Accessible Yoga Podcast

The Teaching of the Heart with Michelle Cassandra Johnson


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Join host, Jivana Heyman, and guest, Michelle Cassandra Johnson, for a rich and insightful conversation about community, collective care, and the creative process. Together, Jivana and Michelle explore the evolving role of the yoga teacher, the importance of being grounded in humility and service, and how we can use yoga as a path to truth and connection.

As an accomplished author, educator, and activist, Michelle offers insight into her books, including her first book, Skill in Action, and her sixth and newly released book, The Wisdom of the Hive, which draws inspiration from honeybees and their interconnectedness. Michelle also offers a glimpse into her upcoming book, which focuses on protection practices, and how it ties into her ongoing work.

In the second part of the episode, Jivana and cohost, Deanna Michalopoulos, reflect on the conversation between Michelle and Jivana and Michelle’s impact on the yoga world. They reinforce the importance of community and what it means to practice non-attachment as a yoga teacher while remaining true to yourself.

Topics Covered:

  • Michelle’s books, including Skill in Action, Illuminating Our True Nature, and her newly released book, The Wisdom of the Hive: What Honeybees Can Teach Us about Collective Wellbeing
  • The experience of writing a book and discovering one’s personal writing style
  • Mindful leadership as yoga teachers
  • The risks of ego and power
  • A teaching from Lama Rod Owens
  • Heart centered teaching
  •  

    Check out:

    The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga Podcast Interview with Michelle

    Virtual Author Event - July 9th: The Wisdom of the Hive with Michelle C. Johnson on the Good Grief Network

    The Wisdom of the Hive Book Club

    More events with Michelle: https://www.michellecjohnson.com/events

     

    We Want to Hear from You!

    What story, teaching, or practice inspires your yoga journey today? Submit your answer or any other questions you have for Jivana via Google Form: https://forms.gle/NtijeM82dSgU5jVD7 or leave a voice message here (90 second maximum): https://www.speakpipe.com/AccessibleYoga

    Selected responses may be featured in future episodes!

     

    Connect with Michelle:

    Michelle Cassandra Johnson is an author, activist, spiritual teacher, racial equity consultant and educator, and intuitive and shamanic healer. She approaches her life and work from a place of knowing we are, can, and must heal individually and collectively. Michelle facilitates workshops and immersions, leads retreats and transformative experiences nationwide, and offers an array of healing services for individuals and groups. For over 25 years as a racial equity educator, she has worked with large corporations, non-profits, and community groups. Michelle is a five-time published author, and in May 2025, her sixth book, The Wisdom of the Hive, published by Sounds True and co-written with her best friend, Amy Burtaine, was released.

    Michelle was a TEDx speaker at Wake Forest University in 2019 and has been interviewed on several podcasts in which she explores the premise and foundation of Skill in Action, along with embodied approaches to racial equity work, creating ritual in justice spaces, our divine connection with nature and Spirit, and how we as a culture can heal.

    Michelle leads courageously from the heart with compassion and a commitment to address the heartbreak dominant culture causes for many because of the harm it creates. She inspires change that allows people to stand in their humanity and wholeness in a world that fragments most of us. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, sweet dog, Jasper, and her honeybees.

    www.michellecjohnson.com/ | @skillinaction | facebook.com/skillinaction

     

    Connect with Jivana:

    Check out Jivana’s books, Accessible Yoga, Yoga Revolution, and The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga, and get more information about Accessible Yoga at accessibleyoga.org

    www.jivanaheyman.com | @jivanaheyman | facebook.com/jivanaheyman

     

    Thank You to Our Sponsors!

    OfferingTree

    Simplify your yoga business with their all-in-one platform. Visit offeringtree.com/accessible-yoga to save 50% off your first 3 months on a monthly subscription or 15% off an annual subscription.

    **Join one of their upcoming free webinars! 

    Replay available: June 27th at 9am PT, Text to Connect: SMS Strategies for Studio Growth with Chris Appiah

    July 16th at 9am PT, Why You’re Not Selling Out Your Classes…& What To Do About It! with Barry Kostabi

    beYogi

    Comprehensive insurance for yoga instructors and wellness practitioners. Get $20 off our annual yoga teacher insurance policy at beyogi.com/jivana.

     

    Credit: Mikus Dharma (they/them), AY Podcast Sound Engineer

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    Accessible Yoga PodcastBy Jivana Heyman

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