This Saturday, a group of people gathered at Houston’s ‘Yoga House’ for a “Positive Self Talk.”
When Raveen Johnson, 24, thought about hosting an inspirational journaling workshop three weeks ago, she named it “Positive-Self Talk.” Johnson, a writer, created the workshop in hopes to share how she uplifts herself through journaling with others.
"I want people to know that they have the power to center themselves,” Johnson said.
“They don't have to always go to someone else for advice. They don't have to crowd their minds with all their thoughts. They can literally write it down and talk positively to themselves in their own words. I want people to learn how to rely on themselves."
With a little over 30 participants, the two-hour workshop was very intimate. While guests sat on pillows and blankets in a large circle on the yoga studio’s floor, Johnson led the “self-talk” with different journaling exercises. In addition to writing self-assuring things to counter internalized negative feelings, attendees were also encouraged to vocalize positive reflections about their neighboring participants.
During the initial planning of the workshop, Johnson specifically intended for the event to cater to black people. She also felt that it was important that the workshop takes place in a black owned business like ‘Yoga House’. It is no coincidence that the yoga studio also happens to be located in Third Ward, an urban community with a primarily black population.
With the recent heavily publicized deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Alva Braziel, all black men that were killed by police in the past week, Johnson feels that the timing for her workshop was divine. She believes that “God aligned it that way” so that she could help possibly help her peers cope with the tragedies.
"Usually, people of color aren't allowed to feel in this society,” Johnson said.
“We can't be too mad. We can't be too happy. We can't be too sad. Society wants us to feel like we're weak, and we're not weak. I want people to find new ways to show their strength.”
Johnson says that she is planning to host another journaling workshop in the fall, as she felt that the “Positive Self Talk” was a success.
