Promotional POC Yoga flier, Minneapolis, 2015

“Controlled Burn: Queer Performance for a World on Fire” Produced by Patrick’s Cabaret and performed at Intermedia Arts 2017 Photo by Serita

“Controlled Burn: Queer Performance for a World on Fire” Produced by Patrick’s Cabaret and performed at Intermedia Arts

Serita Colette singing the voice of Princess Unicorn for NBC’s The Office new ad campaign on PeacockTV, 2021

Serita performing at the Walker Art Center, 2013

Choreography: Angharad Davies

The Subversive Sirens Synchronized Swim Team by Birchstudios

The Subversive Sirens Synchronized Swim Team by Birch Studios 2019

Sunsets promotional video for monthly dance nights hosted by Serita Colette and Ryan Stopera, 2019

Serita Colette

Serita Colette is a nationally recognized Malayali-American educator, interdisciplinary artist and founder of Digital Sunset™. Named one of Slow Factory’s Summer 2024 Changemakers, Serita’s practice intersects trauma relief, liberation, gender-race-class-sexuality, healing justice, mutual aid, bodywork and rest. Born during the monsoon in Kerala, India, Serita was raised by their mother Kathleen Lettie and auntie Frances Colette in Mni Sota Makoce (MN).

In 2015 Serita established one of the first People of Color Yoga & Ayurvedic practices in Minneapolis, MN.  Over the past 9 years Serita has led Rest & Liberation Retreats™, workshops and panels centering, Black and indigenous people, queer and trans people, and folks of color.

Roots of Practice

 Their practice in radical care began at 19 running needle exchange programs in Venice, Los Angeles at Common Ground Westside Connection. Serita worked on body awareness programs that advocated for Black trans and queer people as well as establishing safe space for youth experiencing homelessness.

At 22 Serita practiced seed sovereignty under Ernie Whiteman (rest in power) and Diane Wilson of Dream of Wild Health. Serita continues to collaborate with food justice organizations advocating for healing and mental health programming. In 2020 Serita developed and facilitated a virtual healing justice retreat alongside Elandria Williams (may she rest in peace) for The Castanea Fellowship, a national food justice organization centering Black, brown and indigenous farming, seed sovereignty and food justice.

In 2021 Serita led a Rest & Liberation retreat for Black and brown leaders in education at Reed Hastings Lone Rock Retreat Center in the Colorado rockies.

Serita curates Digital Sunset, a cross cultural event series supporting cultural engagement, strategies and intervention with tech addiction, healing and connection in real life. Modalities such as meditation, ayurveda, live events such as hiking in the san gabriel mountains, star gazing with astronomers, dharma talks and retreats. Follow her page to learn more:

Tomorrow! 10:30am rise and shine for a free 90 minute guided Rest & Liberation practice by me @genderjusticela ☀️ Our panel is sold out Sunday, but there’s still space tomorrow to purchase limited edition "Protect Trans Youth"
Tomorrow! 10:30am rise and shine for a free 90 minute guided Rest & Liberation practice by me @genderjusticela ☀️ Our panel is sold out Sunday, but there’s still space tomorrow to purchase limited edition "Protect Trans Youth" "Protect Trans Elders" shirts, build a zine for @lazinefest and take up space to receive! I love what I do- it’s always been community care for me! Thanks to my friends @genderjusticela @queenezak @thesoniag et al for cultivating space and inviting me to share my gifts 🙏🏾 sign up in my bio!
Feeling overly saturated by the wellness industry? Need space where healing is centered? Tired and burnt out needing to reset your goals? April 15 I’m hosting Digital Sunset: Rise to Awaken. Sign up in my bio! If you’re looking for a
Feeling overly saturated by the wellness industry? Need space where healing is centered? Tired and burnt out needing to reset your goals? April 15 I’m hosting Digital Sunset: Rise to Awaken. Sign up in my bio! If you’re looking for a more in-depth yoga practice that embodies it’s sibling science Ayurveda, and space where liberation and healing are at the forefront of your practice than this is the space for you. Dharma, Practice, Journal, Rest! *This is also an opportunity to connect with change makers and creatives. April 15th at Silverlake Yoga, L.A. in their newly renovated space😍 shout out to the owners for supporting my work! This will sell out! Can’t wait! 📸: @moosinguzi #yogala #ayurvedictherapy #seritayoga #restandliberation
It’s up! 🥰🔥🙏🏾 Thank you @intersectionalenvironmentalist for showcasing my words and work. It feels so powerful to be recognized by such an incredible organization of passionate, dedicated like minded beings striving alongside all of us for
It’s up! 🥰🔥🙏🏾 Thank you @intersectionalenvironmentalist for showcasing my words and work. It feels so powerful to be recognized by such an incredible organization of passionate, dedicated like minded beings striving alongside all of us for our collective freedom! More coming soon!⚡️ I will never stop advocating for space for us to believe, build and dream! Love y’all ❤️🌿 #iecontributornetwork #intersectionalenvironmentalism #seritacolette #seritayoga
My godmother has passed on 🕊️ A Swiss born feminist, herbalist, liberation worker and minister. She traveled the world and spoke 4 languages. Before she died she realized the church had no place condemning sexuality. This was such an important
My godmother has passed on 🕊️ A Swiss born feminist, herbalist, liberation worker and minister. She traveled the world and spoke 4 languages. Before she died she realized the church had no place condemning sexuality. This was such an important step in our relationship. She loved me hard. She traveled to the U.S. many times to see me and my little family. I really wanted to see her in Switzerland this year. I wish I had a chance to give her one last hug. I love you so much Roswitha. I will miss you dearly. On the anniversary of my auntie’s death, I feel peace knowing you are finally together ❤️‍🩹🙏🏾🌿
How will you be reborn? Who do you want to become? Song: “Washed Away” by @kelela Dancer: Serita #Kelela #SunPractice #dancer #SeritaColette
EDIT: SOLD OUT!✨✨✨ New Event! Introducing my new series: Digital Sunset. This round will include a meditation, nidra and dharma talk to support us in the ever-changing and consuming digital world. I believe a Digital Sunset grants us pause to
EDIT: SOLD OUT!✨✨✨ New Event! Introducing my new series: Digital Sunset. This round will include a meditation, nidra and dharma talk to support us in the ever-changing and consuming digital world. I believe a Digital Sunset grants us pause to collectively break from our screens and be in relation to our body and the living breathing world around us. It’s about consciously finding time to align with our planet and each other by reducing the glare and noise that comes with daily phone use through meditation, self inquiry, and embodiment. This is right before the Spring Equinox: an auspicious time to reclaim your being and your purpose. Swipe for details. Link in the bio. *This will sell out so grab your spot today! Shot by @qurissy MUA @makeupbynimai 🧡✨
Happy New Year! In some personal news, my mama packed everything up, let go of possessions and moved to SoCal late summer. I’m so touched by anyone’s tenacity to hold big change right now. This one felt colossal for a lot of reasons I
Happy New Year! In some personal news, my mama packed everything up, let go of possessions and moved to SoCal late summer. I’m so touched by anyone’s tenacity to hold big change right now. This one felt colossal for a lot of reasons I won’t get into, but I will say this: My mother has lived her entire life in MN. A single parent. A grocery store clerk. A Minneapolis educator for 39 years who once protested alongside a very young Prince and his family in the 1970s demanding better pay. My Capricorn rock 🐐 She left the Midwest for a dream. And her health is so much better because of it. I’m proud of her. And so happy our dream came true❤️ 📷: catching the sunset last night. Now that we live 7 minutes apart we can catch the sunset whenever we want 🥰
In the @latimes today discussing grief and love for a dear one. Grief eventually lands us in a place of seeing our humanity to love and be loved. Grateful to all the people I’ve met in Los Angeles (4 years next month!) and the ways we conti
In the @latimes today discussing grief and love for a dear one. Grief eventually lands us in a place of seeing our humanity to love and be loved. Grateful to all the people I’ve met in Los Angeles (4 years next month!) and the ways we continue to lift each other up ❤️✨
A true Hollywood icon. Rest easy P22❤️🕊️
A true Hollywood icon. Rest easy P22❤️🕊️
Thank you Tracee Stanley for the invitation to make new music and meditations on rest! @tracee_stanley created a stunning care package this season and an opportunity to return to what I love: music and meditation. I love working with women of colo
Thank you Tracee Stanley for the invitation to make new music and meditations on rest! @tracee_stanley created a stunning care package this season and an opportunity to return to what I love: music and meditation. I love working with women of color that allow my imagination and mind to stretch. I adore you and your work Tracee and I’m grateful we’ve come into each others lives 🥲🥰🙏🏾 🌌 My offering is all about the void. To receive space in nothingness and drop deeply into rest. Especially right now amidst the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. We need it! Click the bio and rest. Your Guides: Tracee Stanley Rest in Your True Nature Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz Blessings of Water Serita Colette Sunyata to Rest and Receive Shawn Moore Resting in the State of Potential Yoli Maya Yeh Under the Blanket of Ma We Rest Chanti Tacoronte-Perez Dreaming foREST Crystal Marie Higgins The Magic of Yule & Winter Solstice shea walker Ayurvedic Rituals & Recipes for Winter
Tomorrow! 10:30am rise and shine for a free 90 minute guided Rest & Liberation practice by me @genderjusticela ☀️ Our panel is sold out Sunday, but there’s still space tomorrow to purchase limited edition "Protect Trans Youth" Feeling overly saturated by the wellness industry? Need space where healing is centered? Tired and burnt out needing to reset your goals? April 15 I’m hosting Digital Sunset: Rise to Awaken. Sign up in my bio! If you’re looking for a It’s up! 🥰🔥🙏🏾 Thank you @intersectionalenvironmentalist for showcasing my words and work. It feels so powerful to be recognized by such an incredible organization of passionate, dedicated like minded beings striving alongside all of us for My godmother has passed on 🕊️ A Swiss born feminist, herbalist, liberation worker and minister. She traveled the world and spoke 4 languages. Before she died she realized the church had no place condemning sexuality. This was such an important
How will you be reborn? Who do you want to become? Song: “Washed Away” by @kelela Dancer: Serita #Kelela #SunPractice #dancer #SeritaColette
EDIT: SOLD OUT!✨✨✨ New Event! Introducing my new series: Digital Sunset. This round will include a meditation, nidra and dharma talk to support us in the ever-changing and consuming digital world. I believe a Digital Sunset grants us pause to Happy New Year! In some personal news, my mama packed everything up, let go of possessions and moved to SoCal late summer. I’m so touched by anyone’s tenacity to hold big change right now. This one felt colossal for a lot of reasons I In the @latimes today discussing grief and love for a dear one. Grief eventually lands us in a place of seeing our humanity to love and be loved. Grateful to all the people I’ve met in Los Angeles (4 years next month!) and the ways we conti A true Hollywood icon. Rest easy P22❤️🕊️ Thank you Tracee Stanley for the invitation to make new music and meditations on rest! @tracee_stanley created a stunning care package this season and an opportunity to return to what I love: music and meditation. I love working with women of colo

Press

Rolling Stone Magazine
Voyage LA Magazine
Experience Life Magazine
MSP Magazine
Star Tribune: Qanon in Yoga
Minnesota Women’s Press
TC Pride Magazine: Feature
Star Tribune
TC Pride: Op-Ed
Minnesota Monthly Magazine
 The Star Tribune: Healing Justice Feature

Featured In:

Slow Factory & For Your Viewing Pleasure
Changemakers Campaign 2024
NIKE Surf Campaign 2023
Intersectional Environmentalist 2023
Artist Mereba: “Jungle Journals” 2020
Albuquerque Journal, TC Daily Planet, MSP Mag, Minnesota Public Radio 2016-2019

Performance

Serita has performed at The Walker Art Center, First Avenue Mainroom, The Cedar Cultural Center, St. Olaf College, The Fine Line MPLS, MN Museum of American Art & “Controlled Burn for a World On Fire” at Intermedia Arts.

Serita studied dance intensively since the age of four, music since age ten, and more recently puppetry and masks. Serita performed in the City of Lakes Ballet Company until 18 and returned to Kerala at twenty-two to study Kathakali from Ashaan Shiva Das of the world renowned Kalamandalam classical arts school in India. In college Serita performed alongside Angharad Davies, Ken Gonzales Day’s “Shadowlands” touring photography exhibition, and alongside SuperGroup, Diyah Larasati, and Sister Patricia Brown.

In 2019 Serita competed in International Gay & Lesbian Aquatic Championships on the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in NYC with the Subversive Sirens synchronized swim team winning Gold and Silver medals.

Serita is currently creating voiceover for creative and commercial work while teaching in Los Angeles, leading in person outdoor workshops, retreats, making guest appearances on podcasts, at wellness events, campuses, non-profits, and firms.

 

Client Roster

Tracee Stanley’s Empowered Life Circle, Minneapolis Foundation Catalyst Initiative, Queer Hike LA, Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center, Nexxus Community Partners, Beautywell, University of St. Thomas, Pollen Midwest, Minnesota Monthly, UofM-Chicanx Studies, Monkeybear Puppetry, Marnita’s Table, Twin Cities Daily Planet, One Yoga Mpls, Bisexual Organizing Project, Modus Locus, Soul Friday Mpls, The Aliveness Project

 Leadership & Advanced Study

Sold Out QTBIPOC Rest & Liberation Retreat Sept 2022

Sold Out Yoga & Ayurveda Spring Renewal, Mpls May 2022

Sold Out Root Restore Reimagine Retreat for Women of Color 2022

QTBIPOC Rest & Liberation Retreat at Netflix Lone Rock Retreat Center 2022

Sold Out Sankalpa Workshop in Los Angeles 2022

MN Healing Conference 2021

Rest & Liberation: Trans Equity Summit 2021

BEAM: Black mental health and peer support certification 2021

3 Sold Out QTBIPOC Healing Workshops, KIPP 25th Anniversary w. guest speaker Ava Duvernay

3 Sold Out workshops at National Education Association: Conference on Racial & Social Justice
"Presence to Power," Leading two workshops and an un-conference

The first QTBIPOC Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Cohort

Seed Grantee Convening for the Catalyst Initiative

      Allina Healthcare Grant

Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies Social Justice Scholarship, UMN

Growing Power Scholarship with Will Allen, Women's Environmental Institute