10 Black Educators To Learn From and Listen To at the Intersection of Wellness and Antiracism.
Learn from and listen to the following Black Wellness Educators who are using their platform to educate, inform, and remind us that dismantling racism and white supremacy is a major part of health, wellness, and true liberation.
]]>In the health and wellness space, self-reflection on whiteness, white supremacy, anti-blackness, and antiracism is deeply necessary. Racial inequality and injustice are issues impacting the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health of both Black and white people. While there is no comparison with the effects of racism on Black people, white people are dehumanized by allowing both individual acts and systemic racism to continue, whether by ignorance, apathy, inaction or complicity.
Learn from and listen to the following Black Wellness Educators who are using their platform to educate, inform, and remind us that dismantling racism and white supremacy, both in the world and in ourselves, is a major part of health, wellness, and true liberation.
Tina Strawn, Speaking of Racism
Please feel free to comment and list your favorite Black Wellness Educator to follow below.
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"Without Suffering, There'd Be No Compassion." Nicholas Spark
Grab a cup of coffee or tea and pull up to this conversation I had with Laura Halpin. I discuss intergenerational trauma, transforming pain, healing, why yoga is problematic, and why NOW, more than ever, it is important to not only lean into uncomfortable conversations about racism, but to take Compassionate Action.
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the goddess Isis
and her magical powers
connect wings of flight
to a green scarab.
because growth requires
movement.
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The yoga principle Ishvara Pranidhana encourages you to surrender and live in the moment, to understand rhythm and ritual, to cultivate a deep and trusting relationship with the universe, and to devote yourself to a Higher Purpose.
Right now, more than ever, the universe is asking us to slow down and surrender to what is...
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So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo offers a clear and honest conversation about race. It's a great starting point for those waking up to racism and affirming for those of us who experience it daily.
How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi is essential for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism and begin taking action toward a just and equitable society.
White Ally: A Guide to Cultivating a Deeply Spiritual AntiRacism Practice, written by me, Sonia Roberts. This book will help you develop an antiracism practice through a spiritual lens. Using the 10 yogic principles as a framework, you learn how to take compassionate action and begin practicing antiracism.
Awareness is not enough, compassionate action is necessary to disrupt, dismantle and end racism.
And now it's time to move Black culture into the popular consciousness. Reimagining the past and envisioning what can be...
As always, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to comment below.
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Celebrate the cultural diversity of communities, while seeking to create positive and equitable change. These products were developed sustainably to benefit African communities.
The beautiful luxe wraps are handmade by artisans in Africa. The artisans of Sammy Ethiopia weave Ethiopian cotton into two wide panels, then add a hand-stitched center seam to create an expansive gabi body shawl. A gabi can be used as a shawl. throw, tablecloth or baby carrier.
Choose from 3 colors: seaglass, tangerine, and lemon.
The Natural Cotton Ethiopian Wrap Shawl, is handmade from Ethiopian cotton by the skilled artisans of Trio Craft in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia. A traditional wrap worn commonly in Ethiopia, each shawl is gently adorned with a simple banded edge and braided fringe.
The stylish Mudcloth & Leather Wallet is handcrafted from durable leather and mudcloth by a wonderful group of textile artisans in Bamako, Mali, who shine at incorporating contemporary mudcloth into their designs.
The women of F.R.E.E. (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) are using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, as well as silver mined up-country to create eye-catching wearable art. Young, self-taught Zambian women are defying gender norms as metalsmiths.
Tell us: Do you have a favorite from this list? As always, we would love to hear from you.
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Inside of you is something you need to express; for Black people it is a way of being heard and seen in a world that has forgotten and ignored us and our gifts. When you transform suffering into a gift for the collective good, you inspire hope and harmony. It is a simple act of consciously and joyfully returning to ritual.
Rituals are tools that give us freedom, direction and purpose. Cultivate new rituals or daily habits that help you to transform from the inside out.
Wake up. Smile. Take a deep cleansing breath. Allow your heart to expand. Pause and listen. Breathe gently. Allow yourself to connect to the Universe, Nature, Higher Power, or God. Allow love into your heart. Allow magic into your life.
Are you living true to yourself? What practices can you use to deepen the connection to your inner being?
Do you have a ritual or creative daily habit? If so, what is your ritual? As always, we’d love to hear from you!
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Here are a list of some of the amazing businesses I love and support.
BEAUTY
Damone Roberts, The Brow King has shaped the brows of icons like Madonna, Oprah, and Beyonce. His projects now also include his salon, speaking engagements, his Starplucker podcast, and much more. Check out his on-line store to beautify your brows.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bethanie Hines invites you to be seen. Bethanie Hines is a self-taught portrait photographer based in Oakland, California. She is the official photographer for the annual Life is Living Festival, curator and sole artist of the Intimacy with Strangers exhibit (Impact Hub: Oakland,CA), and contributing artist in the Wearing Spirit exhibit (Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, NY). She has captured some of the Bay Area’s leading artists, change-makers and culture keepers, and has been featured in magazines across the country and Latin America. A committed yogi, Hines is also a devoted wife and proud mother of three children who drive her to find joy in both the exceptional and the ordinary.
HANDMADE JEWELRY
Andy Drew II A global aesthetic combining mixed media arts ideas and jewelry concepts into wearable art. Andy's art and jewelry is unique, elegant, fashion forward and sometimes whimsical.
Lumenrose Hand crafted jewelry made with thoughtfully sourced metals and stones. Erika's work is graceful, elegant and empowering. She cares deeply about social and racial justice. Erika will periodically create special designs, the sales of which she donates to organizations doing important work.
CLOTHING & MORE
Big Chop & Accessories A fun and fashionable store for women.
Awakened Love Warrior: See Difference and Appreciate It. Awakened Love Warrior (ALW) is a lifestyle brand and online store based in the Bay Area, California. Awakened Love Warrior was sparked by a movement within the yoga and spiritual community, to first awaken to your true self and the truth of the world and then connect to a higher purpose or compassionate action. A deepened yoga practice urges you to create a world where people of all races, religions, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, gender identities and abilities are seen as human beings and treated equally. Awakened Love Warrior is led by its founder, Sonia Roberts, who formed the company in 2018, with the aim of creating yoga inspired products, workshops and events that celebrate our difference and promote compassionate action.
WELLNESS & LIFE FULFILLMENT
Elevate Your Now Kysha Mitchell, a Success Coach & Speaker, guides women to recognize, make time for and take ACTION on what life is calling them to be. Check out her 10 Days of Self Love E-book for only $5 or sign up for a private Vision Board Party.
Happy shopping and making a impact in some way...
Leave a comment with your business or a business you love and support.
Share this article with a friend to spread love in action.
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was my journey
of self acceptance,
self love,
of resistance.
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was my journey
of self acceptance,
self love,
of resistance.
See me.
See Africa.
See Black American.
See beauty.
I didn’t think she would
follow me,
with her own loc journey
to navigate,
of
see
difference
and
appreciate
it.
]]>Shop our Love in Action apparel - Love in action invites you to become more fully yourself, as you allow others to do the same.
The Love In Action Crop Hoodie reminds us to not only love in words, but Love In Action. Take compassionate action with The Love In Action crop hoodie featuring raw hem and matching drawstrings. This hoodie is bound to become a true favorite.
The Let Equality Bloom Unisex Tank is a classic, all-purpose unisex tank. Stand out and stand up for equality in this soft and comfortable tank.
California knows how to party and keep warm in the California Love Unisex Hoodie. Everyone needs a cozy go-to hoodie to curl up in, so go for one that's soft, stylish and represents California Love. It's the perfect choice and flattering for both men and women.
Keep your head warm in the be WILD Embroidered Beanie. The perfect beanie has arrived! The WILD Embroidered Beanie has a snug fit that ensures you're going to feel cozy and warm whatever you're doing.
Don't forget about the celebration of KWANZAA this holiday season.
The KWANZAA Unisex Tee is in celebration of Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration of life from December 26th to January 1st. Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that means "first" and signifies the first fruits of the harvest.
Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home.
The Seven Principles celebrated daily are: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
The tee is comfortable and flattering for both men and women.
*50% of profits for the KWANZAA Unisex Tee supports the Equal Justice Institute.
And one my favorite is from our Superhero Collection. Coffee Gives Me Superpowers Glossy Magic Mug. The COFFEE gives me SUPERPOWERS Glossy Magic Mug adds a little magic to your morning routine. It appears black when cold, but reveals the text when exposed to hot liquids. This mug would make a great gift for your family or friends.
Happy shopping!
If you have any questions or requests leave a comment below.
Share this article with a friend to spread love in action.]]>Represent using the PRIDE Tote Bag. It is gorgeous, spacious and will help you carry around everything that matters. The photo was taken by Jon Tyson and we added the PRIDE text down the side of the bag.
The Somewhere Over the Binary Unisex Tank is a great way to show your pride, celebrate difference, and show your acceptance of gender fluidity. We can break down the barriers and limitations often placed on us because of our gender.
A portion of the profits for this tote and all of the items in our Pride Collection supports the Transgender Law Center.
Comments or questions? Leave them in the comments below.
Share this article with a friend to spread love in action.
]]>Love in action invites you to become more fully yourself, as you allow others to do the same. Love in action is about choosing compassionate action — one person, one life, one small compassionate act at a time.
The Love In Action Crop Hoodie reminds us to not only love in words, but Love In Action.
The MudCloth Print Fanny Pack is the ultimate accessory for people on the go.
Mudcloth is a traditional African fabric. Each piece of mudcloth is unique and has a story to tell. The symbols, arrangements, color and shape, all reveal different secrets. The secret language of the cloth is passed down from mother to daughter to celebrate important life events.
Represent in the Awakened Love Warrior Logo Tee. Join the movement of compassionate action
*50% of profits for the ALW Tee support the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University. Their mission is to produce rigorous and accessible research that can support the innovation and enactment of antiracist public policies at the local, state, and national level.
]]>At Awakened Love Warrior, our calling is to motivate and inspire compassionate action in the yoga community and beyond. Our mission is to embrace and celebrate our differences. We offer workshops and products to advance this goal.
For every item sold, we donate a percentage of profits to the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University. Their mission is to produce rigorous and accessible research that can support the innovation and enactment of antiracist public policies at the local, state, and national level.
A portion of our proceeds also support additional organizations that we are passionate about such as Equal Justice Institute and Transgender Law Center.
]]>I refused to wear anything in the girls section.
Booty shorts, crop tops and sparkles everywhere
were just
not
my
thing.
]]>fast and fierce.
So quick, my shoulders got stuck
and they had to do the McRoberts maneuver
so I could
squeeze
out
of my mommy.
I took my first steps at 8 months old,
began running shortly after that,
and haven’t stopped yet.
In preschool,
when I was star of the week,
I brought brown brown baby
AND my light saber to share.
When I was three,
I told everyone to call me Jack
but I also liked the name Alexia.
By the time I was five,
I refused to wear anything in the girls section.
Booty shorts, crop tops and sparkles everywhere
were just
not
my
thing.
My mom finally bought me
basketball shorts,
comfortable tees
and Nike or Curry shoes.
I’ve always loved playing with the boys
because I love sports.
For some reason,
if you have friends that are boys,
some adults think that makes you boyfriend & girlfriend.
Pssst, I’m in second grade,
that is really shameful.
My dad never called me his little princess.
I don’t think it was a conscious choice.
He has a way of seeing people
and it was like,
he
sees
me.
I’m more of a super hero
or warrior
or ninja.
In first grade,
I played basketball in a league
and it drove my mom crazy
because sometimes our all girl team
had to play an all boy team.
Now girls,
can ball.
I can dribble down the court and get a lay up.
One time I shot a turnaround fade away,
swoosh,
and I’m pretty good at defense.
But the teams were not evenly balanced on a skill level
and our team would get demolished.
My mom said, Why don’t they make the league co-ed?
Right away the other moms said, Oh, the boys won’t pass to girls.
My mom’s facial expression in response was hilarious.
I know she was mad.
She said, They better learn.
My brother is older and his team was co-ed.
The fiercest girl on his team was the smallest.
She had no fear.
And the tallest, strongest girl on his team was snatching all the rebounds.
My dad said she just needed to work on her shot.
I pretty much only play with boys at recess.
My best friends are boys
and they include me and pass the ball to me.
One time, my friend laughed at me
when I was learning how to play kick back,
but now I can kick the ball further and higher than him.
I just never give up when I want to learn something.
All of these boys play with me at school
and my brother plays with girls on his team.
So, why do mothers think boys won’t pass to girls?
Why don’t they teach them to pass to girls and include girls?
I sometimes see those bumper stickers, “Boy Mom.”
People think boys and girls are so different
and treat us differently,
but ultimately there is no female or male,
only Being.
It’s kind of like how my mom tries to explain that
there is no Black or white race,
but people are treated differently
because of their race.
Boys and girls can be liberated from their gender
if parents would just get out of the way
and let us
Be.
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This is a book about a deepened yoga practice, a spiritual practice, of intense self-inquiry, of examining who you are and your racial identity. Below is a preview from the book.
]]>This is a book about a deepened yoga practice, a spiritual practice, of intense self-inquiry, of examining who you are and your racial identity. Below is a preview from the book.
My granddaddy called me “yellow girl.” As a young child, I never understood why. I didn’t want to be different than him, or my brother, or my sister, or anyone. I didn’t want to be singled out or alienated. In middle school one day, my white friend said, “Well, you’re not really Black.” And I thought, why not? What is Black? Am I not Black because I don’t ‘look Black,’ ‘talk Black,’ or ‘act Black?’ This demeaning, offensive and backhanded compliment stripped away the race from which I had come. Being a light-skinned Black woman forces me into racial ambiguity. I live in between races. However, I identify as Black. It’s what I experience in the world, it’s how I choose to identify and it’s what I feel in my heart. I recognize my light-skin privilege and I embrace my Blackness.
I was born in 1976 in Redwood City, California, to a white race mother of Mexican and Spanish descent and an African American father. Interracial marriage, once outlawed in the United States of America, became legal in the entire United States in 1967, just eight years before my parents were married.
When I was two years old, we moved from an apartment building on the west side of Redwood City to a house in the suburbs. We were the only Black family in the neighborhood. When my parents rented that house, my “white passing” mother purposely went to sign the lease without my Black father. She also left us, her three Black children, in the car, just in case the landlord had any racial bias. Later, when the landlord met my father, he let him know that the neighbor across the street had said to him, “Why are you renting to that nigger? I would hang him by that tree.”
Sadly, Jim Crow laws legalized racial segregation and existed for about 100 years from the post-Civil War era until 1968. Segregation not only occurred in the southern states of America; California also has a rich history of discrimination.
“Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with thee.” I grew up attending Catholic church with my mother and Mexican grandfather. It was a quick one-hour mass of sitting, standing, kneeling, standing again, worshipping rather quietly. I also grew up attending my granddaddy’s church, Church of God in Christ (COGIC), a Pentecostal tradition. My father is now the pastor. I come from a long line of pastors and preachers who have a passion for Jesus Christ. I sometimes attended Sunday school followed by three hours of church. Long sermons where my granddaddy preached, walked, ran, and danced around with a microphone, in order to get his biblical message across to the church members. He would be sweating and swaying to the rhythm of the organ. Eventually, someone would “catch” the gift of the holy ghost, dance around uncontrollably and speak in tongues.
One day, my sister and I were playing in our living room. We decided to reenact the experience of catching the holy ghost at church. I may have danced around a little too crazy because I fell and hit my face right on the corner of the coffee table. Blood squirted everywhere, I went to the ER and had to get a few stitches right under my left eye. My father said, “God don’t like ugly.”
I am grateful I was able to experience two very different religious traditions. My parents always had tremendous faith in God, but as a teenager, I was influenced by mother’s shift into a more spiritual path. I witnessed how a spiritual person deeply cares about people and has a strong desire for soul searching reflections. I respect all religions and don’t follow any one in particular. I believe in one God, and often say, “Love is my religion.”
I deeply care about people. I think the seed of desire to be of service, help improve people’s lives and change the world was planted somewhere around middle-school age. That’s when I started to read and learn about the pain and suffering in the world and to reflect on my own. I discovered Harlem Renaissance poets and I devoured Langston Hughes, Claude McKay, James Weldon Johnson and Countee Cullen. I was activated by Assata Shakur, Mumia Abu Jamal and Malcolm X. Reading their work helped me learn more about slavery, Black identity, and the effects of institutional racism. It changed my world. During that time, I began to write as a way of healing. I wanted to make a difference in my own life and in the world.
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White Ally: A Guide to Cultivating a Deeply Spiritual AntiRacism Practice
You can pre-order the ebook here and paperback will be available August 1st.
I have always loved books and began writing as a way of healing when I was twelve years old. It's been a dream of mine to write a book. However, this is not the book I had in mind. The way babies choose their parents, this book chose me in so many ways.
]]>White Ally: A Guide to Cultivating a Deeply Spiritual AntiRacism Practice
You can pre-order the ebook here and paperback will be available August 1st.
I have always loved books and began writing as a way of healing when I was twelve years old. It's been a dream of mine to write a book. However, this is not the book I had in mind. The way babies choose their parents, this book chose me in so many ways.
...
The Yamas and Niyamas, yoga's ten guidelines, guide you to live in peace and harmony with yourself and the world. In this book, learn how to cultivate an anti-racism practice using the framework of yoga's ten guidelines, the Yamas and the Niyamas. Examine your biases, conditioning, values and beliefs by exploring the philosophy of each guideline in every chapter. Brief guided meditations are provided at the end of the chapter to enhance mindfulness and self-awareness. Reflection questions are included at the end of the chapter for deepened understanding and self inquiry.
Following the philosophy of each guideline, interwoven with examples and personal stories, invites you to become more mindful of recognizing racism within yourself and in the world. The Yamas and Niyamas guide you toward letting go of limiting and harmful behaviors and beliefs. These guidelines free you to see beyond your own desires into the collective good. As you become more mindful and begin to acknowledge systemic racism and injustice, you can use this awareness to become a more effective ally to people of color.
Open your heart and mind, gain the awareness, skills and compassion to change the world from the inside out.
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position
Close your eyes or soften your gaze
Draw a deep cleansing breath into your heart
And exhale out through your mouth
Now allow gentle, easy breaths through your nose
As you are breathing, notice the rise and fall of your chest
Begin to breathe full and complete breaths through your nose, into your heart center
Exhale out slowly through your nose
Full and complete breaths into your heart center
Exhale all the way out
Notice your own suffering
Notice how it manifests in your body and emotions
Hold compassion in your heart
Return to awareness of full and complete breaths
Release suffering with each breath
Notice suffering of marginalized and oppressed people
Feel the suffering in your body and emotions
Hold compassion in your heart
Release suffering with each breath
Notice suffering of privileged people
Feel the guilt, defensiveness, and disconnection
Feel this energy in your body and emotions
Hold compassion in your heart
Release suffering with each breath
Go deeper into the body
Into the heart
As you breathe
Imagine pure light radiating from your heart
Fills you with glowing love
Infinite love
Spreads throughout your entire body
Into the Universe
Know you are an Infinite Being of Light
You are Divine Love
Sense your body and your breath
Sense pure light at your heart center
Return to easy gentle breaths through the nose
When you are ready open your eyes
Namaste, And so it is
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EARTH DAY, an annual event which began on April 22, 1970, will be celebrated next week. It is a day to celebrate the planet’s environment, and raise public awareness about pollution and climate change. We have been warned of climate change and the effects are now upon us with heat waves, fires, flooding, and droughts.
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