Episode # 75: Radical Self Acceptance and Authentic Empowerment with Melanie Klein

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In this episode I sit down with Melanie Klein C. Klein a sought after empowerment coach and respected thought leader in the areas of radical self-acceptance, authentic empowerment, and supercharged confidence.   Her acknowledged expertise has enabled her to write, edit, or contribute to nine books in whole or in part on these topics, including the groundbreaking and award-winning anthology, Yoga & Body image.   The latest in her body of work, Embodied Resilience through Yoga, was published in September 2020. 

In this episode we break down: 

  • Melanie’s journey and background into Yoga starting in 1996

  • The importance of being Clear in your knowing

  • Having an embodied experience of the Yoga and the desire to share the practices with others

  • Transition into speaking/ Academics and also incorporating the practices of yoga

  • Melanie’s advocacy work and her calling which led her to follow her light.

  • The importance of Tending to the spark and light inside of you

  • The practice of stillness and how it can help tend to the spark

  • Intersection of yoga and social justice

  • Having courage and fortitude to listen to ourselves even when others encourage a different direction.

  • Breaking down the Inauthenticity of how yoga has been displayed through marketing images

  • Melanie’s dedication and inner calling to be a part of Social Advocacy work and her mission of “Individual transformation for collective liberation”

  • Asking the question of What can we offer the collective?

  • Power in owning your YES completely

  • Implementing Collaboration and Community not just talking about it.

  • Not operating from a deficiency model and breaking down the power over model

  • Owning that we can both serve and receive

  • The Importance of having a bigger vision and purpose without taking yourself out the equation

  • Striking your own balance and trusting generosity will come back

Based on over two decades of professional and personal work, Melanie integrates her backgrounds in mindfulness and embodied wisdom with her academic expertise and advocacy work. In this way, she offers her 1:1 coaching clients a holistic and unique pathway to personal freedom and prosperity, one that is customized and designed to each individual.

References and Links: 

Yoga + Body Image: 25 Personal Stories About Beauty, Bravery and Loving Your Body: http://www.yogaandbodyimage.org/

Yoga Rising: 30 Empowering Stories from Yoga Renegades for Every Body: http://www.yogarisingbook.com/

*Both the websites above include a free downloadable discussion guide.

Yoga, the Body and Embodies Social Change: An Intersectional Feminist Analysis : https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498528030/Yoga-the-Body-and-Embodied-Social-Change-An-Intersectional-Feminist-Analysis

Embodied Resilience Through Yoga: 30 Mindful Essays About Finding Empowerment After Addiction, Trauma, Grief and Loss https://www.politics-prose.com/book/9780738762494

Personal Website: http://www.melaniecklein.com/

Instagram: @melmelklein   

Amanda Strojny