Where The Lotus Grows

Toxic positivity can be hard not to encounter and sometimes we're all guilty of urging others and even ourselves to "look on the bright side" instead of sitting with discomfort.  At what point do "positive vibe" platitudes become toxic and how can we avoid falling into the toxic positivity trap? Kim and Tonya have a few ideas. 

Last time we caught up with Kim, she had great news -  as her scans were all clear, BUT the next part of her journey had just begun.  In todays episode, the ladies discuss Kim's upcoming surgery as a preventative measure and the new drug therapy regime that they're asking her to take.  Spoiler - the list of pros and cons are lengthy and uncover a lot of discussion about being your own best advocate. Enjoy! 

Since her cancer diagnosis, Kim has learned a lot more about the medical marijuana industry and the use of cannabis in cancer care.  The ladies dive deep into all of the new things she's learned from working with cannabis coaches and nurses specializing in the field, and Tonya shares her recent experience touring a Colorado growing facility. 

In the light of the SCOTUS  decision over turning Roe V. Wade, the WTLG  wanted to turn our  grief into something that is (hopefully)  constructive for the couragitarians.  It was certainly cathartic for us. This episode contains fun facts about the progress women have made in the last 50 years,  personal abortion stories, facts, statistics and above all support for the RADICAL notion that women, as humans,  have the right to full body autonomy.  

Warning: this episode discusses sexual assault, abusive relationships, traumatic experiences, and sex 

Kim shares the good news and LOTS of thoughts about what happens next and how the health care system could be improved.  A vital episode if you've been following Kim's Journey - Enjoy!

We are so excited to share our conversation with Dr. Gail Parker! 

Gail Parker, Ph.D. CIAYT, E-RYT 500 is an author, psychologist, educator, certified yoga therapist and a lifelong practitioner of yoga. She became president of the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance (BYTA) Board of Directors in 2020. Dr. Parker is well known for her pioneering efforts to blend psychology, yoga, and meditation as effective self-care strategies that can enhance emotional balance, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of practitioners.

Dr. Parker has appeared as a psychologist expert on local and nationally 

syndicated talk shows, including numerous appearances on the Oprah Show.

Her first book, Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma, offers self-care strategies and invites everyone, not just those directly impacted, to explore the intersection of yoga, race and ethnicity, and to consider the psychological impact of race-based stress and trauma on all of us. The companion book, Transforming Ethnic and Race-Based Traumatic Stress With Yoga invites us to reimagine and engage in healing strategies for ethnic and racial stress and trauma that lead to post traumatic growth. 

The ladies discuss the idea of achieving "perfect heath," the marketing and capitalizing of health and wellness as an industry, and the dangers of health and wellness myths and stereotypes. They further discuss what ideal health now means to them in light of ongoing health issues. 

Kim shares her experience starting physical therapy, the pros and cons of being on the flip side of movement education, and the value of difficult teachers. 

Tonya and Kim talk about the practice of intentional grounding, why it should be a part of your  regular self care routine and how, once practiced regularly, it can become a powerful tool in a variety of situations.  Bonus: Kim shares an Intentional Grounding Meditation on social media and on our Patreon.  

Let's fact it, stressful situations are a regular part of our day to day lives, and often the choices that we make regarding our own physical and mental health maintenance determine our overall state.  What happens when we experience additional prolonged stressful situations such as a medical diagnosis, the care of a sick family member, that throw a wrench in our usual stress-management routine?  Today the ladies talk about the difficulty of maintaining a healthy routine when facing additional stressors and how to work in healthy practices when we're hit with stressful situations that could throw us off track.  

Kim walks us through the remainder of her radiation journey and while excited to be done with that intense and painful process, discovers there is still so much more in store for post radiation treatment.  Additionally, she is confronted with having to piece together her own aftercare teams to maintain a solid prevention/early detection plan to stay on top of her genetic mutation.  

Today the ladies discuss the process of aging, both from their personal experience in embracing getting older, to caring for our elderly and how to get the most out of life as you age. 

Kim describes her radiation experience, the mindfulness and breathing tools she employs during her sessions and how her awareness and interception is received by the nurses and technicians in the radiology department.  She also shares with Tonya how incredibly venerable the process is and how the after care has her building a new relationship with her changing/healing body.  

As we've followed Kim on her Cancer Journey, self-care has come up more than ever. Today the ladies discuss cooking as a form of self-care and nourishment for the body, the mind, and the soul. 

 Kim shares her experience preparing for radiation and all the fancy and not so fancy tech and devices related to this next phase of treatment.  The process is highly venerable and the ladies discuss ways in which the medical community could be more mindful and trauma informed as treatment providers. 
Warning: This episode briefly discusses sexual assault.

Post chemo, pre radiation, Kim went in for a prosthesis fitting.  While there is still a lot to get used to in her new body, Kim's main concern after this experience is how mastectomy prosthesis and accessories should be more comfortable AND more physically appealing. Perhaps a new business venture is in the works for our ladies?

Today, the ladies discuss the importance of rest and prioritizing real quiet time for yourself regularly.  Rest is healing, revitalizing and a necessity in times when burnout seems inevitable. We hope you enjoy! 

Kim shares how healing from her double mastectomy has impacted her everyday life.  Learning to appreciate the simple things, take things slowly, and maintain a steady pace forward has been challenging but so rewarding.  She also shares the next steps she anticipates in her continued treatment. 

Circling back to our series getting to know Tonya, today's episode continues with the home birth of her daughter.  Very different than the hospital birth and subsequent neonatal needs required during her first birth, birth two was a husband and wife DIY under the guidance of a a certified midwife.  We hope you enjoy! 

Who could have predicted that 2021 would throw us more curve balls than 2020? In today's episode the ladies reflect on the previous year and discuss how it might define 2022.  As always, a few words were selected as gentle guides easing into the new year.  Gratitude is number one for both, with Kim adding connection, love and miracles -  Tonya connecting with peace, surrender, and joy.  We encourage you, if you haven't already, to choose a few words to connect with and guide you into 2022.