Black Lives Matter is an issue of wellness.

We are all one. This is the core teaching of Yoga, which means “unity.” When one of us hurts, all of us hurt—whether or not we realize it.

As a non-Black person in America, I have woken up further and realized that unless I step up and become actively anti-racist, I am part of a system that delivers oppression and pain. I have always considered myself “not racist” (I put in quotes because unfortunately we have all been programmed by our societies to be a little bit racist, which is something we must shine a light on), but being just not racist is not enough if we want to change this world for the better.

By the way, you should read How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi, and why not buy it from this Black-owned local Los Angeles small bookstore.

The mental health effects of generations of trauma runs deep in the Black community. This means that none of us are well until this massive suffering ends. It will take time, and dedication, and real thoughtful action on our parts. It’s a big ask, actually. We’re being called to get uncomfortable.

ut that’s where all the magic in life occurs.

We must fight in the name of LOVE.

I am a POC (Latina, half), and if we can begin to break down the oppression in our country of Black Americans, all minorities will rise up. Including women and the LGBTQIA community! It’s like blowing up a huge dam that will return nourishing water to dying riverbeds, making the way for more equality.

Baby steps of progress. We must stay committed to asking: What would Love have me do?

If we do not do something to change what IS, we are allowing systemic racism and violence to continue.

Please share this list of Black leaders in the Spiritual + Wellness space.

This is a small but hopefully helpful way I can help start to make change. The Wellness world is flourishing, and has also become a mostly white space, especially here in Southern California. Every yoga teacher training, every class I’ve led, every yoga festival I’ve attended, has been a sea of predominately white faces. That absolutely must change. Wellness should be accessible and inclusive to everyone. We should all be entitled to have the freedom to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Black voices need to be amplified!

Please use the following Black teachers as valuable resources to help you continue your growth and health journey. They all have a wealth of wisdom to share.

This is my personal list, and I would love for it to grow beyond my admittedly small scope of my Black colleagues. Please Comment below with additional leaders that I missed!

I’ve divided them by the same categories as this blog: Mind (helping mental health and spiritual/wellbeing growth), Body (helping the physical body heal), and Yoga (helping through the specific lens of the Yoga practice).

Please take advantage of their wisdom and teachings so that we may collectively learn, evolve, and heal.

BLACK WELLNESS LEADERS LIST

You can find their Instagrams by clicking on their names, which are alphabetized by first name.

MIND

Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams

Reverend / Zen priest rockstar, Radical Dharma co-author

Alex Elle

Writer, mental health artist, and wellness consultant

Cleo Wade

Writer, poet, wise self-love champion

Justin Michael Williams

Meditation writer, speaker, musician

Lama Rod Owens

Self-liberation writer, the next generation of Buddhism and Dharma teachers

Light Watkins

Meditation teacher and mindfulness speaker

Meghan Watson

Registered Psychotherapist specializing in mood, anxiety, and eating disorders

Morgan Harper Nichols

Artist creating work that offers self-help wisdom

OlanikeeOsi

Self love teacher, Selfish Babe, and creator of Goddess Detox

Preston Smiles

Personal Freedom Coach and inspirational writer

Rha Goddess

Self-Help/Spiritual writer and creator of coaching source Move the Crowd

Tori Washington

Spiritual lifestyle educator and business strategist, energy healer

BODY

Psst: Here’s an awesome list of Black Healthy Chefs and Food Bloggers from Melanin Is Life

BLK+GRN

Non-toxic, all-natural online marketplace by all Black artisans

Chrissy King

Personal Trainer and Body Image/Lifestyle Coach

Jasmine Marie

Breathwork facilitator at Black Girls Breathing (offering virtual circles)

Maryam Ajayi

Energy healer, entrepreneur, writer, activist, speaker, creator of Dive In Well

Omikunle Ekundayo

Creator of The Soulcare Collective, “initiating self + planetary multidimensional wellness via African + Indigenous healing modalities”

 

YOGA

Camai Brandenberg

Yoga and Pilates teacher

DaLette Anderson

Yoga teacher, athlete trainer, dancer

Gail Parker

Psychologist, yoga educator, writer

Jessamyn Stanley

Yoga teacher, body positivity advocate, activist, writer,

Koya Webb

Yoga teacher, holistic health coach, writer

Nicola Cardoza

Mindfulness and yoga teacher, social entrepreneur, founder of both Yoga Foster and Reclamation Ventures

Sara Clark

Yoga teacher, mindfulness coach

Shirley Johnson

Kundalini Yoga teacher, Licensed Psychotherapist, energy worker, Tantra coach

Tracee Stanley

Yoga and Meditation teacher and transformation guide

 

» Song Vibes «

Who did I miss? Please share in the Comments below!

xo,

Amy