Skill in Action: How Michelle Cassandra Johnson Is Transforming Yoga for a More Just World

Skill in Action: How Michelle Cassandra Johnson Is Transforming Yoga for a More Just World

We are thrilled to introduce Michelle Cassandra Johnson, a distinguished guest faculty member for our 2024-25 Happy Warrior® Yoga Teacher Training program. Michelle is a celebrated activist, author, and teacher whose pioneering work at the intersection of yoga and equity has transformed communities and inspired countless practitioners. With her unique blend of wisdom, healing, and justice, Michelle will help guide our next cohort toward becoming powerful agents of change, both on and off the mat.

Why Michelle is Excited to Join Happy Warrior® Yoga Teacher Training

When asked why she’s excited to be part of the Happy Warrior YTT, Michelle says it perfectly:

“I’m excited about being part of the Happy Warrior Yoga Teacher training program because the tenets of the program align with my values, spiritual practice, and work as a spiritual and yoga teacher. Much of my work has focused on what it means to be skillful and responsive to the suffering present in our world through the practice of yoga. This particular yoga teacher training aligns with this focus because it invites people to consider what their work and role might be in making change in the world for the betterment of humanity. I’m excited to infuse the tenet of my own body of work, Skill in Action, into this yoga teacher training to enhance the knowledge and leadership skills and practice of yoga for participants.”

Michelle’s focus on aligning yoga with meaningful, actionable change reflects the core values of the Happy Warrior YTT, which is why we’re so thrilled to have her on board, teaching the next cohort of yoga leaders. Her body of work, including her book Skill in Action, and her TEDx Talk on social justice, deeply resonate with the program’s vision.

Watch Michelle’s TEDx Talk: “There Is No Neutral”

The Intersection of Yoga and Social Justice

For Michelle, the connection between yoga and social justice is fundamental. She shares that “Justice and yoga feel one and the same to me. The principles of yoga and the practice of transformation are aligned with principles for creating movements for social change.”

In her experience, mainstream wellness spaces often further marginalize people based on their identity. She explains:

“We live in a culture that marginalizes people based on identity, and my experience of yoga/spiritual spaces has been one of further marginalization based on who is set up to have access to wellness in our culture. I spent time in many rooms that didn’t reflect my experience as a Black woman or speak to the social issues the collective is struggling through.”

Michelle’s commitment to integrating social justice into yoga reflects the Happy Warrior mission to create a more inclusive yoga community. By addressing systemic inequities, Michelle and the program seek to break down barriers in the wellness industry.

Learn more about Michelle’s perspective on the intersection of yoga and justice in an interview with Yoga International here, and her groundbreaking book, Skill in Action.

Choosing to Lead with Yoga

For those uncertain if undertaking the Happy Warrior training is the right path, Michelle offers thoughtful advice:

“I cannot decide what one’s path is, and what I will share is that the path of yoga is a way of living. Anyone who is interested in exploring their patterns of behavior, tendencies, the collective patterns of suffering, and a pathway toward liberation could engage the practice of yoga as a path and teacher.”

She adds that while many people enter teacher training with the goal of becoming a teacher, it’s also an opportunity to be a lifelong student of yoga. The Happy Warrior yoga teacher training is an ideal step for anyone who wants to explore the expansive possibilities of living and practicing yoga—on and off the mat.

What It Means to Be a Happy Warrior

Michelle offers a powerful reflection on what it means to lead on and off the mat. She shares:

“Being attuned to the suffering in the world doesn’t bring about happiness. And as I understand it, the goal of yoga isn’t happiness. It is liberation. Freedom from what is in our way. Freedom from what upholds the illusion we are separate.”

Michelle’s vision of a warrior is rooted in fierce love, truth, and a commitment to creating conditions for collective liberation. She sees yoga as a practice that sustains warriors for the long haul, ensuring that their skills are used wisely in service of this goal.

Interested in exploring what it means to be a Happy Warrior? Applications are open for the Happy Warrior® YTT 2024-25 cohort. Learn more and apply here.

Learn More About Michelle Cassandra Johnson’s Work

Michelle’s work is grounded in transforming the self and the collective through her writing, teaching, and activism. To learn more about her, check out her TEDx Talk, Skill in Action, and her other writings on the intersection of social justice and yoga on her website here.

She continues to inspire a movement for social change, one that begins with a deep understanding of the self and radiates outward to impact entire communities.

Join the Movement for Change

Whether you’re seeking to become a yoga teacher or a leader in your community, the Happy Warrior® Yoga Teacher Training is a unique, transformative program designed for individuals committed to equity, service, and advocacy. Apply today to join the 2024-25 cohort and learn from faculty like Michelle Cassandra Johnson. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future through the power of yoga.