WELL AND GOOD

Whole Wellness

Community, healing and inclusion

WORDS KAISHA SCOFIELD

For many, accessing wellness during these difficult times has been both vitally important and particularly challenging. On top of a global pandemic, recent events in the United States have brought into focus the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC).

We all want to be well.

British Columbia is a province dedicated to wellness. We are spoiled with ocean trails and mountain terrains. We are a first-class retreat destination and the birthplace of highwaisted yoga pants. We have world-class spas, expertly trained yogis and outstanding healers; wellness is our specialty, but is BC wellness accessible to everyone?

Often referred to as self-care or personal growth, wellness practices are profoundly beneficial to our overall health. We flock to these practices to improve relaxation, promote healing and establish a state of general well-being. This can be achieved through any number of activities, from massage to running, yoga to therapy, spa treatments or mediation—the possibilities are endless.

Many people turn to wellness practices because they need connection and healing. Practicing in a studio, gym or wellness centre supports community building by promoting a sense of belonging and loyalty. Those who practice in wellness spaces often say that the safety and support provided by the community allows them to feel a deeper sense of healing and well-being. During these overwhelming times, it is especially important to have community supports available. Moreover, it is vital that wellness spaces and communities be accessible to everyone.

For many, accessing wellness during these difficult times has been both vitally important and particularly challenging. On top of a global pandemic, recent events in the United States have brought into focus the lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC). The overwhelming prevalence of systemic racism in our world has been exposed and we are being confronted by our complicity with this reality. We are, however, also being presented with an opportunity for profound and necessary change. The wellness community holds an important role in this movement because it represents community, healing and inclusion. But there is work to be done.

Health and wellness spaces are populated predominantly by the female, white and middle-class demographic.

Racism shows up in many forms—systemic, micro-aggressive, gaslighting and more—and being forced to navigate these systems can lead to overwhelm and exhaustion. Unfortunately, wellness spaces offering these practices often lack the diversity, inclusion and sociopolitical awareness necessary to make everyone outside of the majority feel welcome. This has led to the creation of spaces run by and for BIPOC but they are few and do not fully solve the underlying issue.

Health and wellness spaces are populated predominantly by the female, white and middle-class demographic. There is no doubt that working toward wellness is incredibly important for all people, but it is problematic when representation for other participants is then limited. The current monoculture in these spaces can lead to diminished accessibility for the largely overlooked demographic of BIPOC, who are actively seeking out and participating in wellness and self-care.

The intention of a wellness practice is to support health and promote healing. Diversity and inclusion are especially important in these spaces because practicing wellness requires a certain level of connection and vulnerability. Be it a massage, training session or yoga class, involvement in these activities demands openness and acceptance from both the client and the practitioner.

We are not expected to relate fully to one another’s lived experiences but we must recognize the importance of holding space for each other and be ready to support wellness when it comes. If you have ever seen a class full of yogis bending into pretzels, or been to a silent retreat, you know that the wellness community doesn’t shy away from difficult practices. The shift towards diversity and inclusion will take some work but it is important and necessary. We are ready for change because wellness is for everyone.

HOW TO CREATE SPACE IN THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY:

LEARN: there are many incredible BIPOC educators in the wellness community who are running courses, calls, seminars and discussions on diversity and inclusion. Taking these courses is important because it helps to support BIPOC while also solidifying the commitment to doing the work. Some wonderful courses are run by Torontobased New Leaf Foundation and Vancouver’s Cicely Blain Consulting.

experiences. Question where your wellness practices originated and ask if they are being appropriately represented and credited. By bringing these discussions to your community, you are supporting the larger conversation about inclusion and diversity. Keep up the lines of communication and recognize that staying out of the conversation is an act of privilege. Learn from centres and spaces run by and for BIPOC. Wonderful examples of this are The Well Collective and The Villij, both in Toronto.

CONNECT: being open to making changes in the wellness community is only the first step. If you are teaching or attending a gym or studio that is lacking diversity, have a conversation with the owners or instructors. This is not a call-out but rather a call-in. This work is most successful when it is approached with invitation rather than confrontation. If you don’t know what to say, try starting the conversation with acknowledging your limitations and go from there.

REFLECT: it is normal to feel uncomfortable with privilege. It is difficult to challenge the status quo and sometimes systemic change can feel too big. It is okay to feel overwhelmed and underprepared. It is okay to pause and take time to digest the situation, but it is important to resist complacency and apathy. These struggles will not be untangled immediately but by committing to education, conversation and community, we will be one step closer to equality and wellness.