Self-Care Strategy for Black People
By Angie Franklin, founder of Afro Yoga
As a black woman in this time it has not only become important but necessary to strategize and actively participate in self-care practices. With the bombardment of unsolicited inquiries around race many black women are receiving in this time, the first and foremost strategy is to be sagacious in the use of energy and time. Many of us, like myself, have been pulled away from our day to day activities due to our understanding of the dire importance of educating and responding to issues surrounding race as it pertains to the response of white people at large trying to fix a centuries old issue within a week’s time.
The second strategy is to surround and connect with other black women and women of color that can refuel our tanks and help us decompress from the exhaustion of said activities. This can include a facetime call, text conversation or in-person meet ups to spend time with one another.
The last strategy is rest. Due to the rising workload bestowed upon black people at this time, most of which are not anti-racism educators, the importance of rest becomes critical for our wellbeing. This includes taking time off social media to disengage and recover from triggering content, self-care practices like baths, yoga, meditation, journaling and certainly sleep. The Nap Ministry does a wonderful job at explaining the importance of rest as an act of resistance.
Between these 3 strategies: right use of time and energy, connecting with our community and resting, I believe we can, as black people, come out on the other end of this victoriously.
About Angie Franklin
Angie Franklin, founder of Afro Yoga
I really love sharing the true meaning of yoga (union) and teaching people how to take the principles from the physical practice into their lives off the mat. Afro Yoga’s ethos is defined by four pillars that helps us navigate through the waves of energy we all experience — Pausing, Listening, Activating and Empowering. Through these principles, Afro Yoga experiences guide conversation and lifestyle practices that foster harmony and balance.
Since Afro Yoga started in September 2017, it’s been a trailblazing movement that’s touched many womxn in Sacramento and beyond. In 2020, I look forward to Afro Yoga expanding locally and globally through the many things we’re up to.
Website: www.afroyoga.org
Instagram: @afroyogabyangie
Facebook: facebook.com/AfroYoga
Photo Cred: @nicolettelovell
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