Kataushia J. Thomas (she/ her)

I came to know about ICY in 2018 when I was searching for a community. I had recently moved back to Indianapolis from Arizona where I had a twice weekly practice at a yoga studio. When I happened upon ICY’s practice I was impressed. People were actually talking to one another. People actually took time to talk to you and know you. I met some really great souls and decided to stick around to see if the feeling of inclusion was real. To my surprise, it was. I was warmly welcomed.

My practice is a very personal spiritual practice for me. It’s not just about movement, it's the combination of stillness that connects practice to spirituality.

I am really really here because first, I want to be. I want to be a part of a community that loves people in general. That does not practice the “norm”. That is inclusive and equitable. I am here because I have chosen my family.

My role in the village is practice leader, co-chair, backwhacker, and anything else that I can apply my time and talent to. If I am given an assignment, I do it to the best of my ability to benefit the village. So if there’s dishes to wash after a retreat meal, I wash them. If I need to sweep the practice area, I sweep it. My role in the village is important as each one of us plays a part in the big picture.

I spend my time at the market. I launched a candle company in 2022 and it has been flourishing. I spend a lot of time in the community meeting people and selling candles and like products. On days that I am not at the market, I am reading, writing, at the gym and sometimes sleeping. I have to get my rest because my weeks are so jam packed.

I enjoy spending time with my partner mostly. Any moment I get to laugh with him or talk about our day, delights me. I enjoy nice quiet nights at home. I am a homebody.