Hey legends, I'm Shae
I am a Yoga Teacher, Spiritual Activist and Conscious Creativity Coach.
I can support you with tools and techniques so you can show up as your best self in service of the causes you care most about. I offer clear guidance for taking action. This is a spiritual bypassing free zone!
During my (almost) twenty years as a professional fundraiser and advocate, I worked with some of Australia's most-loved charities on many of the most recognisable awareness and fundraising campaigns. IÂ also held numerous voluntary ambassador roles and was honoured with awards both locally and internationally. My masters is in international development and I have lots of travel tales.
I used the think of activism and yoga as seperate. I saw my life as "before" vs "now." I "used to be" an activist; "now" I am a yoga teacher. But yoga and activism are not seperate. They are actually inextricably linked.Â
What is "Spiritual Activism"?
Activism is direct effort made to affect positive change. Perhaps it's about promoting a particular improvement in society; perhaps it's an attempt to stop harm or injustice. But what's it got to do with spirituality?
Yoga teaches us that everyone and everything is connected - and divine. The wisdom and practices that lead us to deeply remembering this connection result in lessening our own suffering. They also, necessarily, lead us towards lessening the suffering of others.Â
Spiritual activism centres this connection. It recognises that inner work and outer work necessarily go together. By anchoring activism in interconnection and collectivism, we uplift ourselves and others.
So, spiritual activism is informed by (and sustained with) our understanding that we all matter, we are all worthy, we are all the same.
It's an expression of love.
Is yoga political, though?
Yes! Everything is political.Â
You know, thousands of years ago Sage Patanjali systematised existing yoga wisdom into a format that could be memorised, shared orally and contemplated. Patanjali's 196 Yoga Sutras outline an eight limbed path to yoga (union with the divine). The compilation of this wisdom was a political action; it was activism. Patanjali took exclusive concepts and made the knowledge accessible to all, regardless of status or circumstance. Patanjali was radical.Â
Some people think they can "stay out of politics." Do you? If so, I truly believe you are well-intentioned, so I say this with love:Â
It is not possible to be "neutral." When you "opt out" of politics you are actually supporting the status quo. It's called passive agreement. To take no action is to support how things currently are. This is an uncomfortable truth that you may need to sit with, contemplating for a while.Â
Because we are being honest, I need to say that if you feel you can take a neutral stance towards politics, it is probably because you are privileged enough to be comfortable; comfortable enough to be largely unaffected by the many injustices inflicted on people, animals and the planet. Â
Ask yourself: what are my privileges? What am I in passive agreement with?Â
Reflect on that for a while and the truth will be revealed. Everything is political.
And then... the work begins.Â
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What is your role?Â
As a serious student or teacher of yoga, you have a role and your role is vital.
You know that connection is at the heart of yoga. The whole goal of the path of yoga is to connect with ourselves, to connect with "others," to connect with all that is. To deeply remember that we are not separate. That requires us to not only feel respect, love and reverence for all... but to act on it.
You are also uniquely positioned to regulate your own nervous system (so important in these challenging times) and you are able to support others with nervous system nourishment. It is not only your honour to be able to share this gift; it is your responsibility.Â
You are called forward here, to learn how to skillfully integrate spiritual activism into your life and into your work.Â
And I am here to support you on this adventure.
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An Introduction to Spiritual Activism and Yoga
In this introductory course, we go deep!Â
Recordings available now:
- Unshakable: We begin with the very definition of yoga and come to understand where yoga meets activism. Through a series of journalling prompts, we get clear on our core values and the causes that most light out fire. There are some tips for integrating activism into our sadhana (conscious spiritual practice) and our work.
- The Deepening Part One: In the Yoga Sutras, Sage Patanjali outlined ten abstentions and observances (known as the yamas and niyamas) that those on the path of yoga are to live by. We explore how each one relates to activism and informs our approach.Â
- The Deepening Part Two: We talk about connection with the divine, and how that leads to nervous system regulation and nourishment. This supports us to show up for the causes we care about effectively and consistently whilst seeking/maintaining personal balance. We also delve into conscious creativity as a means for nervous system nourishment and as a vehicle for our activism messages.
- The Deepening Part Three:Â We discuss dharma and individual expressions of activism. We contemplate strategy and tactics for effective and targeted campaigning and fundraising.
Each session goes for about an hour. Recordings are available right now.Â
An Introduction to Spiritual Activism and Yoga is everything you need if:
- You are a yoga teacher or student seeking to make a positive difference from a place of love and connection
- You want to support your students and your community during these troubled times, anchored in the wisdom and practices of yoga
- You love contemplating the depth of yoga as a path and a practice, and are looking for practical and empowering ways to implement these teachings into your life
- You wish to deepen your connection with your true self and your community (locally and globally!)
"This hit home big time. I've been so bogged down in being busy, angry, fighting the hard way. Today I sat and sketched and felt peace. And creativity. Tonight when I walked I felt present and connected. Better still, I felt okay. With me. With life. With the injustices I'm fighting. So Shae, thank you for shaking me. Making me take a backward step to be able to go forward."
Lesley YuillÂ
"That's what I love about your style - you never dumb it down and you pull people deep into Sanskrit teachings...while simultaneously making it accessible and relatable. You work in such a beautiful balance."
Brittany Van Heugten
"Brilliant. Made me remember to always integrate the Sutras, and the yamas and niyamas, into my teachings. Very informative."
Suzie Brazendale
"I had no idea what I would take away but I am feeling so spiritually awakened and comforted about how we really are all connected. Love your work Shae, you always pack a punch in all of your offerings."
Hoody Meaola
Frequently Asked Questions
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When can I start, and how long do I have access?
I am new to the idea of activism / I don’t consider myself an activist. Is this for me?
Do I need to have read yoga philosophy to understand the course?
I’m a Yoga Teacher, with this course help me?
I am not a Yoga Teacher. Can I still participate in this course?
An Introduction to Spiritual Activism and Yoga is the ideal course if you answer “yes” to any of the following:
- Do you want to embody the wisdom of yoga for the good of all?
- Are you keen to speak your truth, but worry about getting it “wrong”?Â
- Do you internalise some guilt, shame or doubt around the suffering you witness compared to the comparatively privileged life you lead?Â
- Do you want to support yourself and your students to face injustice and despair with love, hope and connection?
- Are you someone who is hungry for philosophical contemplation that is relevant and implementable?
- Would you like to feel part of a movement of yoga practitioners who are like-minded and courageously vulnerable?
- Do you want to learn about how connection to the divine leads us towards nervous system nourishment; towards spreading joy and reducing suffering?
... saying 'yes' to this course will enable you to imbed these teachings into your sadhana (conscious spiritual practice) and your work.Â
This is what I have been looking for!
Personal & professional development
A thorough and in-depth introduction to spiritual activism and yoga. Four live recordings are available right now.Â
Yoga Teachers! You will gain two CPD points for undertaking this course. The sessions apply both to your personal sadhana and to the classes you guide.
Budget friendly payment optionÂ
I believe in accessibility which is why I offer many resources for free.
It's also why I am giving you the option to pay for An Introduction to Spiritual Activism and Yoga with a payment plan $24.25 weekly for four weeks. I hope and trust this makes things a little easier on tight budgets.Â
I believe there should be no penalty or disincentive for paying things off over time, so these installments add up to $97 exactly. You pay the price of the course and no more!Â
Lokah samstah sukhino bhavantu
May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that same happiness and freedom for all.
