Daily Archives: July 22, 2026

Yoga instructor CJ Spears believes healing begins by slowing down, listening to your body and making space for your emotions. In this conversation with JR Valrey, she discusses yoga’s ancient roots, how the practice carried her through difficult times, and why she combines movement with journaling to help people process stress and deepen self-awareness. She also shares the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga, along with upcoming classes designed to make wellness accessible to the community.

A Black and Indigenous-owned quarter-acre sanctuary in deep West Oakland is redefining what community healing can look like.

As the Black Arts Movement District marks its 10th anniversary, master artist and Oakland Poet Laureate Ayodele Nzinga reflects on the enduring legacy of the Black Arts Movement and why theater remains a vital tool for liberation, healing and community building. In this conversation with JR Valrey, she previews BAMAVERSARY, a four-day celebration of Black art and culture, while tracing the movement’s living influence from the 1960s to today’s artists, activists and youth.