A DAY IN THE LIFE with AMEENAH ASANTE

𝘏𝘪 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘩 𝘈𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦, 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘚𝘗 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟻. ⁣⁣⁣
I lived in Japan for over 15 years, where I had a very full life operating several dance companies over the years, teaching fitness, working in education and being a mother. In the winter of 2015, I traveled from Tokyo to California, Oregon and then Michigan to teach dance fitness master classes. Before leaving the US to go back to Japan, I decided to take the Piloxing Barre training led by Jill. The training was phenomenal. I instantly fell in love with the seamlessness of the program. It was intelligent, ass-kicking and fun! -Something I couldn't wait to bring back to my students in Tokyo. ⁣⁣

To my surprise, when I touched down at the airport and checked my phone, I had an email from Piloxing stating that I was being considered for a Master Trainer position. I was honored that my participation in the Piloxing Barre training as I learned this new format was strong enough to be considered! A few days later, I sent in an audition video and received a "yes" to continue my journey. Two weeks later, I was back in Los Angeles getting my butt kicked, learning the foundations of Piloxing from lovelies @cortneypiloxing , @jordankateballard and Piloxing creator herself, @vivecajensen , at the former Burbank studio.⁣⁣
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What I've learned from Piloxing has been TRANSFORMATIVE for my day to day life and in my teaching. My body has been the strongest, leanest and SAFEST, using the many tools of the programs. I am extremely grateful for all that I have learned. Piloxing will always have a special place in my heart. ⁣⁣
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One of the things I've loved about being a Piloxing MT is experiencing the global Piloxing community, particularly in Asia. Traveling to train new instructors and working with other master trainers in Asia was so fun. We didn't always speak the same language but we understood the body, our own power and we "spoke" Piloxing!⁣⁣

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Looking forward to sharing #adayinthelife with you! ⁣

𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝟷𝟿𝟾𝟷. A Peace Bell was given to the UN from Japan "as a reminder of the human cost of war". The inscription on the side of the bell reads, "Long live absolute world peace."⁣
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When I was a little girl, I remember reading "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes". - A story about a little girl who was dying from cancer as a result of the nuclear bombings by the US in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in WW2. As a result of a Japanese legend, she aimed to fold 1,000 origami paper cranes in hopes to be granted a wish.⁣
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Our world is in need of peace today in so many ways. From systemic racism and prejudice in the United States and around the world, to major governmental instability in Lebanon, Venezuela, the US and elsewhere. More than ever, there is an obligation as global citizens to use our voices to speak up again and again for human rights, with an understanding that no one is actually free until we are all free. And there is no real peace until the world has required it. Posting a black square on Instagram or sharing an article on Facebook IS NOT ENOUGH. Lasting change begins with knowledge AND action. Here are suggestions on where to begin:⁣
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1) VOTE - Vote every single election. Not only for the presidency but especially for your local elections. If you are not inspired by the officials running for office, use your power and run for office yourself.⁣
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2) Do your own work - Educate yourself on the challenges others that may not look like you, are facing. Learn about systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, able-ism, etc. Learn about your own implicit bias that EVERYONE has as well as which areas you have privilege. Understand it. Own it. Read. Watch. Learn.⁣
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3) Listen. Listen again. Listen some more. In every culture, that are subgroups within that culture that often, do not have a voice. In many of these cultures, the voiceless are black and brown people of color. Amplify these voices so they can be heard over the noise of the status quo. Learn from them and grow.⁣

4) Get involved. We are much more similar to each other than we are different. Understanding our similarities can give us access to deep compassion for one another. With compassion, we can then take action. Teach your children well. Attend school and city council meetings and speak up. Email your congress person regularly. Be vocal, correct and report any prejudices that occur within your family or workplace.⁣
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We cannot continue to look outward and expect for things to change. The bottom-line is that "absolute world peace" begins and ends with us.

𝘈𝘴 𝘐 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, I want to close by talking about the importance of inner peace. Seven years ago, I added Transformational Life Coach to my work. I've been blessed to help over a hundred clients make lasting changes in their lives, understand their worth, improve their businesses and deepen their relationships. ⁣

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More importantly, I've made important changes in my own life and the life of my children. For over 10 years, I found myself in an emotionally manipulative and occasionally, emotionally abusive marriage. For years, I "fought" for our relationship for the sake of love and for my children. It wasn't until I asked myself "at what cost?" am I continuing this facade? ⁣
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The reality was that I wasn’t okay. Me waking up to the knowledge of my own worth and power allowed me to follow my heart and take action. With the support of my family, I uprooted myself and my kids and moved from Tokyo, Japan to my home state of Michigan in the US. Tokyo was supposed to be our home forever but our peace was/is so much more important than any physical location. It was time to go. We deserved peace.⁣

⁣We've been in the US for almost 3 years and I am happy to report that the kids and I are completely acclimated to life here. We are surrounded by the love of our family. I am grateful to be able to do my life coaching from home and due to the COVID pandemic, my kids are home with me daily. -Something I truly cherish. ⁣
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The process towards healing began during the end of my marriage and for years after it was over. Visit my page to read a coaching post I wrote with tips to begin the healing process in your own life.
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If you are experiencing abuse of any kind, please know that it is NOT OKAY. Reach out to someone you respect and trust and get the resources you need to change your situation. Don't know anyone? Message me. @ameenah_loves ⁣
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To support families experiencing domestic abuse in the US, consider donating to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Link in my bio at @ameenah_loves . ⁣Thank you to Piloxing for creating space for me to amplify my voice. We all have a story to tell. Thank you for being a part of mine. ⁣
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Wild Blessings,⁣
⁣Ameenah⁣