Serina Payan Hazelwood {she/her}. I am a survivor of the products of colonialism and genocide. My purpose and responsibility are to decolonize and unsettle spaces, bodies, and souls as an act of resistance to the system of colonialism. As an act of resiliency, I reclaim that which was stolen, erased, forgotten, and discarded by and from my ancestors.
I identify as a queer, Indigenous-Chicana, scholar, and somatic community collaborator. I am a certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and yoga teacher dedicated to liberatory praxis through Indigenous Knowledges. My work is rooted in the cosmologies of the land. Reclamation, Ritual, and Renewal are the guiding value systems that inform the human experience of her work. My work is transdisciplinary and influenced by the Nahui Ollin Mexican Indigenous Epistemology (Way of Knowing). Anti-colonial, decolonial, and black feminist theory support the andro-heutagogy (self-determined) and Indigenous pedagogies that create collaborative and sustainable learning spaces.
I established a Sustainability in Justice Policy and a Boundary Statement for White Participants that facilitates dialog and the potential for systemic changes within predominantly and historically white institutions (PHWI). I co-authored the published article, Reimagining U.S. Federal Land Management Through Decolonization and Indigenous Value Systems in 2021. I am in the final stages of a Master’s program that will lead to a Doctorate in Sustainability in Education from Prescott College.
I am a 48-year-old daughter, mother, sister, partner, friend, and Pisces with a Gemini rising. Serina was born and raised on the Hohokam, Tohono O’odham, and Akimel O’odham sacred lands (Phoenix, Arizona). My matriarchal ancestors descend from New Mexico, Chihuahua, Mexico, and colonizing Spain. My patriarchal ancestors are settler-colonists from England, Scotland, and Ireland. The ways in which I recover from the harms of white supremacy and practice radical joy are by gardening, rollerskating, reading, cooking, and dancing (solo and with the community.)
Holistic Sexuality Educator
I am an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator and Co-Chair of the AASECT Institute. I completed the comprehensive holistic sexuality educator program at the Institute for Sexuality Education and Enlightenment. I have completed over 100 hours of supervision from Dr. Rosalyn Dischiavo, Dr. Bianca Laureano, Dr. Zelaika Hepworth Clarke, and Cincy Lee Alves. My supervision has been both traditional and focused on decolonization.
Yoga
I am an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT) with over 3000 hours of teaching experience. In 2020, I created a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Program with a Social Justice Framework for the purpose of accessibility and liberation.
Somatic Music/Drum Circles
I received the 2017 CTLE Innovation Grant Award to establish community drum circles at Glendale Community College in Arizona. I facilitated community drum circles for the senior citizen population, students, and faculty! In addition to academic leadership, I facilitated monthly full moon drum circles and hikes in collaboration with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation with over 200 participants. I facilitate circles at memory-care adult centers, schools and universities, hospitals, and sacred events.
Publications and Writings
Jacobs, L. A., Payan Hazelwood, S., Avery, C. B., & Sangster- Biye, C. (2021). Reimagining U.S. federal land management through decolonization and Indigenous value systems. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. doi:10.18666/JPRA-2021-10973
Payan Hazelwood, S. (2020). Disenfranchised Grief: Uranium Poisoning on Indigenous Lands in the United States [Essay]. https://w.taskstream.com/ts/payanhazelwood/SerinaPayanHazelwood.html/uczjzbzt00ufzczqzlzkzgzlzi
Payan Hazelwood, S. (2020). The History of Yoga and the Impact of Colonization in the United States [Thesis]. https://w.taskstream.com/ts/payanhazelwood/SerinaPayanHazelwood.html/k7eef6eu00kffafgfaf8ecfgfs
Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts, Prescott College: Interdisciplinary degree with a concentration in Social Justice + Sexuality + Gender
- Associate of Arts Degree, Glendale Community College: Religious Studies/Communications
- 500-ERYT, YAECP Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance
- Certified Holistic Sex Educator, Institute for Sexuality Education & Enlightenment
- Certified Drum Circle Facilitator, Jim Donnovan, Inc.
- Fitness and Wellness Instructor certified through: Zumba, Inc, RealRyder Cycling, FitTour, and SilverSneakers
