Crystal Love’s Reflections on Native Heritage Month

Crystal Love is a holistic fitness guide on Wanderlust TV and she has developed a series of courses honoring the month of Native American Heritage on WLTV called "Sacred Flow". You can also practice some of their other signature offerings on Wanderlust TV such as "Core & Soar", "Quick FIIT" and "Purifying Barre & Core".

Navigate through the personal feedback of Native Heritage Month

The truth hurts sometimes. And without it there is only illusion. The truth is that the indigenous people are still walking the earth. The illusion is that the aborigines have been defeated. The illusion is that our culture is a costume and that our country and our women are take-away with no repercussions or reciprocity. The truth is that we have survived traumatic change and are smarter and stronger because of it. The truth is that we are survivors. The truth is that we are still a viable culture. The illusion is that we are part of the past; to study something, to measure, to dissect and finally to judge. I still have a viable heartbeat with traditions, rituals, morals and values ​​that have passed the toughest tests. We all have our truths: some are easier to accept than others.

For me personally, November is a month to honor, reflect and advance my medicine as an indigenous woman, healer and educator. It is also adoption awareness month and birthday month for my birth mother, birth uncle, and birth grandmother. You can find out more about my adoption vote and me and my adoption history here.

As I personalize and digest my reunion with 5 biological siblings, I am reminded of my privilege and experience as a transracial adoptee. I knew from first grade that I was different from my cousins ​​and friends. I remember a lot of challenges as transracial adoptees: stigma and shame about my identity, my heritage and my native beauty. Growing up, my peers called me "Pochi" and as a teenager I was often sexualized or stigmatized by authorities and adults whom I trusted because of my "exotic" appearance. If I focus on the biological aspect of identity, as a transracial adoptee, I have no biological information; it is a constant place of emotional exploration. When it comes to being taken from your family, the lack of a record of your health and knowledge of medical conditions increases the uncertainty, Dissociation, oppression, shame and creates another layer of fear and fear. Sometimes I ignore things about my health, those painful "problems in my tissues," because when doctors ask about my medical history, I just don't know. I have to go to extremes to know my epigenetic factors. It is in the spirit of sacred belonging and relationship that the indigenous people endured and survived – indeed, I am alive. It took me a long time to feel like a person, to regain myself, to feel grounded in my body and in my skin and to really love myself again.

Bringing the whole self into practice

My job as a practitioner is to provide access to resources that offer both emotional support and evidence-based programs, such as a national network of experts that can be relied on and that understand the specific needs of these individuals.

My practice continues to surprise me with its limitless gifts, expansions, and opportunities to serve others. I now see – mainly through the alchemy of my inner work, which includes self-love, empowerment, and forgiveness – how living with chronic pain has actually enabled me to develop deeper clarity about my senses, breath, body, and choices; It makes me stronger.

<img alt="crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3 "width =" 400 "height =" 599 "srcset =" https://wanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-513×768.jpeg 513w, https://wanderlust.com/wp- content / uploads / 2021/11 / crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-662×992.jpeg 662w, https://wanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-768×1151.jpeg 768w, https://wanderlust.com/wp- content / uploads / 2021/11 / crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-1025×1536.jpeg 1025w, https://wanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-1367×2048.jpeg 1367w, https://wanderlust.com/wp- content / uploads / 2021/11 / crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-200×300.jpeg 200w, https://wanderlust.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-scaled.jpeg 1709w "src =" https://wanderlust.com /wp-content/uploads/2021/11/crystal_love_photos_Nov21_3-513×768.jpeg "data-sizes =" (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px "class =" alignright wp-image-304370 lazyload "/> As I mean. started working with MMIW I really started to understand how colonization and systemic racism are taking over indigenous lands and our people, especially our women. Young girls who age outside of the care system are attacked because of insecurity, abandonment, and low self-esteem. Communities, both rural and urban, continue to lack essential services that would help increase safety and healing for local women, children, and their families. My role as a practitioner, survivor and sports trainer is to walk by the side of MMIW survivors and relatives and hold courageous space by providing support that anticipates the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of families and communities alike, one day at a time.

As a society, we should be outraged when a child or woman is injured, abused or killed – nonviolence is at the heart of traditional indigenous teaching. Violence has no role in our traditions. When we say “women and children are holy,” we mean it, because just as water is life, water is holy. Women give life, and so do water. There is a sacredness of energy that flows through our body like water.

Exercise requires mindfulness and mindfulness requires practice

Exercise requires mindfulness and mindfulness requires practice. When we are mindful, we can see our limits. In order to evolve our selves in mind, body, spirit and emotions, we need to constantly nurture and develop these four areas within ourselves so that when we emerge in relationships and in our communities, we appear as the best versions of ourselves. We can be harassed or burdened or kind and cruel to our bodies, and usually the hardest part of "work" is keeping promises to ourselves. It may only be 5 minutes a day, but that adds up at the end of the week! When we are aware and connected; Guided by our inner vision and rituals, we find a healing and courageous space to reflect and grow.

to inspire your day and remind you of your strong and holy self; I designed a three-part collection called "Sacred Flow" which is a mix of barre and fitness sequences that creatively activate your sacral chakra, strengthen and lengthen your muscles, stimulate your heart and stabilize the foundation of the inner warrior. You will tap into passion and joy by setting your intention and focusing on energy centers on the mat. Nourish, surrender and let go.

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As the founder of Loveinmvmt Living, Crystal invites everyone to show themselves how they are in exercise, training, relaxation and wellness. Crystal is committed to empowering beginners and elite athletes living with past trauma, substance abuse, or chronic pain to use the tools within themselves and live in an enriched and more authentic experience. Loveinmvmt Living is about optimizing yourself through questions, movement, resilience coaching and mindset shifting and discovering who you are.

Crystal is NASM trained, 750h RYT, Kripalu Yoga In Schools certified, SeaChange yoga teacher, 200h + certified Barre teacher & trainer, Strength & Resilience Coach and Recovery Ally.

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