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#30DaysUP: a buck fifty a day

By #30DaysUP

snapshot: what’s #30DaysUP + what do you get?

reg_button30DaysUP

are you ready to change your life in 60 days?

we’re ready to take things up a notch in this next round of #30DaysUP! Like, before, we want to challenge + support you to develop superpowers that increase your self-awareness, your awareness or others, + now, unlike before, it’s all about growing happiness from the seeds of our suffering.

what will i get from engaging in this challenge?

other than serious superpowers (do I really need to go further…), here are the concrete offerings of this challenge:

  • the first 14 folks who register will get the DayOne app for free (Mac or iPhone versions), Apple Design 2014 Award winner + the best journaling app out there.
  • video tutorial on how to meditate, narrated by angel Kyodo williams.
  • weekly offerings that will help unpack areas of suffering in your life towards transforming them into happiness that will have a meaningful impact on you + your leadership.
  • a private community for you to share your thoughts + questions + get support!
  • a formal check-in for all participants to share + get support via a video (or audio, if you prefer) conference. will include some key tools to continue your practice.
  • one 1:1 session with Rusia Mohiuddin, by request within the 60 days of the challenge period.

how will this challenge transform my leadership?

the change process this challenge will catalyze is two-fold:

  1. cultivating self-awareness will sharpen your focus, level your mood, + allow you to more accurately see what is, as it is happening. this is essential to powerful + impactful leadership that motivates + inspires others.
  2. beginning to understand our own suffering + how we can create self-compassion from it, will intentionally shape your leadership + your interactions with authentic compassion for others.

like most things, there are many layers to these main takeaways. Lucia Gomez-Jimenez wrote about these many layers after the first round of #30DaysUp.

what do i have to do?

nothing. we want it to be about choice not absolutes. 🙂
bare bones, we want you to chose to complete 30 consecutive days of meditation in 60 days. this means, you can start on day 1 of the challenge, do 7 days of meditation, perhaps miss a day or two, + still have time to start over at 1 + be able to complete 30 straight days of meditation before the challenge ends.

dope.

essentially, there is one thing you will want to do to successfully complete the challenge… meditate at least 5 minutes every day for 30 consecutive days.
pretty easy, huh?
you can also chose to the following things, as well, that will dramatically enhance + solidify your practice towards embodying your new superpowers:

  • journal every day to log your progress + the many things that come up for you from day to day. since this challenge has a theme of growing happiness from our suffering, journaling your thoughts + experiences will be a healthy + healing way to progress throughout the 60 days.
  • share your progress with the #30DaysUP community or your own community. this is a great way to stay motivated + motivate others. inspiration is a big part of this work, both for you + for others. last round, many folks used the DayOne app publishing feature to post to twitter + facebook to share their progress + inspire many to join or renew their own meditation practice. it was quite the mini revolution!
  • invite others to sit with you! sharing is caring + sitting with others is something rather beautiful.

 need more info?

that’s cool. email us directly at rusia@universalpartnership.org

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November 17, 2014
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#OIS 2015: #freeyourbody

By #OIS, retreat

OIS-Quotes

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#freeyourbody

FEBRUARY 27th-MARCH 1st, 2015                       

deepen your self-knowledge + unleash your true leadership potential

no matter who we are, + what we do, our leadership presence + style is deeply shaped by our environment + our contexts. Our soma, (so-mah: the body in its living wholeness) comprising of our biology, socio-economic status, histories, political environment, psychological + spiritual landscapes determine + influence who we are + how we show up in the world. It is by deeply understanding our soma + somatic shape that we can identify what holds us back + help us leap into + live through our true leadership potential.

what

the Oppression in the Soma Retreat uses a somatic lens to un-layer, unpack + reveal the many ways oppression limits our ability to align our leadership with the values + principles that drive our work. By awakening deep understanding, this training enables individuals to generate new pathways towards a wholesome + complete shape that can hold our true individual + collective leadership potential.

how

somatics is a methodology that combines the biological + social sciences to provide a framework for analysis + action. at its core, somatics posits interconnection + balance of mind, body, + mood.

the use of somatics in leadership, begins by examining unconscious practiced behaviors, established by our interactions with family, community, + society throughout our lives, that blocks us from taking empowered action on our own behalf + ultimately aligning our behavior with our values + principles. it continues by establishing physical, emotional, + mental practices that shake up + shed these binds.

who

this retreat is open to anyone interested in deepening self-knowledge + tapping into their full leadership potential. it is particularly useful for those who view + navigate in the world through a socio-political lens including; community organizers, advocates, activists, yoga practitioners, coaches, healers + more.

cost

for a limited period of time, we are offering an EARLY BIRD SPECIAL for $647 per individual.
once this special expires, the regular tuition fee will be $689.

here’s what you will get…

* room+ board at garrison institute

* participant fee for retreat

* jo: a japanese aikido staff for practice (you get to keep this)

when + where

February 27th – March 1st, 2015

Garrison Institute
14 Mary’s Way, Route 9D
Garrison,, NY 10524 (845) 424-4800
At Universal Partnership, we honor each individual’s commitment to personal transformation, + recognize that this work can be at once challenging + healing. Through this retreat, we at Universal Partnership do our best to ensure a comfortable, safe + spacious environment through which each individual can learn, challenge + take care of themselves at their own pace. Join us!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Sethu, out fabulous retreat coordinator, at sethu@universalpartnership.org

facilitators + staff

UP_RusiaRusia N. Mohiuddin, the Principle of Universal Partnership, is a leadership trainer & certified somatic coach, who pioneered the integration of somatics into an organizing framework. Her current mission, through Universal Partnership, has been developing a holistic model for social justice change work that places in its center the necessary transformation of social change agents. Rusia brings a unique style to creating pathways for individuals to bring their best selves forward when enacting social change in their organizations & communities. Learn more about Rusia + UP…

akw-public_PRINTCalled “the most vocal and most intriguing African-American Buddhist in America,” by Library Journal, Rev. angel Kyodo williams Sensei, is an author, maverick spiritual teacher and master trainer and founder of Center for Transformative Change. She has been bridging the worlds of personal transformation and justice since the publication of her critically-acclaimed book, Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace. Her book was hailed as “an act of love” by Pulitzer Prize winner Alice Walker and “a classic” by Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield. Ordained as a Zen priest, she recently became the second black woman recognized as a Zen teacher.

angel is an early shaper and leading voice for Transformative Social Change, and coined the name for the field. She has developed comprehensive systems for illuminating both practical personal change and the profoundly liberating potential of mindfulness, yoga, and somatic practices coupled with wisdom teachings.  Both fierce and grounded, angel is known for her unflinching willingness to sit with and speak uncomfortable truths with love. She notes, “Love and justice are not two. Without inner change, there can be no outer change. Without collective change, no change matters.”  Whether in writing, teaching or speaking, her voice is unique. Learn more about angel…

seeduSethu Nair is a synergist who combines her experiences and knack in communications, relationship building + understanding conflict in her work as Communications Strategist, Mediator + Writer.

 

November 7, 2014
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#30DaysUP… is back at it again!

By Practice, UP

roots-of-the-lotus

we’re getting ready to be at it again… transforming leadership from the inside out is what #30DaysUP is all about.

our first round was a roaring success with 56 leaders across the country, meditating for 5 minutes EVERY SINGLE DAY.

so sweet!

this second round, we’re taking it up a notch… deepening our leadership by creating sincere + authentic happiness in our lives through meditation.

say what, willis?

yeah, you heard me right. mediation, happiness, leadership, humanity, + YOU!

stayed tuned by dropping a comment here on this post or email rusia@universalpartnership.org

it’s about to go down… start the new year off right + set yourself up for leadership success.

 

November 4, 2014
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in the deep end for liberation

By retreat, Testimonials

a beautiful Fall backdrop ushered in the weekend of Oppression In the Soma retreat at Garrison Institute on Friday, September 26th, 2014. it was an amazing retreat, with amazing participants, who dove deep in for self- + collective liberation.

over the next few weeks, we will share more on what we did + what we accomplished. for now, here are a few things folks shared with us about the retreat + their experiences.

on the option to fundraise their way to the retreat:

“the crowdsourcing piece of the Oppression in the Soma retreat was truly gratifying and humbling. The process of putting out the call and receiving was a transformative lesson in itself! And it really added to my whole retreat experience to enter with the support of my community. People who have very limited engagement with somatics, buddhism, or social justice are asking me about it with open ears and hearts. Powerful means to broaden the reach of the wisdom you offer beyond the immediate retreat participants! Thank you for providing an easy tool to raise funds. Without it, I would not have been able to join in the fun! Much gratitude and bless.”
– Danielle saint louis

on the personal transformation tip towards self-liberation:

“I feel like I literally have new eyes, choices I didn’t see as choices before, belief in myself, and a reclaiming of lies/frameworks that I no longer need.  I feel very precise with my words. I’m sleeping alot and just want water and grapes (even tho they taste too sweet) and kale.  I feel like I always am telling the truth.  I see love in everything.  I see human bodies with their spirits in them.  I hear what their souls are saying through their bodies through the other stuff that comes out of their mouth.  I feel decisive but not rushed.  I feel light/ease and peace.  And I feel, with a new word to use, spacious.  I feel like making choices that make me better and the world better all at once because they are one decision.”

on self-love + gratitude:

“Signing up for this training itself is an act of self-love. No matter where you are in your personal transformation, healing and commitment to social justice – the ‘Oppression in the Soma’ training is essential to getting started and continuing”
-sethu nair

the right place, at the right time for this life changing experience:

“Attending the Oppression in the Soma retreat with Rusia Mohiuddin and angel Kyodo williams was a truly life changing experience for me. When I entered the retreat I was skeptical, but I opened my mind and heart and put my trust into the facilitators who made me feel very comfortable with them both right away. I came to the retreat exhausted, burnt out, and just not sure what I needed to do to start a process of healing that had been a long time coming for me. By the time the retreat was over I felt like I had learned so much about myself and how oppression becomes locked in the soma that I was finally ready to begin working through and processing both past and recent traumas and start truly start to heal. I will begin one on one consultations with Rusia soon to continue the work that I have started. I have already begun to tell all of my friends about what a transformative experience I have had and I especially recommend this retreat to anyone whose identity is the target of multiple intersecting systems of oppression and who is engaged in various resistance movements and struggles for collective liberation.”
-kat young-stevens

October 6, 2014
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locked in your body + holding you back

By retreat
#freeyourbody

 
REGISTER NOW!

#freeyourbody: unleash your leadership potential
9/26-28/2014

a retreat of exploration + change

this is a retreat for anyone, working in any field, who is passionate about social justice. if you have a socio-political lens with which you view + navigate the world, then this retreat is a must for you. Organizers, activists, yoga teachers + practitioners, coaches, dharma community members, advocates alike require this space to deepen self-knowledge + leap into the next strata of personal leadership.

if you are free of unwanted baggage, then this retreat is not for you.

when we think about our leadership in the context of the socio, political, economical, + environmental landscapes, we inevitably come up against the deeply embedded ways in which systems of oppression continually shape who + how we are in the world. oppression is locked in the body. you cannot think oppression out of your body. this retreat aims to explore, with a somatic lens, the many ways in which oppression limits our ability to acutely align our leadership with the values + principles that drive our work. By exploring the impact of social, economic, + political conditions, the oppressive nature of how these spheres function in our society, we can ultimately reveal the depths in which these oppressive societal conditions live in our beings + how it can limit the impact of our individual + collective leadership.

soma (so-mah): the body in its living wholeness

why a somatic lens?
somatics is a sophisticated methodology combining the biological + social sciences to provide a framework for analysis + action. the core ideology of somatics posits the undeniable interconnection + indispensable balance of mind, body, + mood. 

the use of somatics in leadership, begins by examining unconscious practiced behaviors, established by our interactions with family, community, + society throughout our lives, that blocks us from taking empowered action on our own behalf + ultimately aligning our behavior with our values + principles. it continues by establishing physical, emotional, + mental practices that shake up + shed these binds. 

September 26-28th 2014

Garrison Institute

design + facilitation by

rusia n. mohiuddin with angel Kyodo williams 
REGISTER NOW!

many ways to support yourself + others

we want to make giving to + attending this retreat possible for everyone who has a yearning for social justice + self-cultivation. here are some ways in which you can get involved!

retreat fees a hinderance to attending? don’t sweat it! 
email us at events@universalpartnership.org + we will add you to our razoo team so you can raise your individual fees with some DIY crowdfunding… DOPE!

can’t attend but love it so much you wanna support?

kick us a donation at any of the following links:

   

did we miss something?

don’t hesitate to email us with questions or comments at events@universalpartnership.org
“transforming the truth to love requires knowing the truth about our own leadership.”  -Rusia Mohiuddin, Principle @ Universal Partnership

tuition + room fees

registration is a 2-step process: register HERE for the retreat + pay the modest tuition fee then visit the garrison institute to register for room + board. 

fees for room, food (2 nights) range from $100-$130 per night (not included in the fees listed below)

the remaining tuition fees are as follows + can be paid through the retreat registration process or at our eventbrite page:

individual = EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $300.00. REG. PRICE $389.00 (if you would like to participant, sans any affiliation with an organization)

organization = $240.00 – $640 (if you would like to participate through your organization + with organizational resources. sliding scale based on organizational budget)

  • $150,000 or less organizational budget: tuition fee is $300/person + room & board
  • $250,000 or less organizational budget: tuition fee is $350/person + room & board
  • $500,000 or less organizational budget: tuition fee is $400/person + room & board
  • $750,000 or less organizational budget: tuition fee is $500/person + room & board
  • $1,000,000 or more organizational budget: tuition fee is $650/person + room & board

be an event sponsor = $100.00 (individuals + organizations can become event sponsors by making a donation of $100 or more)

sponsor a friend = EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $300.00. REG. PRICE $389.00 (can’t make it to the retreat yourself? know someone who can really benefit? sponsor a someone to attend the retreat)

make a donation = $20.00+ (every little bit we raise makes it that much more accessible for folks to attend the retreat)
REGISTER NOW!

 
Rusia N. Mohiuddin, the Principle of Universal Partnership, is a leadership trainer & certified somatic coach, who pioneered the integration of somatics into an organizing framework. Read more…
Called “the most vocal and most intriguing African-American Buddhist in America,” by Library Journal, Rev. angel Kyodo williams Sensei, is an author, maverick spiritual teacher and master trainer and founder of Center for Transformative Change. Read more…
casey johanna, Retreat Coordinator, is a human being, born & raised in Brooklyn, NY. A child of the African & Asian diasporas, via family lineage in Guyana, they believed health & well-being are necessary components of liberation. Read more…

 
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limited space, register now

for more information + special requests, please email

events@universalpartnership.org

August 16, 2014
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a retreat of exploration + change

By retreat, UP

 

reg_buttonwhen we think about our leadership in the context of the socio, political, economical, + environmental landscapes, we inevitably come up against the deeply embedded ways in which systems of oppression continually shape who + how we are in the world. this retreat aims to explore, with a somatic lens, the many ways in which oppression limits our ability to align our leadership, acutely, with the values + principles that drive our work. By exploring the impact of social, economic, + political conditions, the oppressive nature of how these spheres function in our society, we can ultimately reveal the depths in which these oppressive societal conditions live in our beings + how it can limit the impact of our individual + collective leadership.

 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UPCOMING RETREAT, PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

July 14, 2014
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ypp: the sum of us is courage personified

By Leadership Dev., MEDIA, Testimonials

click to watch on mobile device

it is true that what we can accomplish together is far greater than what can do on our own. however, the skills and qualities of the individuals who make up the sum, greatly impacts the effectiveness of what they can achieve together. it is with this intention, that we must cultivate our individual leadership, that the Youth Power Project of Make the Road NY assembled for a staff development retreat to learn about embodied leadership at the headquarters of Universal Partnership.

having worked on aligning their values and principles on an organizational level at a recent staff retreat with the principle of UP, Rusia Mohiuddin, the staff traveled outside of the city to dive deep and explore the qualities of their individual leadership towards envisioning how they want to intentionally show up in the world. what resulted was truly an authentic display of strength, camaraderie and courage.

the training was really impactful… I feel stronger as an individual and as a woman. anyone who has the opportunity to embrace themselves, they way I did today, is truly fortunate.
-Adilka Pimental, YPP Staff

YPP-MRNY-201430

Dana, Cynthia & Jessica share their leadership visions

each staffer explored their historical shaping to learn about their current somatic shape. this is no small feat but rather a huge leap towards embracing their histories, appreciating all of what makes them who they are and accepting that they can chose to change in order to create greater inner alignment to how they want their leadership to be in the world. unequivocally brilliant!

the staff team also practiced the 31 Jo Kata to assess their individual leadership and how it shows up in action. practicing as a whole team, ypp staff gained insight into their group dynamics and learned where they need to make both individual and collective leadership adjustments.

the jo practice makes me feel like a warrior!
-Mateo Tabares

at the end of a long day, each of them had practices developed to inch them towards their vision for their leadership and a set of collective practices to do as a whole team.

cultivating embodied leadership is an act of courage and self-love. the staff of youth power project of make the road ny, summoned this and then some. Check out THIS VIDEO to learn more about ypp’s experience with Universal Partnership’s Embodied Leadership. To learn more about the work of YPP, please visit MAKE THE ROAD NY.

June 20, 2014
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Lucia Gomez-Jimenez + #30DaysUP

By #30DaysUP, Leadership Dev., Practice, UP

I admit that I enjoy and actually look for a good challenge. I thrive in challenging environments. I make the best of a given situation and feel comfortable assessing and navigating rough waters. Therefore when I saw Universal Partnership’s #30daysUP meditation challenge, I thought – why not? A challenge to sit, meditate, and clear my mind – let’s go! I knew I needed it, my mind was running game all over me!

I will admit, this challenge came in a good time for me – I was prime to do something to better manage my emotional and professional state of mind. I had just undergone quite a brutal beatdown when having to deal with extremely untrustworthy individuals and hoping they would do what is best for the people they represent. Unfortunately, my hopes were set too high and I entered full body, heart, mind and soul without the appropriate gear to manage it all. In the past, I had used meditation as a tool to help me cope with the daily strain on my body and heart when the daily job of LIFE took a toll on me. I will admit that during this time I had some other kinds of support. A friend of mine – let’s call him Smarty, really kicked into gear during this time. He helped me by listening, informally coaching, and highlighting aspects of my thought-process and communication skills that I had overlooked needed major work. Just imagine – I got two gifts from him, a book called Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity and the Mind-Map Book. Now, if that’s not an indication of the “troubles” he saw in my flow, than I’m not sure what else could be.

Along comes the #30daysUP challenge and I will admit – it really took me to the next level of my evolution. I started on April 7th and I am still going strong. I can’t lie, there was a moment that I sat up to 18 minutes…then I had to go back down to 3 minutes! I’m now back up to 11 minutes and every day working my way up to my goal of 15 minutes daily. I can see things in a way that I never had before. I’m more open and less reactive. I have noticed that when something is triggering me, I know that breathing can get me through it – so I inhale, take in the moment – and exhale. I then am ready to either respond, or simply let it go until I can really handle the reaction that will follow in a productive way.

Just last week, I knew that if I didn’t meditate every day, I wasn’t going to get through it all – but it was more than just the meditation. Its as if I started paying attention and being more present in all aspects of my life. I have not only kept meditating beyond the 30 days (sometimes more than once a day when I feel the need to reboot), but when I do miss a day – I’m not as hard on myself and immediately get back to it the next day. I have also started to write in my journal, listen to music, and read. It’s as if I’ve slowed down – but not necessarily my work flow or productivity, just what I prioritize and emphasize as needing immediate and stressful attention. Sometimes, my days are jammed with non-stop activity, but I can now stop, take a moment to take-in what is happening, and assess my next steps.

For example, one of the ways I used to manage relationships was going straight to the point without too much fluff or thought on who I was speaking to. So much so that at times I had no filter and it was as if I was interacting with objects that didn’t feel or react as a result of what I was saying and doing. My self-awareness was a bit off…to say the least. Am I 100% aware now? Not 100%, but definitely much more aware than I have ever been and working towards a much clearer and purpose-driven self. The #30daysUP challenge wasn’t the only time I started meditating. I had been doing it on and off for about two years. Yet, seeing the UP’s mind the gap video, the structure, the posts and the tweets got me excited to be a part of something with a community of individuals who were striving to simply become better for the sake of helping others be better. It’s what got me motivated to really try to stick to it and stay on course.

The idea that a daily practice could help re-train my mind to reconnect with my heart, my breath, my body, and ultimately with others is truly fascinating to me. So simple, yet it took me this long to get here.

Meditation was not like other stress-coping mechanisms like when I choose to write in my journal or swim, but it has helped me reflect and re-train my eyes to see, my heart to feel, and my mind to think about what is there in that present moment. I’ve learned to identify in much less time the things that make me happy, mad and those that take me off course and ultimately procrastinate. My mood is much less random, and I can actually feel and understand what is going on with my body and where my mind is. I value the present so much more than I ever have, and I know it can only get better. Thank you Rusia, #30daysUp and all who participated. Let’s keep it going!

Lucia is the Executive Director of La Fuente

June 10, 2014
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