I am not perfect. I never have been perfect and I pray to God I never will be. Ask anyone—my former third grade students or my cat Tanner. I was born in Dayton, Ohio, grew into adulthood in Atlanta, Georgia, and managed to fit New York City somewhere in between. I am a daughter of progressive Hip Hop and a certified nerd by trade. I am a green energy drink alchemist who is addicted to yoga. I am a strong believer that our imperfections are blessings and make us interesting and worthwhile. I am a truth-seeking unapologetic flower child with a lot of spiritual swag. I am an advocate for fearlessness and a freedom fighter who believes that liberation is a product of Self-compassion, Self- love, and Self-healing.
Currently, I am a PhD graduate fellow at Emory University and a self-proclaimed activist-educator who uses hyphens a lot. I am fascinated by language, literacy, culture, and the stories people share. I am a proud graduate of Spelman College and Columbia University’s Teachers College. I graduated as a certified yoga instructor from the Yoga Alliance approved Kashi Atlanta Urban Ashram under the guidance of my beloved teachers Swami Jaya Devi, Ma Jaya, and mentor Isvari Verre. It is during this life-changing experience at Kashi that I received my name Jaya Dasi, Jaya meaning victory, and Dasi meaning one who serves God by serving others.
My yoga practice with children started when I began teaching elementary school in Atlanta, Georgia. I have integrated yoga practices throughout many of my formal and informal K-12 teaching experiences. It was at the Neighborhood Charter School in Grant Park that I was able to develop my children’s yoga curriculum with my third grade students and K-5 afterschool participants. As my interest in children’s yoga deepened, I completed the Yoga Ed. Health and Wellness Program for Schools training at the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City. As a Yoga Ed. teacher I have conducted workshops for classroom teachers, parents, and caregivers.
My current research at Emory allows me to unite my interests in multiple literacy practices, ethnography, and yoga. I have the pleasure of working under the guidance of my advisor and brilliant scholar Dr. Maisha T. Winn who is active throughout the community and academia. My experience as Dr. Winn’s research assistant afforded me the opportunity to publish my first co-authored work on literacy, justice, and the school-to-prison pipeline.
Have fun browsing this site as you learn more about my community work, research, and yoga practice. I hope you enjoy! Namaste.
This site is awesome! Is it childish of me to write “I was the first person to sign your website!!”
Love you,
Danica
Nothing wrong with getting in touch with our inner-child
Love you Danica!!!
This site is amazing! You got me excited about Yoga all over again. Loved learning about you and now I’m an even bigger fan ; )! Love it can’t wait to get back in!
Thanks Amika! Can’t wait to practice with you again!!!
Chelsea, your site rocks! I am so proud of you and honored to call you my friend
xo
Thanks Nikki! Love you!
WOW….I’m so glad to call you my sister-friend, Chels!!! You are truly inspirational!!! Keep up the great work…I love it & you too!!!
Cleo!!! The feeling is mutual sis!!!Love you!
Namaste! CONGRATS on the website. It looks amazing. I am so excited for you!
Thank you Ms. Shavonna Saraswati!
GF, I am so proud I can hardly contain myself. You have become such a beautiful teacher and woman in every way and I am so thrilled for all the people and children whose life you have and will change. You are and will always be my mentor.
Isvari! You are AMAZING. I am so grateful that the Universe put you in my life. I have learned and continue to learn so much from you. Your spirit is so beautiful and I am proud to call you my mentor (even though you insist on calling me yours:P) I love you unconditionally and I look forward to our journey together. Namaste.
This is when I proudly claim you as my twin! This is beautiful. You inspire me and light my heart on fire!!
Thank you Maha Devi! Love you!
Greetings from Al Ain!
This is so awesome and inspiring!!!
Peace and blessings and much love to you!
Your former student-
Sabrina
Sabrina!!! Wow, this makes the site officially International!!! I am so happy to hear from you. I cannot wait until with have the opportunity to practice together again. I hope you are well and having a wonderful time in Al Ain! Peace and LOVE!!!!
You have grown into such a beautiful young woman. I love the site! Keep up the good work! Love ya sis!
Thanks LaNetta! Love you, looking forward to our regularly scheduled Sunday evening 2 hours of nonsense.
Chelsea!!! Not only am I reading “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson, but I learning how to do so. Your energy throughout the years has always been such a true testament to the LOVE and light that the universe so effortlessly provides. Your website, vision, and service to the community is such an inspiration and I cant wait to see your abundance to the world manifest through us all exponentially! love and light to you sister
Shaka! Thank you so much for your kind words. They gave me chills. I appreciate you and your light as well. We are all growing together. Isn’t that beautiful!?! I am looking so forward to seeing you soon. Thanks again!
All my love,
Chelsea
Congrats on the site…it looks AMAZING!! I am so proud of the woman you have become
Keep up the good work babe! Oh, by the way ~ happy 21st birthday, lol!
I love you Shmee!
Love the website, Chelsea!
Thank you so much Leron!!! Hope you and the family are doing well.
Tanner!
she is a grown cat-woman with a lot of attitude now
Site is fresh, by the way
beautiful site, Chelsea … befitting the beautiful you!
Thank you so much Karen! I miss you. I hope you are enjoying your summer!
Your bio is fantastic!! I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. What you are contributing to the community is awesome. Blessings to you.
Mrs. Underwood! Well you know better than anyone how supportive the teachers, community, and my family have been in this growth. I thank you for your support back when Spelman College was just a dream and we were filling out the application. Your title as GUIDANCE counselor was so appropriate. Thank you for mentoring me! Go Public School Education!!!
Great website Chelsea!! Congrats on all your wonderful accomplishments!
Thanks Deonca! And congratulations are in order for you as well! Love you!!!
Chelsea JayaDasi, it was a pleasure to meet you at Carol’s Daughter a few weeks ago. You left an incredible light within me and have sparked a fire to reacquaint myself with yoga practice. I look forward to taking one of your beginners classes on an upcoming Sunday! Keep shining!
Chelsea, I absolutely love this website and I love the work that you are doing…as I stated before you have inspired me to add Yoga as my core to getting healthy…I have a long way to go but I’m well on my Journey…Keep being an inspiration to other!
Chakeisa you are an inspiration! I am so happy to see you on here! So excited about your yoga journey! Please keep us posted.