I waited later to have children and I still have exactly what I knew that I wanted. And it's scary to say that out loud sometimes. And I think that yoga and meditation strengthen my courage to say the things that I wanted. And being a parent has been a part of that.
- [38:43]
Elise Ellis
Thank you for that. Can you say more about how yoga meditation helps to increase courage?
- [38:48]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah. Well, if anyone's ever, you know, tried or attempted yoga positions or even allowing their mind to tell them that they didn't belong somewhere and they still did it anyway, then that to me is showing you how you can show up out in the world. I always say that you use your yoga practice as a way to strengthen how you show up in the world. And so if I'm telling myself, oh, I don't belong here, I don't have a yoga body, I don't have what it takes to be a. So I'm not gonna go, I'm probably showing up in different aspects of my life like that. So the number one thing is I tell students to be kind to yourself, like to even lighten the load or the expectation so that you do have an entry point where you can set sustainable, achievable intentions and goals so that you don't overwhelm yourself and then just say, oh, it's not perfect. I'm never doing this again. And so, yeah, that, that's my approach. That is my approach.
- [39:47]
Elise Ellis
And I'm sure you're already doing this, but how are you planning to introduce your little one to yoga and meditation as he grows girls over there?
- [39:54]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Well, he's already there. And I think that that's what's so beautiful, that it even surprises you how much they are paying attention. And I think that that's a testament to just being present with the people you love, especially the little ones. Because Noble was doing movements that I had no idea he was paying attention to. But because whenever I have a live class, Shane is always very. It's that routine of Noble is there front and center for a morning meditation or a morning yoga class. I will end the day even with me being right there, ashamed. Being right there with the sleep meditation. So he's hearing these things daily, and it's a part of his routine. And so he's already introduced to it. Whether it was by design or on purpose or not, he's around it. That's why y' all be careful what you say around the little ones and do, because they are watching.
- [40:47]
Elise Ellis
Absolutely, yes. So you talked a little bit about this, Chelsea, but what's something that you've learned about yourself from motherhood that you didn't expect?
- [40:56]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I didn't realize that I am as strong as I am. Like, I didn't. It's when you sit back from those moments that may feel like chaos. And if you can get through, like, some of those moments, it's just like anything else is just like, I can make it through this. I can get through this. And again, this is where yoga and meditation comes in. It's just like, what good is it going to do for me, me to now physically arrive to the state that my mind is trying to take me? And it's just like this ripple effect. And so yoga, for me, teaches me how to practice. Okay. When chaos happens, when the unexpected happens, what are you going to do? Oh, wow. Remember this tool, this breath you remembered on the mat. You can do it here right now. And so it reminds me of that connection. And that in turn reminds me how strong I am in those moments. Moments. And then also how vulnerable I am. I don't think that we talk about that enough about the soft parts of us. It's always like, I didn't realize how strong I am, resilient I am. I didn't realize how vulnerable I am, how soft I am, how tender this moment is. And so it's definitely making my senses even more aware. And I love that.
- [42:08]
Elise Ellis
So on The Everyday Better podcast, you talked about losing your best friend to gun violence at the age of 2024 and how yoga was really instrumental in helping you to heal through that grief. Can you talk about how yoga is an anchoring for people and can be used for emotional healing beyond just movement?
- [42:27]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Absolutely. And. And for every case was case by case. And I wish I would have found therapy earlier. I think that yoga and meditation was a gateway and an opening for me to even open myself to sit down with a professional therapy therapist. And so I'm with a somatic therapist, which is important for me because I am so connected to my body and its responses. And so during that time, especially early 20s, I think that they say your frontal lobe is just ending in development at like 25. And it's so. I had seen these experiences in the news. I'm from Dayton, Ohio. I was living in Atlanta. I'm a black woman, I have black family. Like all of these things. Like, I had always seen gun violence, but it was always very close to home. But when it hit home, I think that I definitely had this trauma response of freezing. I froze. Everything stood still. I didn't know what. Didn't know what to do in that moment. And so I had already had this yoga practice that was doing this physical thing for me, but I had never connected it to what if I used it as a way to heal from this experience. I didn't know that that was what I was doing. I didn't know that that was the language. I didn't even realize until later, after doing therapy that I was tapping into that part of me that was responding to that traumatic event. And so Misty Carter, Misty Denise Carter from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Spelman Class of 2001, was definitely catalyst for me seeing that how yoga and meditation went beyond this physical practice that was just like this workout for me to being transformative and again impacted the trajectory of my life. Life. Yeah, yeah.
- [44:12]
Elise Ellis
And when you were looking for a therapist, did you know to look for like somatic therapy or did you try something else before and then it led you to some.
- [44:19]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I had tried something. I had tried good old fashioned therapy. It was just like, I need a therapist. It's a therapist. And it was when I started getting deeper into yoga and I understood what somatic practices were, and then I knew to look for a specific type of therapist. And it was the best decision I couldn't make. Made like it was just a holistic approach for someone like me who was so dedicated to the embodiment of yoga.
- [44:47]
Elise Ellis
Yeah, right, right. I'm sure that that was very important.
- [44:51]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Yeah, yeah.
- [44:52]
Elise Ellis
So what would you say to Black women who maybe want to start a mindfulness or yoga practice but feel like they don't have the time to do it?
- [44:59]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
You are worthy of that time. And I don't know what else we are making time for if we can't carve out that time and space for ourselves. I think that this is a well known reminder to put to apply the oxygen mask first before applying the other. My mother in love always says that, who is a survivor of breast cancer and uses her spunk, her influence, to tell other women in particular, to get yourself examined, to get yourself checked out, to make that time and space. And that is my same way that I go about yoga and meditation, or if it's not yoga, meditation, finding rest practices. I think that yoga and meditation are great access points because there is way more information. But just resting, I think that black women in particular need to be reminded of that. And also, it's not lost on me that our lives aren't necessarily set up for that luxury. But I need us to all take a moment and pause. It's just like, well, what else can we do if we don't do that? And so finding that space to rest, to pause, to listen.
- [46:07]
Elise Ellis
Are there any particular yoga poses or affirmations or meditations that you would offer for people who want to start small and maybe kind of get this practice going?
- [46:16]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I always tell people, like, if you go to a yoga class or if you're practicing with me and you think that you can't finish it out, find a posture, at least one that resonates with you. Whether you are lying down on your side in a fetal position, just try to stay with it. Because that is a part of the routine. That is a part of the practice of sticking with it and seeing it through. And so I just tell people to start out small, whether it's five minutes or a 30 minute practice, and to choose that posture that feels best for you and you can hold it, give yourself permission. Nobody is going to give you a demerit. No one is going to write you up for not doing it the right way. And I think that yoga and meditation allows us to unlearn the things that we've learned about ourselves and that we have to place onto ourselves, especially as Black women, to allow this to not be that place where that exists. Yeah.
- [47:12]
Elise Ellis
Thank you for that. It has been so wonderful to spend some time with you today. Chelsea, thank you so much for joining.
- [47:18]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Us this is a beautiful conversation and congratulations on 400.
- [47:24]
Elise Ellis
Thank you. I really appreciate appreciate that. So where can we stay connected with you? What is your website as well as any social media channels you'd like to share?
- [47:32]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
I am Chelsea Loves Yoga across all social media and I'm Chelsea Jackson Roberts and you can find me at Peloton and you do not need the equipment. This is a common misconception. You do not need a bike, a tread, a roll, anything to connect with me. All you need is your smartphone and app. Anything that can hold that Peloton. I can either take you to sleep with a sleep meditation, wake you up in the morning with the A flow. Whatever you need, I'm here and you can do it and you are worthy of the time and space.
- [48:06]
Elise Ellis
Absolutely. Thank you Chelsea.
- [48:08]
Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts
Thank you.
- [48:13]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
I'm so glad Chelsea was able to.
- [48:15]
Elise Ellis
Join me for this conversation today. To learn more about her and her.
- [48:18]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Work, visit the Show Notes at therapy for black girls.com session 400 and don't.
- [48:24]
Elise Ellis
Forget to text this episode to two.
- [48:25]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Of your girls right now. If you're looking for a therapist in your area, visit our Therapist Directory at therapy for blackgirls.com directory and if you.
- [48:35]
Elise Ellis
Want to leave us a voicemail with.
- [48:37]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
A question or a topic you want to suggest for the podcast, please leave us a voice Note @Memo FM Therapy for Black Black Girls and let us know what's on your mind. We just might answer it or address.
- [48:49]
Elise Ellis
It on the podcast.
- [48:50]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
This episode was produced by Elise Ellis and Tyre Rush. Editing was done by Dennison Bradford. Thank y' all so much for joining me again this week. I look forward to continuing this conversation.
- [49:01]
Elise Ellis
With you all real soon.
- [49:03]
Dr. Joy Hardin Bradford
Take good care. Many of us play lots of different roles in life partner, employee, caregivers. And many of us also think about another role that could take our life where we want it to be. Degree Holder that's where National University comes in. They've been busy since 1971 creating more ways for you to work, earning a degree into your hectic life. NU confers more graduate degrees to diverse populations than any other institution in the country, with more than half being earned by women with flexible online formats, NU makes higher education possible and achievable for busy working ability adults. Learn more today at nu.edu. this episode of Therapy for Black Girls is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether you are booking your next trip or a weekend escape, Chase Sapphire Reserve is your gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you get eight times points on all purchases made through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets you into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. Travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Trust me. Discover more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [50:26]
Elise Ellis
This is an iHeart podcast.