Surprise, surprise, it's another yogi goddess featured on IGYB today. They're just all so awesome. I met Casey years ago through Zuda yoga. She took my class a long time ago and commented on how she liked my music and I was like, I like you! Seriously, anyone who connects with me over my music choices for the classes I teach...instant friends.

What is a recent book or article that you’ve read that has challenged your thinking, inspired you, or changed you?

I have been reading, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. It’s an approach to physically tidying up. Her theory is that everything you own should bring good energy into your residence, and that it should bring you joy. So you’re required in this process to sort of overhaul your whole situation. If it doesn’t bring you joy when you physically touch it, you discard it. So you start with things like clothes-things that aren’t going to be super difficult. And then you eventually make your way to the sentimental things. It’s very eye opening.

Who is an influencer in your life?

There are so many good ones! Most recently, though, it’s been Laura Francis. I work at Zuda Yoga on Saturday afternoons, and Laura has taught the Saturday 4:30p class for a long time. One day, if my teaching and my presence can get to the point of not having to raise my voice, or physically touch a single person, or really do anything to hold power and space in a room, that will be an indicator of success for me. And Laura Francis does all of those things. She is just real. There were times when she would come into the studio and say, “I’m angry. And I need to talk about this thing that’s going on in my life.” She makes it ok to talk about real emotions and real life.

What does feminism mean to you?

My idea of feminism now is so different than what I used to think of it as. I used to think it meant you hate men, but at the same time you try to be like a man. But feminism is not that.

To me, feminism is about being not only grateful to be female, but also not being afraid to show your femininity to other people. I think so much of our female existence is spent muting our feminine qualities and holding back.

And it’s not only about women. Feminism is this inclusive thing that is about embracing equality and justice for every living person.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that you try to live your life by?

There’s something I read in The Yamas and Niyamas, by Deborah Adele, that has stuck with me since teacher training at Zuda. Adele is speaking to attachment, and she says anything we cling to will create a maintenance problem for us, and that attachments ruin our day when they aren’t fulfilled. Most pointedly, Adele says, “Like a trapeze artist, are we willing to be suspended in mid air, in total trust of the timing, and of a future that is greater than the one we are holding onto.”

What are you most passionate about?

My personal mission is to connect. I believe that at the end of the day, that’s what this whole journey is about-to connect. I’m most passionate about language and communication. I feel like the breakdown in communication is where every problem in our world comes from. I want to learn how to use language to connect, rather than divide. That’s what drew me to linguistics and anthropology.

How are you an agent for communication and connection?

My main contribution to language is that I’ll continue to encourage those in my life to learn and grow. I want to make sure people know it’s not ok to ostracize or marginalize someone else because of their life experience and their language skills.

Finish this sentence: I am _______________.

I am powerful.

Casey's got your back.

xxo