Today we’d like to introduce you to Jazmine Hawkins.
Hi Jazmine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Oak Cliff, Texas outside of Dallas. I was raised in a religious household, the oldest of 5 siblings. Being the oldest contributed to me being empathetic and nurturing to others. With my focus being more on my younger siblings, leaving home for college in 2006 began my journey of self-discovery. When I initially arrived on Texas Southern University’s campus with no clear direction, just knowing the expectation was to go to college, and Graduate! However, I spent the first five years partying. Eventually I found myself kicked out of college while watching my friends graduate and start their careers. In 2010 is when I decided to turn my life around. Each semester I had to submit an appeal to be readmitted to school where I pursued a degree in Child and Family Development, this is where my journey of healing began. The program really helped me to accept and understand who I was based on my childhood experiences. I graduated from Texas Southern University in 2015 and my goal was to become an educator. In 2016 I decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University. While pursuing this degree, I began to develop a deeper understanding of human behavior and mental health in general. This was the catalyst for my growth and transformation. Growing up as a young black little girl from Oak Cliff, Texas, Mental Health was not something we often talked about! During my graduate program, I began to become aware of how much people can benefit from Mental Health Education and Services, especially in my community. I found that within many communities Mental Health tends to have huge stigma. While interning I worked with various demographics and realized no matter what ethnicity, age or socioeconomic status, as a people we all have the commonality of benefiting from prioritizing our mental health at some point in our lives.
Digging deeper into my own personal healing journey I was introduced to holistic practices such as meditation and yoga. In that same year 2019 I planned a graduation trip to visit Los Angeles where for the first time, I attended a meditation class. As I sat in this candle-lit room full of strangers, I closed my eyes, meditated, and was able to disconnect from the busyness of my life and felt like the world stopped. In that moment, I felt peace that I never knew existed. It was at that moment I became fascinated about what I know now to be “Mindfulness”. Fast forward to a year later, I searched for a place to meditate like my experience in LA. This is when I discovered yoga and began to personally study and practice mindfulness for myself. What is Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present and aware of where we are and what we are doing. I also began to incorporate mindfulness practices and teachings into therapy sessions. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Mindfulness helped me to personally decrease my anxiety and stress during this uncertain time. In the same year I obtained my 200 HR Yoga Teacher Certification and launched Girl, Breathe! I created Girl, Breathe to provide a safe space for women to disconnect from the busyness of the daily grind and connect with themselves and each other on a deeper level like the experience I had in LA by offering guided meditation, yoga, sound and aromatherapy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has not been the easiest, but it has been worth it. It took me eight years to complete my Bachelor’s degree, and as a result I exhausted my Financial aid my last semester. I enrolled in classes, not knowing how I would pay! However, I did not give up, I worked too hard to get there and decided I would find a way to make it work! I applied for every loan and grant available to me, lol. I literally went to the student services building every morning for three months in hopes to convince the dean to approve an alumni grant I applied for that was for college seniors. I was finally approved for the grant, but that was not enough to cover my tuition. I was then given some financial assistance from my father to cover the rest of my tuition after having to convince him that I was serious about my future! This was the tough love I needed that defined my character and taught me how to be patient, resilient and proactive. My philosophy is that “Life is a Journey, not a Destination”. Every obstacle I overcame was necessary to equip me to help others and prepare me in becoming the person I am today!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Girl, Breathe?
Girl, Breathe’s mission is to create a safe and fun space for women to connect with each other and more importantly themselves. Girl, Breathe sessions are an engaging experience that will allow for women to disconnect from the daily grind and become present by stimulating all five senses: nourishing mental and emotional strength, reducing stress, anxiety and fortifying friendships. We provide an integrated approach that incorporates guided meditation, yoga, journaling, sound and aromatherapy. “Looking inward and connecting with one’s authentic self will develop a freedom that will cultivate inner-peace”.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was the friendly, tom boyish, athletic, playful, and fun girl that loved to laugh. Growing up in the 90’s, I loved being outside, roller skating, swimming, listening to CDs on my Walkman, or writing in my diary. I was interested in sports also my parents kept me active, I pretty much tried every sport as a child, from cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, soccer, dance, and even karate. Growing up I was the sweet, friendly and inviting girl that always wanted to know why!
Contact Info:
- Email: yesgirlbreathe@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.girlbreathe.info/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Peace_ofJazMind
Image Credits
Karl Wesley Melvin Douglas Sweats
