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Oneika Mays

@oneikamays

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I teach about love BECAUSE life is hard enough. I ✍🏾 because life is also amazing. I 🗣️about all of this with @bewellwithpamela on YouGood

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Writing a book showed me that I can finish something. From the idea to the proposal—to the actual writing of the manuscript. I completed something—I’m capable of getting to the end. But more than that I learned how to start over again. And again. Because every ending opens another door. I cross the threshold. Begin the next part of the process. I don’t have even have to be confident or brave, but I do have honor these moments. It is sacred to witness my effort, my ability to keep trying. The effort might lead me to a resting place so I can reflect and gather my strength or simply take time to dream—about what’s possible or what seems unimaginable.

And as solitary and sometimes lonely writing can feel inside every part of me—I didn’t do it alone. My community held me with encouragement, truth telling, feedback and love. I am part of something larger than myself. Writing a book taught me about life and these lessons are transferable if I remember to apply them. I just have to remember to remember—that’s my practice.
#sitwithme #practice #mindfullnes by @oneikamays

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5 months ago

I LOVED chatting with Vincent, host of Paths to Practice. Repost from @pathsofpractice
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Episode 145!

Oneika Mays is a yoga and meditation teacher, author, and former Mindfulness Coach at Rikers Island Correctional Facility, where she taught for over a decade. Her debut book Sit With Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation (HarperOne, March 2026) explores metta practice as a tool for personal and collective liberation. With deep roots in Buddhist and yogic teachings, Oneika specializes in making mindfulness accessible to marginalized and excluded communities.

For more information about Oneika and the resources mentioned in the episode, please visit the following links:

https://www.oneikamays.com/

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/sit-with-me-oneika-mays?variant=43876134387746

https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/event/changemakers-2026/

https://www.youtube.com/@OneikaMays

We discussed:

*Extending unconditional love to all, accountability, and the lessons of metta (lovingkindness) in Stevie Wonder’s song “As”

*Understanding meditation and yoga as trauma-informed practices, keeping your eyes on your own test, and the experience of teaching mindfulness and meditation to people that are incarcerated

*Agency, identifying as Buddhish, and the practical and timeless teachings of the Buddha

*And the importance of recognizing that anything can be your teacher and to root your practice in a safe space with safe teachers

See link in bio for YouTube channel!

#pathsofpractice #metta #steviewonder #buddhish #buddhism by @oneikamays

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a day ago

From Oneika:

Over 10 years ago, I met Pam — and we didn’t even meet in person until three or four years later. But from our very first conversation, I felt so at ease. She was open, funny, no bullshit. We connected over both having taught in carceral environments, and from there, we just stayed in touch — catching up once in a while, talking about what was going on.

I didn’t know a lot of Black yoga teachers back then, and connecting with her felt like coming home to family in the yoga world. Over the years our friendship just expanded, and we always talked about doing something together — until You Good happened.

This episode — Friendships, Lessons, and Blessings — is my way of honoring that sisterhood and how grateful I am for her. I’ve also been holding Alex Elle’s new book, The Company We Keep, close to my heart lately — it read like such a love letter to friendship, and it was in my mind and heart as we recorded this one too.
🔗 to watch on YouTube is in our bio. #newpodcastepisode #newpodcastalert #friendshipmatters #spiritualpractice by @oneikamays

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3 months ago

Stop scrolling. Breathe. See ya. 😘 by @oneikamays

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3 hours ago

Episode 145!

Oneika Mays is a yoga and meditation teacher, author, and former Mindfulness Coach at Rikers Island Correctional Facility, where she taught for over a decade. Her debut book Sit With Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation (HarperOne, March 2026) explores metta practice as a tool for personal and collective liberation. With deep roots in Buddhist and yogic teachings, Oneika specializes in making mindfulness accessible to marginalized and excluded communities.

For more information about Oneika and the resources mentioned in the episode, please visit the following links:

https://www.oneikamays.com/

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/sit-with-me-oneika-mays?variant=43876134387746

https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/event/changemakers-2026/

https://www.youtube.com/@OneikaMays

We discussed:

*Extending unconditional love to all, accountability, and the lessons of metta (lovingkindness) in Stevie Wonder’s song “As”

*Understanding meditation and yoga as trauma-informed practices, keeping your eyes on your own test, and the experience of teaching mindfulness and meditation to people that are incarcerated

*Agency, identifying as Buddhish, and the practical and timeless teachings of the Buddha

*And the importance of recognizing that anything can be your teacher and to root your practice in a safe space with safe teachers

See link in bio for YouTube channel!

#pathsofpractice #metta #steviewonder #buddhish #buddhism by @oneikamays

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a day ago

Season Two of You Good is loading….And we are so excited!!

We’ll see you on November 6. 🗓️

But in the meantime catch up on what you missed from the first season. We are on YouTube!!!

Make sure to subscribe to stay up to date. The link is in our bio. You good? ♥️🫶🏿🙏🏾✊🏾♥️

#YouGood by @oneikamays

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a day ago

Women womening.

It was nice to be with my good sis @oneikamays a couple of weeks ago - friends supporting friends.

(First slide @honestly_deelovely)

#vote #voteeveniftheyallsuck #blackwomensavedamerica #matriarchy #bewellwithpamela by @oneikamays

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a day ago

Brooklyn!! On Thursday, Nov 19, I’m joining Helen Tworkov, founder of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and author of Lotus Girl, along with the brilliant Cyrus Dunham, for a conversation about Buddhism in America.

What does practice look like when it’s passed down, pushed back on, and reinvented?

Where can practice take ALL of us? We’re getting into it. Lively, honest, and in-person.
📍 Central Library, Dweck Center, Brooklyn Public Library 🗓 Thu, Nov 19 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm 🎟 Link in bio to RSVP.
Tag a friend!
#BPLPresents #BuddhismInAmerica #Meditation #Mindfulness #SitWithMe by @oneikamays

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2 days ago

Repost from @envymckee
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Lovianhal Star Fam! How you? You good? Good, good. I’m good too. I think.

Way too much has been going on lately, to type. I chronicle some of it in this week’s StarsNotes, up now on me substack/envymckee. But the gist—a Star Sis moved. But per usual, it’s not that simple. 🫩

Anyhoo—since we’ve entered a new month, we’ve entered a new #shiftprompt—The Art of BEing BRAVE—Big Righteousness Ascending Variant Evolution—which means we’re def entering new and more rigorous coursewerk to uplevel how we navigate allllll these fuckery operas we all must endure during this time. We’ll get through it. I’m sure. You?

I’m so looking forward to tonight’s conversation with some of my absolute favorite humans on this planet, who also happen to be @starfolk_university Deans: @oneikamays
@phil_roundtree
@starlordsmom23 @redtailhawk9 @wildflower_the_astrologer @mikeshawncomedy @jasonabenefield

Per usual, class starts at 7p ET @onwurd .Bring a journal, pen et 3 frens. If you’re looking for your people to brilliantly talk through life things with in a safe space—we been here. Come thru. WuWu is best done together boo!

See you soon @ 96.1 FM in Philly/ Wurdradio.com + FB Live + Twitch

#starpeopleish #comegetfree by @oneikamays

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6 days ago

Repost from @insidewink.official
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Judgmental? What, us? Never. 👀

Okay… maybe sometimes.

In her conversation with Jean and Alison, @oneikamays asks us to get curious about those moments when judgment creeps in, and what we can do once we’re able to notice it.

Recognizing our judgments isn’t about judging ourselves for judging in the first place. (Phew! Try saying that ten times fast. ) It’s about creating room for something new.

Listen to Oneika Mays on the insidewink podcast! 🎧

#Judgment #SelfAwareness #Mindfulness #Compassion InsidewinkPodcast Insidewink by @oneikamays

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14 days ago

Tonight!! 8pm-10pm EST Go Inside: A One Love Prison Meditation Project Facilitator Training.

How we can show up for the people I side jail and prison.

With @one_love_prison_meditation @oneikamays @kevinforbid

Link in Bio at @one_love_prison_meditation by @oneikamays

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14 days ago

Repost from @one_love_prison_meditation
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My dream is that all of us who care show up for the folks inside prison. We are going to talk about how you can do that and I’m going to help you during and after this training. This will be helpful even if you want to find other ways to be involved if you can’t go inside.

Blessed to have @oneikamays and @kevinforbid joining us!

GO INSIDE: A One Love Prison Meditation Project Facilitator Training. by @oneikamays

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15 days ago