We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kali Basman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kali, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was your school or training experience like? Share an anecdote or two that you feel illustrate important aspects or the overall nature of your schooling/training experience.
In a world that is constantly defined by its state of production and progress, the art of learning and teaching Mindfulness, Yin & Restorative Yoga – foundational practices in slowing down and turning inwards, is essential. These modalities have become not just a potent gift to guard and revere in one’s own spiritual pursuits, it’s become a necessity to share with our global family.
Whether practitioners, facilitators, space holders, empaths or healers, it has become our obligation to cultivate the tools of inner methodology that will support the collective consciousness as humans learn a new way of moving through this world. We are as a species constantly evolving, and now is a pivotal stage in our development to refine our neurological, emotional, psychological, social and physiological states to better encompass a world shared in greater serenity. This means building our own inner practices, and offering these insights to our students and spiritual tribes; how to uncover that which is hidden within. That’s why our Yin Yoga teacher trainings are built around decoding the language of the subtle body, and empowering each practitioner to tune in to the inner rhythms of their wisdom bodies.
Kali, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Internationally celebrated Dharma teacher of teachers, Kali Basman, intermingles Buddhist Psychology & Internal Family Systems Therapy into the living discipline of Yin Yoga
Kali’s work intermingles the outer constructs of anatomy & Traditional Chinese Medicine with the inner methods of mind training and trauma healing. She is certified and celebrated in her work with Internal Family Systems Therapy. Outside of practice life, Kali holds an MPH in Environmental Public Health and serves as a Project Director for the United Nations Association Global Health Initiative on the Africa Affairs Committee. She has been working with the UN as a Global Health consultant for over 5 years.
Kali Basman is a Conscious Dying Coach and Sacred Passage Doula.
reverence – Kali pays reverent homage to the lineage of her primary teacher, Sarah Powers of Insight Yoga Institute and Richard Schwartz of the Internal Family Systems Institute. As well her gratitude extends to an outer mandala of other major influencers she’s studied with on the path: Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron, Judith Hanson Lasater, Paul Grilley, Francis Weller and more, contributing to her integration of Buddhist Philosophy & the Dharma, Yin & Restorative Yoga, Grief Work, & more.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Consistent practice life of my own, means I meditate & move daily, I seek support from my ‘earth angels’ weekly (whether it’s deep friendships, massage therapy, coaches and therapists, or a loving discourse with family), and I take retreat monthly (required for a spiritual life that necessitates deep inquiry, reflective time, and stepping out of the mundane/productivity oriented world to go silent).
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Yin & Asana
Insight Yoga, Sarah Powers
The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness, Erich Schiffmann
The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga, Bernie Clark
Hara- The Vital Center of Man, Karlfried Graf Durckheim
Depth Psychology & Internal Family Systems
Neurodharma, Rick Hansen
Introduction to Internal Family Systems Model, Richard Schwartz
Greater than the Sum of our Parts, Richard Schwartz
Wise Speech & Nonviolent Communication
Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication, Oren Jay Sofer
Wise Speech and Buddhist Practice, Gregory Kramer
Insight Dialogue: The Interpersonal Path to Freedom, Thich Nhat Hanh
The Art of Communicating, Donald Rothberg
Nonviolent Communication, Miki Kashtan
Spinning Threads of Radical Aliveness, Lucy Leu
Awakening to Dharma: Insights on Buddhist Practice
Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong, Norman Fischer
The Four Immeasurables: Practices To Open The Heart, Alan Wallace
Fusion of the Five Elements – Meditations for Transforming Negative Emotions, Mantak Chia
Anatomy of Trauma
The Wild Edge of Sorrow, Francis Weller
The Trauma of Everyday Life, Mark Epstein
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, Gabor Mate
Trauma, Somatics and the Body,Thomas Hannah
Somatics, Peter Levine
Waking the Tiger, Peter Levine
In an Unspoken Voice, Peter Levine
A Little Book on the Human Shadow, Robert Bly
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies, Resmaa Menakem
No Mud, No Lotus, Thich Nhat Hanh
Swamplands of the Soul: New Life in Dismal Places, James Hollis
Wounds into Blessings: How Healing Touch Evokes The Spirit for a Passionate Life, Dr. Fred Mitouer
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kalidurgayoga.com
- Instagram: kali_durga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kalidurgayinyoga
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_RDQGYB6ddM5lhIJrJ_Pw
Image Credits
lauren oneill