I adore being Black is a recent post from singer, educator, and social media personality Ikechi Ojore. It’s amazing, but it’s dangerous as hell.
And a lot of people can agree that it’s awesome. Black men, women, and children are at the bottom of almost every quality of life metric, but it’s the hazardous AF component that causes so many detrimental everyday realities and outcomes (in terms of health, economics, education, etc.).
Enter the horde of Black individuals who are re-discovering mindfulness techniques and applying them to address these racial and cultural issues.
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS
By practicing mindfulness, one can learn to calmly acknowledge and accept their thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations while concentrating their awareness (attention) on the here and now. Scientific studies have demonstrated that these routines are effective therapeutic methods that help boost metabolism, enhance attitude, lower stress, and encourage thankfulness, among many other advantages.
Yoga, meditation, strolling, gardening, and other activities that let one be totally present in the moment are examples of mindfulness practices. A mindfulness practice can even include eating habits intended to enhance one’s health.
According to yoga instructor Onica, mindfulness encompasses both the activities you perform after your yoga session is over and the activities you do on the mat.
To me, mindfulness is about how you react to various situations as you’re leaving. You’re learning how to handle the actual world and how to react to situations that could ordinarily set you off, like traffic.
These are the manifestations of these activities in the Houston region.
YOGA/MEDITATION
Despite the fact that yoga and meditation are long-standing holistic health practices, it is millennials and Gen Zers who are pushing for their inclusion in more conventional Black churches. Nonetheless, the practices are appealing to a lot of seasoned saints. Given that these two techniques are go-at-your-own-pace exercises, that makes logical.
Additionally, anyone can begin practicing yoga because there are so many distinct types.
According to Dr. Natalie Nevins, DO, a board-certified osteopathic family physician and certified Kundalini Yoga instructor in Hollywood, California, size and fitness levels are irrelevant because there are modifications for every yoga pose and beginner classes in every style (source: osteopathic.org).
Instead of aiming for pretzel-like perfection, the goal is to push yourself to the edge. It’s a fantastic method to connect with your inner self and your body.
The following are some of the health advantages of yoga:
- lessened chronic pain (i.e. lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome)
- lowered blood pressure
- reduced insomnia
- increased flexibility
- increased muscle strength and tone
- improved respiration, energy and vitality
- maintaining a balanced metabolism
- weight reduction
- cardio and circulatory health
- improved athletic performance
- protection from injury
There are further advantages, according to Onica, who leads a yoga session at the Shrine Cultural and Events Center every first and third Saturday from noon to 1 p.m.
As a class leader, I simply adore the sense of community that develops organically. Finding your tribe and having a safe space to let go are, in my opinion, quite important.
In order to improve the mindfulness experience in Onica’s yoga lessons, sound healer Amanda incorporates the ancient Egyptian technique of sound meditation.
In addition to opening up the chakras, playing the sound bowls facilitates the flow of energy and removes obstructions that can lead to tension, anxiety, and difficulty falling asleep.
DIET
According to medical experts, diet is a fantastic place to start.The dual mottos of JENuine Nutrition’s founder and owner, Jennifer Jones, who is a certified integrative, holistic nutrition health coach, personal trainer, and wellness instructor, To improve your health, love yourself and live and eat intentionally.
According to Jones, actions taken to enhance our mental and emotional well-being and our thoughts might influence our dietary choices in addition to the food we consume.
She’s not alone, either.
According to Dr. Munish Chawla and his wife, Dr. Bandana Chawla, who are board-certified physicians in lifestyle medicine and the founders of their nonprofit organization, the Peaceful Planet Foundation, chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, are brought on by our diet and lifestyle. That needs to be fixed. Otherwise, we won’t be addressing the underlying reason even if we throw all the drugs and treatments at them.
The CDC lists the following advantages of a healthy diet for adults:
- Keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy
- Supports muscles
- Boosts immunity
- Strengthens bones
- Lowers risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers
- Supports healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding
- Helps the digestive system function
Many of the same advantages apply to children, in addition to the benefits of promoting healthy growth and brain development. Additionally, there are benefits for people of all ages.
EXERCISE/WALKING
Members and the general public can participate in fitness classes and sessions offered by a number of organizations. Members of the Elders Institute of Wisdom can participate in regular fitness programs at the SHAPE Community Center.Tia Norman, the pastor of The Awakenings Movement, is a yoga instructor and meditation instructor in addition to her holistic wellness teachings.
Numerous sister circles, including as sororities, friend groups, and places of worship like First Metropolitan Church, are home to Girl Trek organizations.
“A sermon about mind, body, and spirit health from last summer inspired us to start a Girl Trek small group,” Quinita Ogletree said.
Walking by yourself has incredible advantages. Here are several examples:
- Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat
- Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Increase energy levels
- Improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep
- Improve your balance and coordination
- Strengthen immune system
- Reduce stress and tension
OTHER
There are also local programs that are not managed by religious communities, but rather movements that encourage religious communities to engage in activities that promote health.
Dr. Willie Mae Lewis developed the Women’s Resource Center, which spearheads the ImaniFaith Health Initiative, which encourages pastors and other respected community leaders and voices to encourage their people to take mindfulness exercises and, consequently, their health, more seriously. The WRC provides a wide range of programs, such as a Saturday schedule that teaches groups about mental health, healing arts, self-management (stress and conflict resolution), health food preparation classes, health monitoring, and much more.
The Faith in Action Workgroup of the Emancipation Economic Development Council (EEDC) also promotes mindfulness practices through health fairs, urban gardening, health monitoring, and other initiatives.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
There are several advantages to mindfulness, including better sleep, decreased stress and anxiety, and even increased focus and attention span. The benefits of mindfulness for mental, emotional, and physical health are well-established, despite varying results.
These advantages include: 1) enhanced communication, which lays the groundwork for stronger relationships; 2) more gratitude; 3) improved self-esteem due to a decrease in negative self-talk; and 4) improved meal enjoyment due to less distractions when eating, which also helps digestion.
