Presence is Key with Rahnee Haskins | Vinyasa in Verse Podcast Episode 66

“I have to be realistic in the way things are presented and how things are going to be seen” - Rahnee Haskins

In this special episode of Vinyasa in Verse, I have the amazing Rahnee Haskins. He began practicing yoga in 2015 after a work injury that did not allow him to participate in his favorite physical hobbies such as running, hiking, and biking.  Before practicing yoga, Rahnee practiced meditation and mindfulness using this to balance work life, home, and graduate school. Rahnee is a humble gentle giant with a big heart.  When in his presence, he makes you feel calm and safe. He is a true humanitarian helping and showing compassion to those in need when he can because he loves all beings big, small, and in between.

In this episode, he made a distinction between different identities or roles that he might play within the community, family, neighborhood, etc. This brought up a discussion about identity. // He said that all the hats he wears are part of his whole being - the interconnectedness of being a father, a husband, a counselor, and even as a yoga teacher. // He also talked about what it was like growing up, not really aware of being “different” as a Black man. Using the example of a recent job search, he talked about what it means to be Black and how to navigate the world in this way. // We also discussed how yoga as a whole way of BEing (not just the asana practice) has helped both of us as people of color living in a racist society. // You can find Rahnee teaching yoga at Onyx Yoga Studio in Warren, NJ, and online! Check out the link below. // Follow me on Instagram for Maverick Mondays, Free Verse Fridays, and some real talk about healing AND play: @leslieannhobayan//

Today’s poems/ Books mentioned:

• “Imagination does not exist” by Hafiz
  
• “There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.” - Denis Diderot
  

Links Mentioned:

Rahnee Haskins Website: https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/fitness/instructors/rahnee-haskins