ANTI RACISM / INCLUSION
STATEMENT + RESOURCE
I make a continued effort to be respectful of the roots of the yoga teachings that influence and guide my work. Abstaining from appropriating these practices on any level is one of my core values, and I welcome feedback where I can continue to improve.
I deeply believe recognising the impacts of colonialism, white supremacy and racism within our culture is a fundamental step towards the change needed for equity to be woven into our systems, communities and wider society, and for all of us, especially the global majority to heal from its continuing effects.
I am committed to creating an inclusive space for all people. This includes people who identify as other than cisgender and heterosexual, and those within LGBTQ+ communities. Everyone is welcome here to explore and practise the incredible healing traditions of yoga.
I aim to create spaces that are welcoming and accessible to all and inclusive of neurodivergence. I recognise that there is many ways to communicate, learn, move, regulate or participate. I remain open to feedback about how my language, teaching and therapeutic approach can be adapted to better support different needs and experiences.
I encourage everyone to observe their own discriminatory attitudes and unconscious biases. Bringing awareness to our own ignorance and mental and emotional patterns is a crucial part of yoga practice and, I believe, a foundation for cultivating greater freedom.
Please see the resources below for further learning.
I want to make it absolutely clear that where respect is upheld: all people are welcome here.
Please spend time watching, listening to or reading the following resources and to contemplate the image of the scale below.
Akala on Equity Talks https://youtu.be/fiYI839cr9A
Short film - Jafar https://youtu.be/dfccrwUlROU
Short film - The Black Friend https://youtu.be/XECQ-9AxS0U
Short film by Oya Heart Warrior - ‘The Taboo of Black Hips in Yoga’
A fantastic resource from Harvard university for challenging conscious & unconscious biases that we each will possess. There are a series of tests to select from. Highly encourage your participation.
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatouchtest.html
Link to understanding displacement https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/migration-and-displacement/refugees-and-asylum-seekers/six-things-you-need-to-know-about-refugees-and-asylum-seekers
Implicit bias race test via Harvard University https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/Study?tid=-1
Link to the Black Curriculum a non profit organisation focused on making positive systematic change in schools https://theblackcurriculum.com
Link on how to increase equality for the LGBT+ community
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/campaigning-global-lgbt-equality
Zoom in and consider where your current position is on this critical scale. Is there more to unpack, understand and action?
The LGBTQIA+ flag representing solidarity, support and equality for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, Asexual and all other identities that fall into the LGBTQA+ community across the gender, sexuality and romantic spectrums and inclusive of queer people of the global majority.