My husband often jokes that I am a forever student, always wanting to learn something new, never being satisfied with what I already know. I’ll not lie, I love learning new things, trying to see the world in a slightly different way.
There are lots of ways of learning: from books, from lectures, from practical experiences. One of my favorite ways to learn is to listen to other’s stories. Ever since I was a child, I loved just sitting and listening to those around me. I used to stay up late, curled up against my mom’s side, listening to stories my parents and their friends would tell. Their experiences, their views, their life stories.
Wanting to know the whys and hows of human story was what originally encouraged me to study journalism and anthropology at university. And then eventually leading to my current profession as a healer and Yoga therapist. Because our stories are not just writings on a page, but they make us who we are and they make the world we live in and the world that will be lived in.
We’ve all heard of the Butterfly Effect. Each action, each decision taken creates ripples that shift the present and the future. Sure, we can see that as a terrifying prospect, the background premises for a horror or thriller. But, we can also see it as a beautiful reality that life is living, it is not static.
This month’s Tea with Tess is a beautiful story of resilience and creating beauty out of hardship. I originally met Pheknys J Ma’ri while participating in the Shakti Rising Summit and found her story fascinating. From ammunition specialist and domestic violence survivor to yoga teacher and dedicating her life to the African goddess and water spirit, Mami Wata, hers is a truly beautiful story of transformation.
So, without further ado, go make yourself a cuppa and come join us!
About Pheknyx J Ma’ri
Pheknyx J Ma'ri, known as The Agni Yogi, is a passionate healer, storyteller, and spiritual coach dedicated to guiding others through transformation and self-acceptance. Rising from the ashes of profound loss, homelessness, and trauma, she has reclaimed her power through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Now based in the Caribbean, she embodies resilience and reinvention, inspiring others to heal—even when it disrupts the expectations of those around them.
As a writer, she weaves psychological and yogic wisdom into her works, including Arise Phoenix and Combat to Life: From Soldier to Divine Feminine, blending personal experiences with Carl Jung’s theories to help women overcome shame, guilt, and doubt. Through her content creation, coaching, and storytelling, she reminds others that no explanation is necessary—only the courage to rise.
To catch up more with Pheknyx you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook. You can also ask any questions you might have to Pheknyx in the comments below or send me an e-mail and I’ll either pass them on to her so she can give you her reply!
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