In this inspiring episode of The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing in Work and Life, Dr. Stephanie Romero sits down with master educator and 36-year Raja Yoga practitioner Felicia Savage Friedman to explore the powerful intersection of embodied mindfulness and anti-racism activism. Together, they discuss breaking free from perfectionism, recognizing rest and joy as innate birthrights rather than rewards, and using the eight-limbed path of yoga to heal internalized oppression. Tune in to learn how grounding your contemplative practice in unconditional love creates a sustainable foundation for both personal resilience and collective liberation.

Resources:

• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Translation and Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda)

  • Context: Felicia references studying and following The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by her teacher’s lineage (Swami Satchidananda) as the core text for her 8-limbed Raja Yoga practice.

  • Where to Find It:

    • Barnes & Noble

    • Amazon

• The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (PISAB)

  • Context: Felicia attended their Undoing Racism training in St. Louis in 2014, which provided her with the structural analysis and anti-racist framework that she merged with her Raja Yoga practice.

  • Website: pisab.org

• National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)

  • Context: Felicia brought in NETA to host intensive yoga teacher training certifications earlier in her career.

  • Website: netafit.org

• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

  • Context: Felicia worked with Amanda K. Gross conducting community listening sessions through AFSC.

  • Website: afsc.org

• The Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health (Formerly "Birthplace" – Pittsburgh, PA)

  • Context: The birth center where Felicia delivered her daughter Maya out-of-hospital using her Raja Yoga and breathwork practices.

  • Website: midwifecenter.org

• The Kingsley Association (Pittsburgh, PA)

  • Context: The community center in Pittsburgh’s Larimer/East Liberty neighborhood where Felicia previously taught yoga classes.

  • Website: kingsleyassociation.org

• Raja Yoga (The 8-Limbed Path): The classical path of yoga outlined in Patanjali’s Sutras involving ethics (Yamas/Niyamas), physical postures (Asana), breath control (Pranayama), sensory withdrawal (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and self-realization (Samadhi).

• Hatha Yoga: A subset of the 8-limbed path focusing on physical postures (Asana) and breath control (Pranayama).

Learn More at www.awakencollaborative.com

Music: Weather Any Storm by Cody Francis and Forever and A Day by Kim Aspen (canva.com)

Produced by Say Some Thing Studios, a creative media division of Elevate 1 Consulting.

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Music: "Chill Mode" by Audiobinger from the free music archive. This work is openly licensed via CC BY 4.0.