Ancestral Cleansing
Juanita Martin is an Intuitive Reiki Master and Trainer, Vibrational Sound Therapist, Crystal Healer and Artist.
File: Yoga With The Ohmies S01E04
Duration: 25:19
Jewell Singletary: My next guest to meet me on the mat is Juanita Martin. Juanita is intuitive, Reiki Master and trainer, vibrational sound therapist, crystal healer, and artist. Juanita's intuitive gifts are truly transformative and it was my honor to welcome her inside The Ohmie studio.
Let's just kick things off with your cache of healing tools from Reiki, crystal healing, sound baths, yoga. What started you on this journey into all things holistic healing?
Juanita Martin: It's so funny because, you know, sometimes I forget what my impetus was. And recently I was having a conversation with somebody, I can't remember who it was. And then I trailed it back to why I really do this and actually started from birth. And let me tell you what that means. So my mom was 23 when she had me, right and as soon as she had me, her health got really bad for whatever reason, you know, she started with, asthma, heart disease and, you know, a bevy of other things. But for me, I am the healthiest person in my family. Like I never really get sick. I don't have any of the hereditary diseases that my other siblings have or anything like that. And I very often think that my mom somehow cleansed me as I was being birthed. And she took on that bat. And so, you know, the whole ancestral thing, but anyway, that's what I believe.
Jewell Singletary: Woo. Can we just pause right there for a moment? You got cleansed right out your Mama's womb, come on now!
Juanita Martin: Right out the womb-like, I mean when I tell you, my brother has asthma, my sister has blood pressure, sugar, and this. Like all of those hereditary diseases all through my family, but I have not been touched. And no, I do take care of myself too, so just like, I don't take it for granted. But part of that is that you know, from birth, I've always seen my mother sick. I've never not seen her sick and we grew up on welfare. And so thereby I, and this is, again, my belief long-term, is that they were using her as a Guinea pig, with all this but all this stupid ass, excuse me, stupid medications.
Jewell Singletary: You can cuss on here if you want to, it's all good. That's so real. That's something that I've always been cognizant of with, I've been living with lupus for almost 30 years now, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. And I remember even as a young girl, 12, 13 years old like I don't know what all these medications are going to do to my body long term. if you're talking about, I have to live with this illness for the rest of my life, there has to be another way than me putting these manufactured products into my body to quote-unquote, “make me feel better.” You should not really be curing anything.
Juanita Martin: Exactly, exactly. And if these medications are made from herbs and stuff and you're duplicating their, or replicating what they do, why can't we just use the herbs?
Jewell Singletary: Right.
Juanita Martin: Like, again, this is stuff that I thought about later in life, but I realized that I've always seen my mother taking the medication for the medication, for the medication, for the other medication. Right, and so that's something that, you know, stuck with me and I didn't even realize what it was engendering in me long-term. But I've always seen that and always been turned off by medicine. So even now today, if I go into a new doctor's office and the first thing he does is grab his prescription pad, we know that he can never be my doctor.
Jewell Singletary: Right.
Juanita Martin: Thank you. I go in telling them, okay, this is my choices. If you can tell me how to do this naturally, whether it's changing my intake, taking a new herb, or something like that, then we are going to be really good together. But if you're going to write a prescription, then we can't really move forward.
Jewell Singletary: Yeah, yeah. To that point, I want my doctors to sit and take their time to have a very thorough intake. Ask me about my whole life story and everything to do with my health history is sitting right here in front of you today. And if you rush through that then you're not the doctor for me either.
Juanita Martin: That's It. And the thing is that I don't care what, what the medical industry says. Nobody knows your body like your body. Everybody is different and this is part of the holistic approach. Is that we are all different. And so what I expect from one person, I will not expect from another. And so I say, oh, that was my impetus to really look at this and look at it very closely and instill that in my life and everybody around me for that matter. So what I did late in life and it took me a long time to get to this. I think I was in my forties. Maybe when I, yeah, when I first went back to school to study, I mean, I had my Reiki mastership and all of that already, but I still hadn't made that scientific connection yet. Right and so I went and I took my BA training at Goddard College in Vermont and there because you can actually write your own curriculum. I was able to delve even deeper into energetics and how they work. And that's where I really feel like I built my competence because my BA is in health arts and science, and those are my, the most important things to me, right. And so it was such a beautiful fit, I was able to delve into the work that I needed to delve into, to really give myself the confidence and the understanding that I needed. And that's how I got to Reiki. Initially, again, I was already a Reiki master teacher, but that's how I got really seated in Reiki. I would say,
Jewell Singletary: I love it. I want to circle back to this because you brought it up. Just speaking about your mom and her passing down healing to you from her womb.
Juanita Martin: Yes.
Jewell Singletary: I know you're a mom as well, any intentional choices that you made to pass down healing to your son and not pass down trauma?
Juanita Martin [00:06:11]: Absolutely. So maybe it's a couple of things. I'm going to go back to this a little bit first because we were talking about ancestral passing on or cleansing if you will. Well, I had asthma as a child and it would only be activated if I ate the wrong thing or if I ran around too much and was around too much deaths. Right, and I had my son very early, I was 16 years old when I had my son. And right after my son was born, my asthma disappeared, again. Like, I don't know what happens in the womb, but something happens in the womb. Now he was born with asthma, very light asthma. By the time he was six, it was totally gone. So I don't know what happens, but the universe is just like smiling down on me. And I'm so, so grateful.
Jewell Singletary: I love that.
Juanita Martin: Exactly, exactly. I'm sorry. And of course, I got completely off track. And what was the question again?
Jewell Singletary: No, that is all good. I asked were there intentional choices that you made so that you didn't pass on trauma to your son when you were passing down.
Juanita Martin: There were, very much, there were lifestyle choices that I changed when I had my son, and we finally got out on our own. There were lifestyle changes that I made in our lives. There was a communication level that didn't exist with my mom and I. I love my mom dearly, we would talk every day, but we didn't talk about important stuff. If that makes sense, you know.
Jewell Singletary: Absolutely.
Juanita Martin: We talked about all sorts of other things, but with my son and I really feel like my son was my father in my past life, a whole other subject, but we have a level of communication where we talk about everything. And some of the things we talk about, people are like really, you allow your son to talk about that? From a very early age, I was like, you can tell me anything, I will not judge you. But I will tell you the pros and the cons and it's up to you to make decisions.
Jewell Singletary: Yeah.
Juanita Martin: Yeah.
Jewell Singletary: I love that. I know the relationship is so different, mother to daughter versus mother to son. I think it is so important that we have those open conversations with our parents if they're open to it, but if not adults in our lives. And how important young people to have that space, I mean, really at any age in your life, you need space to talk about your feelings. What are you experiencing? What are you going through? And someone to hear and receive that is really important.
Juanita Martin: Exactly and to, you know, layout the pros and cons and as much as you understand them, because you can only speak from your own paradigm obviously, but allow them to make some decisions. So that later in life they're ready for these decisions. I raised my son, just like I would raise a girl, everything that a girl could do, he could do. He actually had to teach his wife how to cook, how to clean all that. Because my thing is, you should want somebody in your life, not need somebody in your life.
Jewell Singletary: Right. Right.
Juanita Martin: You know? So all of that
Jewell Singletary: Anyway, like we're all human beings we got to eat. You got to learn how to fend for yourself.
Juanita Martin: Exactly. Unfortunately, I think that you know, a lot of people really coddle their sons. And I think in this day and age as a black man, no, you need to know everything I know and more.
Jewell Singletary: Yes, yes. And more.
Juanita Martin: Like I said, I was a very young mother, that helped me to take on responsibility of course, and helped me to change my lifestyle quite frankly. I didn't understand why I was doing it at the time, but I'm glad I did. In retrospect, I just wanted open communication because very often, I didn't feel like I could talk about certain things. So, that was really important to me and still is, very important to me and I have the same relationship with my grandchildren as well.
Jewell Singletary: I love that. Oh, you got some grandbabies too. How many grandbabies?
Juanita Martin: I do, I have two, my granddaughter's going to college next year.
Jewell Singletary: Oh my God. your grandbaby is grown.
Juanita Martin: Exactly, the boy is 11. So yeah, exactly.
Jewell Singletary: What do they call you?
Juanita Martin: They call me grandma and I love it. I love it.
Jewell Singletary: So sweet. So sweet. So let's talk a little bit about yoga because you have a very unique introduction to yoga. Your start in yoga-teacher training was like your first introduction to yoga.
Juanita Martin: Pretty much. So here's the thing I've seen yoga around and the way that I found yoga up until I took the class, or I had the first conversation about the class was that it was more of an exercise than an energetic practice.
Jewell Singletary: Yeah.
Juanita Martin: And so, I had no connection to that cause I don't want to be still personally. I prefer Zumba, I like moving, I like dancing. So I don't want to get exercise by, you know, holding a pose. But once I talked to Nancy before I signed up and she really explained to me the whole energy connection, I was like, okay, good. That's, what I really needed to commit to learning yoga. And now I'm just finishing up a restorative 80-hour class with, Jillian Pransky because I want to make that part of my practice as well.
Jewell Singletary: Restorative yoga is my favorite. Anyway, if you have not tried restorative yoga. You are missing out on life and your relaxation. Take a restorative yoga class ASAP, please. Y'all.
Juanita Martin: Yes, it is like the best thing. I mean it fits so well in with my Reiki, vibrational sounds, crystals, restorative, I'm like, I'm ‘zenning; these folks out.
Jewell Singletary: Get all your healing. Yes,
Juanita Martin: Exactly, exactly.
Jewell Singletary: I love that. You had another career path prior to healing. Yes?
Juanita Martin: Oh yes. So I was, I was in the nonprofit world for 23 years and maybe the last five or six of those years, I started my, my Reiki practice. And so I was doing both for several years and I, and now some thinking about five years before I retired, I was 50 years old. And so I decided somewhere within that, that, you know, I needed to stop doing non-profit although I was paying very, very well, but I needed to do what I loved. And so I decided at 55. that's it, I'm leaving. I'm going to do me. I'm going to do what really helps me to get out of the bed every morning. Like I don't have a problem waking up every day, knowing that what I'm doing, whether it's just working on a database in the background, it's going to create healing for somebody at some point. And primarily, what I know is that it’s part of my walk-in life to change the world, one person, at a time. And that sounds like I have a big head. I really don't, but I know that touching one individual, is going to touch another individual, is going to touch another individual. And that's so important to me.
Jewell Singletary: Right, it becomes like a little chain of healing.
Juanita Martin: Yes, exactly. One of the things that I committed to when I started my business was that I would teach people in underserved areas. So that they can then pay it forward, teach and treat people in those same underserved areas. And to date, I've only found one organization that truly believes in that. And so I'm always open to finding other organizations, you know, if you know of anything, I would love to hear about it.
Jewell Singletary: Yes. For sure I'll definitely comb the brain and think of some things. I'm sure there's some people that I can connect you with for sure. I hate the narrative, that life is over after 25. It's like, no.
Juanita Martin: You're just getting started.
Jewell Singletary: You can shift and change at any point, if something that you are called to do, follow that path, chase that passion, everything will work itself out. If you are on your purpose, led path, everything will fall into place.
Juanita Martin: Exactly. And this is the thing, I've studied everything from accounting to psychology, to medical working to like so many things before I understood what I was supposed to do. Again, I was in my forties before I started working on my BA because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. But at that point, I finally saw the light and understood what I needed to do and understood what I needed to do to get there. And that was in my forties. Now at 60, I am riding high and loving it, loving it.
Jewell Singletary: I love it. I love it. I love it. for you keep embracing life.
Juanita Martin: Thank you.
Jewell Singletary: I have one last official question before we get to the final segment of this show. Do you have a favorite healing tool or combo of healing tools that you use as your go-to?
Juanita Martin: Oh, I got so many, so many. Okay. So first and foremost is just, and it's going to sound crazy. Just being still yes. Just being still. That is such a huge tool that we don't use. Just stop everything, turn everything off. Be quiet with yourself, go within. Just have a breath.
Jewell Singletary: Yes.
Juanita Martin: That's my first tool, my next tool, I would say are crystals, two, in particular, that would be selenite, which cleanses the aura of people, places, and things. I mean, I teach a whole class on this one stone, it's amaze-balls. Selenite, and then black Tourmaline, something to keep us grounded, especially the way we're living right now. We need to stay as grounded as possible girl because things are "cray". So those, and then, of course, my bowls, I love my bowl because you know what? I can change a whole situation. Just sort of few strokes of the bowl
Jewell Singletary: Yes. Oh my goodness. We didn't even get to talk about crystal healing, sound healing, and vibrational healing, and all of that.
Juanita Martin: Yes, yes.
Jewell Singletary: I love my bowls. My favorite thing now is if I'm stressed in a zoom meeting, I will put myself on mute, turn my video off and I'll be dinging in my bowls in the background.
Juanita Martin: I love it. Exactly.
Jewell Singletary: Sound healing bowls for anyone that doesn't know, I purchased mine from Juanita and they are just, they're amazing healing tools.
Juanita Martin [00:17:40]: And the way that sound works, just so people will know, is that what sound does sound is sort of like a seductress, it seduces stress, right? Once sound enters your body stress can't help but recognize it. Right, and as stress recognize it, sounds start to act like a pied piper and it takes it right down, down and out of your body. And before you know it, you're just relaxed and it's just thinning out. And vibrational sound is just amazing. I love giving sound baths.
Jewell Singletary: Yes. Hits your body on a cellular level, those vibrational frequencies. Ooh, it is so powerful.
Juanita Martin: It truly is, it's simple, but oh my God, amazing. You know, you asked about what are my go-to, and those are the physical go-tos, but one of the things that I really absolutely enjoy about my work is the teaching side and you know, certifying new Reiki practitioners. And just to see how they grow from when I first meet them until they just sort of grow their own wings and just soar and the way that people come into themselves. I just, I am so appreciative of witnessing that.
Jewell Singletary: Yeah. That was… I am not ready for level two and level three yet.
Juanita Martin: Everything in its time, absolutely.
Jewell Singletary: My level one training with you was so powerful. I don't even have the words for it. The amount of energy that was in the room and the fact that I had sit down and sit out, like this is too much! And, it was a really powerful way, not too much in a negative sense. You could tell there was forceful energy moving throughout that room.
Juanita Martin: Absolutely. People that were releasing things and things are just like, Ooh, it was beautiful, beautiful group. Yes. I remember so well. And you, aren't the only one that had to sit down. So yeah, I remember.
Jewell Singletary: That was such a dope experience and thanks to the universe, the beautiful divine spirit energy. I remembered what I wanted to say about yoga earlier with that. When you had seen on Instagram or social media, that yoga was more about the physical and the people were not conveying the spiritual aspect of yoga. One of the reasons why I named this podcast Yoga Wit The Ohmies is because I love the true essence and meaning of yoga to be present in the moment. So to be present with people that I enjoy having conversation with and just want to learn and know more about, yeah. That's the part of yoga that I enjoy and I want to spread.
Juanita Martin: Exactly beautiful. Beautiful. So we were basically coming at it from the same space. So that's, that's gorgeous. That's gorgeous. Yeah.
Jewell Singletary: We're at the end of our time together, but I close all of these out in the same way. So I have an Ohmies questionnaire. It does not have a name yet. My listeners will help me come up with a name. All of the Ohmies that sit with me, I asked these same 10 questions. Rapid-fire questions, quick, one word, short phrase answers. Don't think too much about them. Have fun with it.
Juanita Martin: I love it.
Jewell Singletary: Okay. We'll get started, take a breath. Describe your personal style in one word?
Juanita Martin: Funky with class.
Jewell Singletary: What’s one thing you wish you can change about the world?
Juanita Martin: The hatred.
Jewell Singletary: What brings you joy?
Juanita Martin: Creating.
Jewell Singletary: What makes you cry?
Juanita Martin: Seeing people in pain.
Jewell Singletary: What type of impact do you want to have on this Earth?
Juanita Martin: I want people to learn how to love each other, regardless.
Jewell Singletary: What's your favorite thing about being black?
Juanita Martin: Cause we are so damn funky.
Jewell Singletary: Yes. What do you hope for your community?
Juanita Martin: Just that people continue to love on each other and not judge.
Jewell Singletary: What do you love most about yourself?
Juanita Martin: That I am open to receiving people just as they are.
Jewell Singletary: What's your favorite book?
Juanita Martin: Right now? Crystals and Ancestors, The connection.
Jewell Singletary: Oh, okay. And our last question, The soundtrack of your life. Give me some songs, some artists, some genres of music.
Juanita Martin: Okay, oh my God. So the first thing that came to mind was, Earth, Wind & Fire.
Jewell Singletary: Come on with it.
Juanita Martin: Patti LaBelle. Oh my God. Rock with you. What? Rock Creek Park like, oh my God. Serious. Serious house, like booming bass in a house. Oh my God.
Jewell Singletary: Yes.
Juanita Martin: And then on the other side of that, Josh Stone a little chill and then some serious blues with some vodka and tonic water with a twist of lime.
Jewell Singletary: Come on, that's a whole vibe, that's a whole vibe.
Juanita Martin: Oh it is a vibe, it's absolutely a vibe.
Jewell Singletary: I love it.
Juanita Martin: And then last but not least, ain’t no stopping us now.
Jewell Singletary: Come on, perfect notes to end on, cause we on the move. We got the groove.
Juanita Martin: Yeah, yes
Jewell Singletary: Oh, you are so beautiful. Thank you.
Juanita Martin: Aww. Thank you so much. This is such a blast.
Jewell Singletary: I enjoy your time. Your energy, your spirit, your soul. I so appreciate you.
Juanita Martin: And same, right back at you, darling.
Jewell Singletary: Ms. Juanita, where can our listeners find you? Where can they support your business, your social media, let them know.
Juanita Martin: Absolutely. So first and foremost, you can find my website that just relaunched. It is Nitjuan Designs. That's N I T, J U A N, which is Juanita flipped designs. D E S I G N S.com. And you can also find me on social media at Nitjuan Designs, there I do a crystal live sale on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 PM. And you can also find me at your Reiki relief on Instagram. I actually just added both your regular relief and Nitjuan Designs into one website and that's called the twin designs. So you can find everything out about me there. I have several different kinds of classes, both metaphysical and creative.
Jewell Singletary: Yes. I love it. And I will link all of those websites in the show notes so you can find her. Don't worry.
Juanita Martin: Thank you.
Jewell Singletary: Thank you, I appreciate you, enjoy the rest of your week. We'll definitely stay in contact, this won't be the last.
Juanita Martin: Absolutely Darling. Thank you again. I appreciate you.
Jewell Singletary: Bye-bye.
Juanita Martin: Bye-bye
