Today’s blog is to honour the life of my Ancestors; to acknowledge the lineage of teachers of yoga and meditation which informs my practice, and the commitment of my guides, mentors and teachers, for their support, guidance and training in my personal and professional growth.
I dedicate today’s post, The Line to you, mum, dad, my daughters, and all the souls who inspire my dreams, aspirations, and orientation to life.
I love you and thank you for your love, support, and guidance.
First, I thank the Creator for the gift of life, for the seen and unseen energies of peace, joy and love flowing through my heart, to the Ancestors who gave birth to the journey.
Thank you for showing us the way, and I pray for your continued guidance, support, and blessings.
To my precious parents, Victor and Cynthia Howell.
Thank you for offering me the gift of life, being by my side, and always doing your best for the family.
Massive hugs, kisses, and smiles for my beautiful daughters, Hasina, Maleka and Jameela.
Thank you, my princesses, for the love, joy, creativity and laughter you bring into the world.
You make grandma laugh out loud and granddad forgets about his back pain when you all dance.
A special message of love for Hope, my unborn child. I miss you, and I know you are safe, guiding us from afar.
To my seven generations past & present great grandparents, elder aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends, thank you for holding me close and sharing your wisdom and understanding of life; I stand on your shoulders.
Thank you for toiling the land so we can be here.
To my sacred, soulful Sistah- friends and kindred Brothers; the list is long.
You know who you are.
Thank you for your unwavering care, encouragement, and inspiration.
I appreciate all our early morning/late night chats, morning walks and random “I was thinking of you” messages we share.
Mega hugs to the following guides, mentors and teachers whose support, care and commitment to sharing their knowledge have helped me be here today.
Shola Arewa, my beloved first Yoga Teacher. I love you.
Thanks for the rays of light you bring into the world.
Through your gentle ways and healing spirits, I am returning home, and I’m at peace.
Your book, Opening to Spirit is a catalyst and opens the door too many. Thank you.
Jackee Holder, thank you for awakening my gift of writing and journaling.
I recall spending many happy hours curled up in bed, reading and filling out your healing journaling prompts in Soul Purpose.
Little did I know then where the journey would take me. The work continues. Thank you.
Shout out to Sistah Ombassa Sophera and Elder Emily. I wouldn’t be here without your love, laughter, and guidance.
R.I.P Elder Graham. Thank you for your wisdom and life of service.
Morag Campbell and Philip Young of Masterworks International, thank you for introducing me to the magic and wonder of Polarity Therapy. Dr Stone’s work lives through your teachings;
To the teachers and ashram community at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram, Kerala, India.
Thank you for being the container for my formal Yoga Teacher Training in 2004.
Tenderly, you sowed the seeds of growth and grounding for my yoga teaching training.
Thank you for welcoming me into the Ashram and space to learn the breadth of yoga and experience a traditional ashram life.
The early morning Satsangs set me up for the day and still form a core part in my daily spiritual practice.
Special appreciation to Dr Doshi; I know your soul has travelled on.
Thank you for reminding me constantly to show gratitude for the food I eat.
To Swami Saradananda, thank you for your profound teaching during the Meditation Teachers Training course.
I carry your blessings wherever I go.
For Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga Method (LVCY) and my LVCY teacher, Liz Oppedijk.
The senior students at my local community library Chair Yoga class LOVE the range of yoga poses and techniques I offer.
The British School of Meditation, thank you for extending my knowledge, teaching and understanding of meditation.
Shamash Alidina, I love your sense of playful humour during the Teach Mindfulness Course. Thank you.
Keep on sprinkling the world with your kindness, commitment to peace, and joy.
To Lucas Rockwood and the Team at YogaBody, thank you for re-igniting my passion for all thing’s breath related.
Your YogaBody Breathing Coach Training is superb
Showers of love to Sara Schairer and Burrell Poe. Taking part in your Compassion It Training
helps me tend to my heart and be kinder and more compassionate to myself, especially during Covid and beyond. Thank you.
Judy Cullins, book coach extraordinaire. You’re an angel, and I give thanks for your kind support, love and good humour in getting me on the road to writing and book publishing. Stay blessed, my dear.
Thank you, Warren Samu, webmaster. I love the way you always make sense of and create magic out of my last-minute ideas and rough notes. You are a rock. Thank you.
To the Team at SmartBlogger. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Your support and dedication to helping students improve their writing — outstanding.
Thank you.
And to all the YouTubers, podcasters and bloggers out there, showing up, sharing your message and vision and helping me heal, grow and flourish. Your work is priceless. Thank you. I know it aint easy. Keep on showing up.
Kristen Ann McCarthy, thank you for affirming my desire to teach Yoga Nidra Meditation; your course Journey into Wisdom took me on a personal and global healing journey.
Kelly Diels, you rock. Seriously, I can’t express how much your work impacts how I feel about showing up, finding and naming my Spot On The Wall to bring more love & justice into our world. Thank you.
And thank you, Kelly, for the framework, structure and inspiration to share my work, especially this Lineage and Acknowledgements blog post.
Tender care and hugs to the facilitators and co-founders of the Radical Darshan 300-hours Advanced Yoga Teachers course (June 2021 – February 2022 Cohort).
Jonelle Lewis, Kallie Schut, Leila Sadeghee, Stacie CC Graham and support team.
You give us soooo much. A 1000 thank yous.
I am in awe of the vastness of your expertise and way of modelling how to centre social justice, anti-racist practices, and collective care within yoga and lead with grace.
I bow to you and pray for guidance to share the teachings, principles, and lessons you openly teach and embrace to cultivate more inclusive, equitable, and kinder spaces for everybody.
And lastly, thank you, Dear Friend, for showing up, listening to your inner heartbeat and blessing the world with your presence.
May the fruits of our practice heal ourselves, our families, and our community, and bless our world with truth, kindness, care, beauty and joy.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,
Om Peace. Peace. Peace.
Ntathu & guides xxx
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