Trauma Rewired Decolonizing Pilates & Anti Racism Practices in the Fitness Industry
Joining me this week is, Sonja Price Herbert, a classical Pilates Rebel empowering black representation within the fitness industry for over a decade. This led her to found; Black Girl Pilates, Black Girl Fit & Well, Melanin Brothers of Pilates, and platforms alleviating and supporting black afro-latino pilates instructors. She increases black visibility through writing, speaking, and anti-racism training.
In this episode, I share:
- [3:23] Racism in the pilates industry
- [4:50] Who started pilates
- [5:44] Pilates caters to the wealthy communities
- [8:03] White supremacy linked to fitness
- [9:39] Feeling unsafe in a class
- [10:01] ‘Mash-Up’ (Dance + Pilates)
- [10:51] A Ballet Dancer
- [11:24] Pilates is for Everyone
- [13:08] Violating space
- [16:11] Real-world of Pilates
- [16:49] Sonja shares how she started teaching anti-racism
- [18:53] Sonja’s experience with racism
- [19:38] Level of bullying on social media is high
- [20:40] “ The Caged Lion” by John Steele
- [23:22] Division of Pilates into different camps
- [24:18] Health and wellness should be for everyone
- [25:10] Pilates is not for weight loss
- [26:10] PMA( Pilates Method Alliance) Certification & how they are not inclusive
- [28:57] Gifted instructors are not given the opportunity
- [29:36] PMA’s New Board still not addressing racism
- [30:47] Black Girls Pilates are working to make changes
- [32:43] Sonya shares some of her Anti-Racism Seminar Part 1 Introduction
- [35:34] Part 2 Elitism, Legacy, and Racism and how they intersect
- [35:56] Part 3 White Washing of Certification
- [36:18] How to Develop an Anti-Racism Plan for Studios & Gyms Workshop
- [36:24] Listen, Learn, and Act Workshop
- [36:35] Acknowledging you are part of the problem
- [37:52] The black community does more than racism awareness
- [41:10] My thoughts on white supremacy
Resources From This Episode:
The Virtual Symposium ‘Return To You’ → Get your tickets HERE
Wednesday, January 27, 1pm - 4pm CST
~ Join me, Somatic Practitioner Anna Gieselman, Applied Neurologist Elisabeth Kristof, Liberation Coach Miriam Rachael Freed, and Astrologist & Womb Activator Melody Joy for a 3-hour virtual mastermind class.
Work with Jennifer
25% Off a Private Coaching Session HERE
McIntosh, Peggy. White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming To See Correspondences Through Work In Women’s Studies
Steele, John. The Caged Lion
Saad, Layla. Me & White Supremacy
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