“A Black Woman’s body was never hers alone.” —Fannie Lou Hammer

Today’s topic: Getting Out of Your Own Way: Reclaiming Our Bodies —the concluding show of our Spirit, Mind, and Body month. Lilada is joined by Myosha Barnes, Joanna Brooks, and Sagashus Livingston, to discuss physical reclamation and the societal aspects. 

Myosha Barnes, known as Yoshi, graduated with her degree in Criminology and Law Enforcement at San Jose State University & Missouri Southern and studied for her masters in Sport management and business education from North Central University. In May of 2010 she became a certified personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach through International Sport Science Association and is continuing to gain more knowledge about fitness and exercise therapy. Now she is a part of Athlete Performance and works with multiple student athletes from all sports, college athletes and professional basketball players.

Joanna Brooks is the owner of Embody YOGA. She first developed an interest in yoga as a teenager. Over the years, she experimented with various forms of physical fitness and dance before returning to yoga. Her personal practice includes Bikram Yoga, Hot Vinyasa Flow, Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Yin Yoga. She enjoys working with people of all races and ages. Her intention is for her students to find a sense of belonging in the yoga community and to leave each class with a quiet sense of strength and peace.​

Sagashus Livingston is a frequent guest of the show. Born and raised in South Chicago, she is the mother of six and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s the founder of Infamous Mothers. She’s used her experience as a Black woman and a mother to drive her passion for changing the narrative of the Black Mother as well as giving a voice to a group of women who continues to be silenced.