For My Non-Black Friends: You Might Be Challenged by This Video
But I want you to watch the whole thing. For a lot of you, this will be the first time you’ve ever heard the unrestrained, honest opinions of Black women about race. You might feel challenged, even called-out. I’m asking you to sit through that discomfort and listen. Resist defending yourself, shutting the video off, or questioning the veracity of our statements. Just listen. And then follow the links to the resources I’ve listed below the video.
Black in the White World of Fitness
This conversation is a departure from my usual content, for sure. But I believe that achieving total health requires prioritizing our spiritual and social wellness, too. As a mixed race black woman, I encounter racism every day. But I don’t talk about it often in this space. That’s why I’m opening up my platform to my good friend, Sonja, founder of Black Girl Pilates.
I’m inspired by her courage, her tenacity, and her commitment to black women’s health, and I hope you’re inspired by this very honest exchange on race and racism in wellness spaces and use it as a unique learning opportunity.
Questions Answered in This Video
✓ Why is an organization like Black Girl Pilates necessary?
✓ Does equality for all require a surrender of privilege for some?
✓ How can non-Black women of color and white women be better allies, specifically in the wellness space?
More About My Guest
Sonja Herbert is a New York-based writer, speaker, competitive powerlifter, and classically trained Pilates instructor, as well as holding certifications in TRX and kettlebell training.
She fuses teaching methods to meet the varying needs of her clients, who range from current and former athletes to people who strive simply to be fit in everyday life.
She is the founder/creator of Black Girl Pilates, a platform highlighting/supporting Black/Afro-Latina Pilates instructors and Black Girl Fit and Well, a panel of the best Black female-identified instructors/trainers discussing the importance/impact of health, fitness, and wellness for the Black female community.
Use these links to follow Sonja on social media:
★ Sonja on Instagram
★ Sonja on Facebook
★ BGP on Instagram
★ BGP on Facebook
More folks to follow (check all the boxes):
□ Cynthia Shipley — lifespanpilates.com
□ David Banner — twitter.com/davidbanner
□ Catrice M. Jackson — www.shetalkswetalk.com
□ Layla Saad — laylafsaad.com
□ Rachel Cargle — www.rachelcargle.com
□ ShiShi Rose — www.shishirose.com
□ Ericka Hart — www.ihartericka.com
□ Rachel Ricketts — www.rachelricketts.com
Reading recommendations for viewers:
✓ I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Buy on Amazon
✓ My list of my favorite books for spiritual growth: bit.ly/2TfxBd7
✓ My top 12 books from 2018: bit.ly/2E0k8fm
And please feel encouraged to continue the conversation in my private Blissed in Community on Facebook.
Join over 4000 aligned and supportive souls for non-judgmental discourse on everything from wellness and social justice to relationships and motherhood.
Rebekah “Bex” Borucki, founder of BexLife.com and the Blissed In® wellness movement, is a mother-of-five, TV host, meditation guide, author, speaker, birth doula, fitness and yoga instructor, and popular social media personality. Her first book, You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life (Hay House 2017), is available now, wherever books are sold.
