The Teaching on When to Walk Away with Oneika Mays

Join host, Jivana Heyman, as he welcomes Oneika Mays, for an inspiring conversation about her forthcoming book, "Sit with Me : A No BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation," which details her transformative work at Rikers Island prison in New York City. Oneika shares her journey, the challenges of teaching mindfulness in a prison setting, and her practice and understanding of metta (loving-kindness).

Together, Jivana and Oneika discuss the importance of embodied wisdom, the role of storytelling in teaching, and the need for self-compassion and boundaries in service work. Oneika opens up about the vicarious trauma she experienced and how to recognize when to walk away from situations that no longer serve us.

The episode also features an exploration of how ancient teachings like Patanjali's Sutras relate to contemporary practice. Jivana and co-host, Deanna Michalopoulos, discuss the paradox of embracing the body fully before learning to release attachment to it, offering practical insights for teachers navigating yoga’s complex philosophies.

Topics Include:

• Processing trauma through writing
• The importance of supervision and support for service-oriented teachers
• Balancing service work with concerns about upholding oppressive systems
• Embodied wisdom and listening to your body's signals
• Cultivating a relationship with yourself through yoga and meditation
• Jivana’s upcoming free webinars and The Art of Teaching Chair Yoga Training, January 23 - February 24, 2026

Pre-Order Sit with Me : A No BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation
by visiting Oneika's website https://www.oneikamays.com

 

Join a free Accessible Yoga webinar!

Join the first session of The Art of Teaching Chair Yoga as a FREE course preview:
Friday January 23rd, 2026
10:30am PT | 1:30pm ET (75 mins) -- Register Here

Find Your Center Practice: Explore Balance in a Chair & On a Mat
Monday February 2nd, 2026
9am PT | 12pm ET | 5pm GMT -- Register Here

Building Balance in Accessible Yoga Workshop
Thursday February 19th, 2026
10am PT | 1pm ET | 6pm GMT -- Register Here

 

We Want to Hear from You!

What story, teaching, or practice inspires your yoga journey today? Submit your answer or any other questions you have for Jivana via Google Form: https://forms.gle/NtijeM82dSgU5jVD7 or leave a voice message here (90 second maximum): https://www.speakpipe.com/AccessibleYoga

Selected responses may be featured in future episodes!

 

Connect with Oneika:

Oneika Mays is a writer and facilitator who leads with joy, passion, and wisdom. As a Black, queer feminist, meditation teacher, and yoga instructor with nearly 15 years of teaching experience, she brings a poignant lens to building a more compassionate world.

Oneika’s gift is taking big ideas and teachings and weaving them with stories. She’s rooted in what she’s studied but teaches from her own experience. Oneika’s your teacher, your auntie, your friend - here for the work of personal and collective liberation. Her memoir Sit With Me (HarperOne, March 2026) delivers a no-BS journey to mindfulness that embraces the mess.

Grounded in Buddhist and yogic teachings, Oneika has taught at Rikers Island, Yoga International, and Embodied Philosophy. She believes joy is a revolution and getting closer to your heart is how we change the world.

IG @oneikamays | Substack @oneikamays  

 

Connect with Jivana:

Check out Jivana’s books, Accessible Yoga, Yoga Revolution, and The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga, and get more information about Accessible Yoga at accessibleyoga.org

www.jivanaheyman.com | @jivanaheyman | facebook.com/jivanaheyman

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

beYogi

Comprehensive insurance for yoga instructors and wellness practitioners. Get $20 off our annual yoga teacher insurance policy at beyogi.com/jivana.

OfferingTree

Simplify your yoga business with their all-in-one platform. Visit offeringtree.com/accessible-yoga to save 50% off your first 3 months on a monthly subscription or 15% off an annual subscription.

 

Credit: Mikus Dharma (they/them), AY Podcast Sound Engineer