We had the good fortune of connecting with Kierstin Graham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kierstin, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Duality Rising is all about offering access to wellness skills for everyone. Who I work with has really inspired me to think outside of the box when connecting others to wellness skills.

I work with Recovery and Behavioral Health and the fear of missing out on music festivals, concerts, and other social events comes up. As somebody who enjoys these spaces and believes dancing can be a form of mindful movement, I hope to support others in seeing and experiencing the wellness and support aspect of these spaces. This is when I became a wellness skills guide by day and a sober fun guide by night! I do not believe wellness skills and mindful movement are “one size fits all” ,and I wanted to create both a space and offerings where individuals can explore and find what works best for them. Working with Duality Rising can happen in a clinical setting, in home, online, or in Duality Rising’s traveling Wellness Tent.

During the day I am supporting access to wellness skills through Trauma Sensitive Yoga + Mindfulness, Circus Arts, Dance, and Education. For these offerings I connect with the community by partnering with therapeutic spaces and local non-profits. Currently I am working with Hello Neighbor SAV to offer a free 200 hour Trauma Sensitive Yoga Training to the underserved and recovery community. We hope this training will offer these individuals an opportunity to explore wellness skills for themselves, and if they choose an opportunity to share their stories and support others in the community. I also work with Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council by offering free wellness training(s) for facilitators and community members.

During the night time I am supporting individuals in sober fun through dance, circus arts/entertainment, and throwing local sober raves.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
One thing I want the world to know is there is something that can and will support you- it doesn’t have to look the same for everyone! ​Unfortunately social media only shows certain aspect of a yoga practice, and not everyone will connect to that! The word “Yoga” comes from the sanskrit root word “yug” which means to unite. Yoga is the practice of uniting your mind and body and offers us the opportunity to connect to interoception (your ability to read your bodies cues- for example how you know you’re hungry when your stomach growls). Being able to connect to interoception offers individuals the opportunity to create space for response vs reaction in stressful moments of life. This is why it is so important to remember this practice should and can be customized for each individual person and/or situation.

This is why I offer trainings, classes, raves, and what introduced me to circus arts. I was looking for another way to explore movement and connecting to my body. Circus arts has also offered me the opportunity to step back into something I really enjoyed before my battle with my eating disorder. I was an extremely outgoing kid, I wanted to be a singer, and actress, and a contortionist when I grew up. As I got older I began to shy away from the spotlight, due to discomfort in my body and appearance. Once I started training with Cirque Divina my passion for performing came back. I currently perform every Friday and Saturday night with Cirque Divina at Plant Riverside District!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Early morning Coffee and Surf session on Tybee

A walk around Forsyth Park

Lunch at Greentruck or Kayak Cafe

Cirque Classes at Cirque Divina

End with the night on Riverstreet to watch Streemosphere and listen to live music

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The seed of Mindfulness and Yoga was planted by my nana at a super early age, however it took me a while to really trust and find these wellness skills and how they worked for me.

Yoga-N-DA-Hood a non-profit organization in Dallas showed me that it is okay to find different ways to teach and connect to wellness skills.

Soulwork and Adi Shakti for supported and helped grow my trauma informed wellness guide skills

Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council and Vira Salzburn for supporting my continuing education in trauma informed practices through trainings and open conversations with the community

The local nonprofits, recovery spaces, crisis centers, and community members who believe in and support trauma informed wellness skills being accessible.

Breathing Deeply and Brandt Passalacqua for deepening my knowledge through their Yoga Therapy Program.

All of my inspiring friends who are constantly making a difference and dreaming big.

Most importantly anyone who has ever shared space with me through a class, workshop, or training-thank you for your trust and collaboration!

Website: duality-rising.com

Instagram: Kierstinkalliope and Duality Rising

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kierstin.nicole.14

Other: TikTok: Kierstinkalliope

Image Credits
1st photo (seated on mat) TiffanyNorth Photography

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