Keeping changemakers’ cups full and passion strong
// By Jacqueline Brennan
Mindful leadership is rooted in self awareness. And the inner work you do directly impacts your outer work — not only how you show up at work, but also how you show up in your life. But what happens when changemakers — who focus squarely on improving the lives of others — feel dry and burned out, as if they can’t give any more? Who helps the people who help the people?
Kashi Atlanta, a nonprofit urban yoga ashram, has developed a “Changemakers Toolkit” of reflection activities and mindfulness skills they’ll facilitate throughout Upswell that will offer Upswell attendees life-changing, pattern-breaking, joy-enhancing tools.
Swami Jaya Devi Bhagavati, founder and spiritual director of Kashi Atlanta, says she’s “thrilled to be a part of the Upswell team this year because “I love sharing practices that help people keep their cup full and their passion strong.
“We will be teaching these skills in the Upswell Reflection Lounge throughout Upswell. We’ve also created beautifully designed ‘collector’s cards’ that describe each of the six tools with a link to our Changemakers’ Toolkit website and video instructions explaining each tool. These will provide an invaluable ongoing resource after Upswell to remind you how to practice the art of skillful living, dancing with whatever comes.”
Each day Kashi Atlanta will host a number of mindfulness activities, including a sunrise yoga practice, multiple breath and guided meditation practices, and pain-free body sessions with their postural alignment specialist. The Reflection Lounge will also provide a refuge from the bustle of Upswell, with deep quietude sessions and open space where you’ll have the opportunity to “get quiet” on your own and unplug.
In addition to the Reflection Lounge, Swami Jaya Devi also will lead the workshop, Be the Eye of the Storm: The Unshakeable Depth of Being, and the deep-dive workshop, Drink as You Pour: Anti Burnout Practices for Warriors of Change. (Check out our Q&A with Swami Jaya Devi from earlier this year to learn more about her and Kashi Atlanta.)
Start Practicing Mindfulness Now
To help changemakers get a head start on practicing mindfulness in advance of Upswell, Kashi Atlanta is asking attendees to take advantage of their Art of Non-Reaction tool, a breath-based practice to create a gap between you and your habitual reactions so you can develop a conscious response.
For details on all of the sessions Kashi Atlanta will facilitate throughout Upswell, check out Reflection Activities for the location, days, and times.
