Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Steph Lindsey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Steph, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Short answer, I found my purpose through rest and stillness.
What I have found about purpose, mine in particular, is that it is a bunch of small moments and ideas that ultimately come together for a greater good. I spent much of my early life compartmentalizing my life…creativity was one section, teaching was another, spirituality another and so on and so on…I kept them separate because I didn’t understand how they all could and do work together. While I have always known what I wanted to do in my life, getting there has been fraught with doubt and uncertainty. I remember in 2019 constantly asking for space and time in my meditations and prayers, mainly because I was feeling stuck. Then the pandemic hit, and as unnerving and uncertain everything was at that time, I saw the lockdown as getting the space and time I was asking for to get clear on my purpose. I spent the next year discovering myself again. Connecting to friends I had lost touch with, enrolled in multiple trainings and really took that time to work on knowing myself, healing myself and imagining what I really wanted in my life from dreams past or dreams deferred.
What I learned through that deep self work was I had outgrown my current life. I was trying to fit into a life that wasn’t serving me any longer. That is a scary thing to face and because of prioritizing my self study or Svādhyāya I was able to see my fear as a guide or teacher, that was bringing up questions for me to ultimately walk toward my purpose. I began to see in teachers and practitioners I was studying how to bring my compartmentalized self back together and live more authentically and fully than before. I began to see the strength in what I thought were weaknesses and I began to trust that I could not only put all the compartmentalized parts together again, but that. In doing so, living out my purpose would become easier.
Purpose for me was found in stillness and in rest. In restorative yoga, meditation or my Nidra practice clarity came to me revealing what my next steps should be and when to act on them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My purpose is Black Unicorn Collective. Black Unicorn Collective is designed to be that space, where you can lay your burdens down and truly begin your wellness journey. We are intentionally centering the wellness of Black, Indigenous People of the Global Majority, while welcoming ALL. Black Unicorn Collective is rooted in a yoga practice that can create spaces of sanctuary and community, which are vital to honoring our mind, body and spirit. We are rooted in a yoga practice that is centered in social justice and equity that honors the indigenous origins and roots of yoga. We are rooted in a yoga practice that is inclusive and safe for ALL participants. Audre Lorde wrote in The Black Unicorn Poems, about existing in a world between, emphasizing the idea of intersectionality especially from the view of a woman. A black unicorn represents strength and power, they can overcome barriers and create the life they want to live. That is the foundation of Black Unicorn Collective.
Indu Arora has said, “Yoga is not a feel good practice, it is a face the truth practice” that is the energy of Black Unicorns and is what I bring to each offering from Black Unicorn Collective. I am honored to share a yoga practice that celebrates our own unique experience in our bodies, honoring the truth of our lives, and celebrates the magic of being our uniquely human selves!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1) Svādhyāya – Self Study
2) Stillness
3) Curiosity
I start with Svādhyāya or Self Study because for me it has been the most impactful. I was lucky enough to grow up in a household that celebrated knowing yourself, so self study, reflecting on why I do what I do, where I can get better and what may be a hindrance to my growth was ALWAYS encouraged so it has been something of a no-brainer for me. I also recognize that’s not everyone’s experience. Self study has only increased the more in-depth I go into my study of yogas 8 limbs. When I am clear on why I do what I do, I am able to see with clarity how to make changes. Self study also takes practice because we all have egos and when egos are left unchecked they can sometimes create havoc instead of ease. I know for a fact my ego will never go away AND I also know it doesn’t need to be the driver of my life, in fact for me, my ego needs to be in the back seat or even that third row seat way in the back…lol. When my ego isn’t driving my life, I can see the patterns of humanness more clearly and I can seek out situations that support my continual growth
Stillness. My mom had a stillness practice, that I’ve only begun to recognize as such after her passing. I can look back and remember when I was stressed or worried about something, She would advise me to get still, giving me an accompanying bible verse, “Be still and know…” Truth be told I didn’t understand stillness when she offered it to me in my younger years, but now I understand it. Dedicating a year to self study and rest is how my stillness practice emerged. Upon completing my 300Hr YTT (yoga teacher training), I immersed myself into a devoted Rest practice that was then followed by a Yoga Nidra training. In those trainings I discovered what many people, including my mom, knew … stillness is the most productive thing you can do, especially when seeking. I’ve learned how to be in stillness, I’ve learned how to guide myself through liminality or the space between, and I can recognize the power of resting in that space. While my mother was my first Stillness teacher, my other teachers have been Octavia Raheem, Tracee Stanley, Chanti Tarcoronte-Perez, Dr. Gail Parker, Tricia Hersey and so many others through their writings, teachings and trainings.
Lastly, Curiosity. This comes from my creative side. Get curious about yourself, your surroundings, others and their experiences. The more I learn about others the more I learn about myself. The more I question the more answers I find. I spent so much of my life being afraid to get things wrong, that often I wouldn’t even begin or try. Now I’ve reverted back to child-like curiosity. I wonder about a lot of things and then I give myself space to just be a student. Yoga has really helped me here, in that I know I’m never going to know everything about yoga, but I can keep learning. If I can keep learning in yoga, that means I can absolutely keep learning through every aspect of my life. I have found when I make space for my curiosity, I’m less attached to outcomes and enjoy the journey of discovery however it shows up.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I truly believe this book finds you when you are ready for it. It found me at 26 fresh out of grad school questioning everything in my life. The very rudimentary theme of this book is that spiritual truth can shift because of external forces and expectations from others and through persistence, wisdom can be obtained through observation and awareness. I feel like this book has been my personal roadmap through life and is a book I will forever refer to and re-read again and again.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theblackunicorncollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackunicorncollective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackunicorncollectiveyoga
- Other: TikTok – @BlackUnicornCollective
Image Credits
Ellie Lindsey Art (illustrated image)
