Take a minute to turn your attention inward and take a deep breath in, and a long breath out. Now imagine a person doing yoga. What pose are they doing? What environment are they in? What is the person’s sex? What is the size and shape of their body? What color is their skin and hair?
If your brain has created an image of a white, thin, young woman wearing cute leggings in a gorgeous zen-like yoga studio, you are not alone. And if you do an internet image search for “yoga” that is what you will probably find, as well. It is the same if you search for “massage therapy” or even “meditation.” For too long, wellness spaces have been places of whiteness and privilege.
Despite the South and East Asian origins of yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage, in the United States these healing arts have been appropriated and reserved almost exclusively for white people. And yes, full disclosure, I am a thin, (relatively) young, white, cisgender woman. And yes, I am waking up a little too late to the realization that the lack of diversity in wellness spaces exists, and that it is harmful. I am waking up too late to the realization that one of the most insidious things about the yoga world is the idea that the mat is a place where everyone can breathe deeply, feel safe, be themselves, and reach a state where “we are all one big human family.” While this is a laudable philosophical goal, it frequently ignores or silences the experiences of BIPOC, both on and off the mat.
So, I am committed to uncovering my implicit biases and to helping the wellness industry overcome assumptions, biases, and lack of inclusion. I am committed to being an ally. I am committed to fighting for Black lives, because I believe Black lives don’t just matter; they should be filled with comfort, wellness and peace.
Here are a few resources I have gathered over the past few months as I attempt to understand the experiences of Black yogis and amplify the voices of Black yoga teachers and students. I hope you will help me extend this list.
READ
Yoga, Race, and Culture By Dianne Bondy
Why Nicole Cardoza Says Racism in the Wellness Industry Is Particularly Egregious—And the Time To Change Is Now
Performing Whiteness by Sarah Bellamy (from the theater world, but still feels relevant to yoga)
LISTEN
Yoga Girl – Episode “Black Lives Matter”
Yoga Land – Episode 199: “Anti-racism and Allyship with Jennifer Hutton”
CTZNWELL – Episode “Race & Resilience: Michelle C. Johnson”
WATCH
The State of Union (Yoga) Address
FOLLOW
Dianne Bondy
Rocky Heron
Michelle C Johnson
Nicole Cardoza
Ebony Smith
Jonelle Lewis
Janessa Mondestin
Davinda Davidson
Danny Fluker, Jr.
Tyrone Beverly
Michael Hays
J Miles
ACTION
Sign-up for a free daily email with concrete ways you can help dismantle white supremacy, written by yoga teacher Nicole Cardoza
Support Black-Owned Yoga Studios (here are just a few to get you started)
The Collective STL – Saint Louis, MO
Im’Unique – Denver, CO
Hive Soul Yoga – Boston, MA
Urban Asana – Brooklyn, NY
Heal Haus in Brooklyn, NY
Satya Yoga Cooperative in Denver, CO
Support Black-Owned Fitness Apparel Brands (here are just a few to get you started)
Eleven by Venus Williams
Pru Apparel
Culture Fit
Full Court
Take a course about creating inclusive yoga spaces
