2.04 Living On Purpose
Shakira practices a natural dance called Rhythmic Bloom to recreate what it means to flow through her life’s journey. During her undergraduate studies, she awakened to the systemic rules of wellness, boosting her interest in alternative healing methods that support the whole person. The catalyst to her embodiment of wellness sparked during her training to become a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist in 2011. Her bodywork practice focuses on moving through the deep, underwater currents of growth to extend the practice of music for musicians and artists.
Shakira continues the rhythmic journey of interweaving social justice and wellness practices as she explores her presence in mixed-race wellness spaces. She and other passionate change-makers are building a Worker Cooperative that supports shared values of whole-body healing, uplifting the voices of their community, and to recreate the meaning of wellness through an anti-oppression and anti-racism lens.
An evolving, passion project of hers invites singles to welcome a spirit-partnered relationship and live on purpose, which is counter to stigmatizing, dominant culture. Her e-guide, written under the pen name Coko Bonique, "You Know You're Dope, Right? Foundational Practices to Living Single," liberates individuals to tap into their natural rhythm and authentic essence to deepen the relationship to self and live with confidence and intention.
In her free time, she loves the magic of fireside chats, spending time with loved ones, uplifting dance music and aerial dance as they all bring liberation and freedom to the mundane. Shakira earned her B.A. in psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill and trained with the Skill in Action program, completing her 500HR Yoga Teacher Training. Her yoga classes are deeply rooted to support inner well-being and create communities that value trust and compassion to work together to create a new system that rebels dominant culture.
In this interview we discuss:
Being a Yoga Messenger
Abundance
Shakira’s Journal - You Know You’re Dope, Right?
Conscious Singledom
Caretaking
Changing Thought Patterns
Embodiment
Healing Ourselves
Social Justice
Death
Sharing our Grief with Others
Grief and Loss
Embracing our Uniqueness
Self-Care/Collective Care
Purchase Shakira’s workbook You Know You’re Dope, Right?
Connect with Shakira via her website or on Instagram @uplyftyoursoul
Podcast music by Charles Kurtz