An Update from Charles
I often have flashbacks of my time in discipleship school. One of our teachers, Kim Clark, used to say to me, "Charles, I see you as this giant that has to shrink down to fit in the space." For years, I have been learning how to stand up for myself, my values, and the community around me. Recently, I met with a friend who reminded me of all the ways I stood up for people in my community this year—asking for fair wages, explaining how "professionalism" is a tool of white supremacy, telling well-known wellness professionals to mind their tone with practitioners, and even telling CEOs of wellness companies that polo shirts are not the way to go. This year I learned how to stand up for myself and the community around me.
When you learn how to stand, people are not going to like it... stand up anyway. After years of working with a local healing space, this fall I made the decision to leave that studio. Through my experiences, I have seen the ways Black people can uphold white supremacy, even if it’s packaged differently. I have witnessed appalling behaviors, particularly in the ways staff were treated and a lack of true accountability, and I realized I needed to move to a different space in order to embody and invite the kind of healing I am here to create in the world.
My experiences have clarified even more the community I want to build with Every Table: one that is rooted in equity and accountability, and is actively healing from the ties white supremacy has on all of us. As we step into the new year, I can see a wellness work space that will be a hub for grassroots organizations and individuals working toward liberation. The Clearing will be both a yoga studio and a coworking space, where people can gather, practice, network, and build relationships with others focused on healing. Our vision for The Clearing supports practitioners by giving them ownership of their own content and allowing them to take home the profits from their classes, rather than everything going to uphold the space.
Looking ahead to 2025, I'll be teaching exclusively with Every Table, at Humble Heaven, and online at radicalyogi.com. All proceeds from the online yoga classes will go toward Every Table, specifically to support opening The Clearing. I am excited to put my full energy toward cultivating a wellness and yoga workspace that focuses on healing from the ways white supremacy and capitalism divide us, offering affinity groups and other programming where people can work through their indoctrination to whiteness.
To join us, come to one of the online offerings at radicalyogi.com.
Monday Morning Movement - 7:00 AM ET
A 45-minute session of gentle movements, breathwork, and meditation to energize your week
Tuesday Morning Power - 7:00 AM ET
An invigorating 45-minute power vinyasa class to start your day with energy
Tuesday Night Yoga Nidra - 9:00 PM ET
A journey into deep relaxation, promoting stress reduction and improved sleep
Wednesday Night Reset Yoga - 6:00 PM ET
A 45-minute gentle yoga session to help you unwind and reset your week
Thank you for your continued support of me and Every Table as we continue to build this community. We are excited for all that 2025 will hold, and look forward to the journey with you.
