“I think as an activist it can be really easy to feel like you have to do it all and fix all the problems.”
Who here resonates with that?
Ashley Cheng gets it. She shared these words with us during an AEN interview recorded on Thursday. (You can watch the entire thing below.)
As a yoga teacher, cofounder of Rouser (an organization that helps regular people “figure out how to stop flipping out and start flipping legislative seats”), and a fellow in the New Leaders Council’s Austin Leadership Institute, Ashley understands just how hard it is to be an activist.
That’s why she’s decided to give back. On Sunday, June 2nd from 2pm to 3:30pm she is hosting “Leading Mindfully: A Self Care Workshop” at Castle Hill Fitness in downtown Austin. The class is geared specifically for “activists, helping professionals, and humans doing good.” During the course of the workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a yoga session, do some journaling, and enjoy a little guided meditation.
Plus, 100 percent of the proceeds from the class will be donated to the New Leaders Council, a nonprofit dedicated to recruiting, training and promoting a diverse new generation of progressive leaders in our city.
Interested in attending? You can get your ticket here.
Can’t wait for the class to start doing a little more self care? Here are a few tips from Ashley:
- Having the weight of the world on your shoulders can literally impact your posture, so be sure to take a moment every so often to roll your shoulders and practice sitting up straight at your desk.
- Build and rely on community! Remember that you are not alone!
- Dedicate five minutes a day to get up from your desk and step outside. Even a short period of time in the outdoors can make a big difference.
- Give your eyes a rest from the computer. Schedule time in your day to take a step back, look away from the screen, and enjoy a few deep breaths.
- Let joy into your life! Especially in times of disappointment, promise to do things in your life that are just fun. In other words, dance it out!!!
Wait. What’s this New Leaders Council thing you keep mentioning?
As they explain on their website, “Started in 2016, the NLC Austin chapter has trained more than 60 progressives through the Institute Program, a six-month flagship training program hosted once a year. These leaders are rising entrepreneurs, community advocates, and nonprofit leaders, working to make Austin a truly progressive city.”
Ashley is part of the 2019 cohort and told us that so far in the course she’s been trained on communications, working on political campaigns, and things to consider when running for office. And of course, she’s had the chance to meet some pretty cool people along the way 🙂
If you’re interested in applying for the 2020 cohort, you can learn more here.
