What if setting a simple intention could transform your life? In this powerful episode, Gwendolyn Mitchell sits down with Astrid Richardson-Ashley, a licensed clinical social worker and Reiki practitioner, to explore the profound impact of intention and sacred space in healing and personal growth. Together, they delve into how the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies workshops create safe, transformative environments for Black women to heal, connect, and align their minds, bodies, and spirits. From the introduction of the Soma process, an ancient ritual that brings peace and joy, to the importance of resilience, conscious awareness, and community, this episode is filled with inspiring insights into how spirituality and intentionality can lead to profound change. Tune in today to find out how you can bring these healing practices into your own life!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Astrid came to be part of the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies Project.

• The power of intention-setting as a catalyst for personal growth and healing.

• A ritualistic formula for setting intentions that unites mind, body, and spirit.

• Why it’s important to create a safe, sacred, grounded space to facilitate openness.

• Astrid’s favorite aspects of the workshops, namely the relationships.

• Acknowledging the courage and resilience of women throughout their healing journeys.

• An introduction to the Soma process and how it promotes joy and peace.

• Beautiful quotes from workshop participants about their transformative experiences.

• Astrid’s profound personal experiences as a result of the Soma ritual.

• How mentioning balance between mind, body, and spirit can enhance feelings of bliss.

• Insight into the Conscious Black Beauty Movement and its inclusion in the workshop.

• The unique integration of spiritual practices that fosters collaborative healing.

• Aspirations for the future of the Love Letters 2 Our Bodies project.

Quotes:

“We have a role in our consciousness and the thoughts that we put out there. The intentions that we set can change our lives. That has been my experience.” — Astrid Richardson-Ashley [0:06:43]

“We’re holding sacred space. You can feel it. It’s palpable – The women who [participate in these workshops] come back and they say, ‘Something happened here. I can feel it.’” — Astrid Richardson-Ashley [0:14:47]

“Intention has made a huge change in how my life has grown and evolved. I [now see] prayer as such. This is part of me co-creating with the universe, with the divine, to create the life that I want to have.” — Astrid Richardson-Ashley [0:32:44]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Love Letters to Our Bodies Project

Astrid Richardson-Ashley on LinkedIn

California Black Health Network

Conscious Black Beauty Movement (CBBM)

Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc

Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
instagram.com/moyoinstitute