About
At SelfMAED, we specialize in hosting transformative wellness retreats designed for Black & Brown womxn seeking growth, healing, and self-discovery. Our curated spaces are crafted to provide a sanctuary from the distractions of everyday life, allowing you to focus fully on your journey towards self-connection. Created with you in mind, our retreats offer an immersive experience where mindfulness practices guide you through the journey of meditation, alignment, enlightenment, and self-discovery. Join us on this transformative path through our international retreats, mindfulness courses, and yoga asana sessions.”
Like a lotus flower we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of darkness, and radiate into the world.
The Four Pillars of becoming Self MAED
Through the pillars of Self MAED – Meditate, Align, Enlighten, Discover, sisters embark on a transformative journey of growth, healing, and self-discovery, guided by the essence of becoming Self MAED.
Meditate
Meditation is a powerful tool to add to your journey. Through mindfulness practices and introspection, you may cultivate inner peace and clarity, laying the foundation for personal growth and transformation.
Align
Self MAED guides individuals to align with their authentic selves and core values. Participants are encouraged to align their thoughts, actions, and intentions with their true essence, fostering a sense of authenticity and alignment in their lives
Enlighten
Through shared experiences, deep conversations, and spiritual practices, you gain insight into yourself and the world around you. Enlightenment emerges as individuals embrace their truths and embark on a path of self-discovery.
Discover
Embrace the Journey of Self-Exploration
Let curiosity be your guide as you navigate the path towards self-awareness, empowerment, and transformation.
Discovering one’s true essence and purpose is at the heart of the Self MAED journey.
Meet the Founder
Shannon Mae
Shannon Mae, Founder of Self MAED (Meditate, Align, Enlighten, Discover), is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown womxn on their journey of growth, healing, and self-discovery. Drawing from her own experiences, Shannon recognized the critical need for culturally supportive healing spaces in 2013 during her personal battle with anxiety and depression. While familiar with yoga spaces for healing, she found that her experiences as a Black woman navigating race-based stress were often misunderstood. Rather than focusing on her own healing, Shannon frequently found herself educating others on her unique challenges.
Determined to address this gap, Shannon created dedicated spaces for Black individuals to heal, culminating in the founding of Self MAED. As a certified Antiracist Raja Yoga teacher specializing in Social Justice and Restorative Justice, Shannon brings a holistic approach to her work. Complemented by certifications in Mindful Meditation, Mental Health First Aid, CPR, Sawabona Healing Circles, and Wellness Coaching, her expertise is anchored in both practical training and lived experience.
Shannon’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications and a Master’s in Instructional Design, providing a solid foundation for her work in curating wellness retreats and mindfulness curriculum. Through Self MAED, Shannon is committed to providing transformative experiences that empower individuals to navigate their personal journeys with authenticity, resilience, and self-compassion.
In her day to day life, Shannon has over 13 years of experience as a servant leader, Shannon has been committed to serving first-generation and low-income students in higher education. She holds the honorable title of mother, daughter, sister, and finance.
