Improving Representation in Healing Spaces: A Call to Action
Diversity and inclusion are more than social justice or corporate buzzwords that get thrown around for marketing or recruitment purposes. Representation matters in healing spaces too. Cultivating diverse and inclusive spaces shouldn’t just be a goal, but a priority for those of us who are in the business of holding space for others.
Here are three foundational actions you can take to help improve representation in healing spaces:
Support Diverse Educators:
Be intentional about who you choose to work with and learn from. Actively support and engage with teachers who are BIPOC and from other marginalized identities. By elevating the voices of teachers and mentors with a a rich tapestry of lived experiences, we can learn how to integrate our practices in a way that people who have been traditionally excluded from these spaces can feel deeply seen and understood. There’s a deep, visceral wisdom that comes from experience that’s difficult, if not nearly impossible, to replicate or teach in a classroom.
Study the Roots of the Practices:
To truly appreciate and integrate the healing arts, we have an ethical responsibility to acknowledge the wisdom traditions of the practices we participate in (fun fact: breathwork wasn’t “invented” in the 50’s). Having a commitment to understanding the indigenous wisdom of our practices does three things: 1) it prevents further erasure of cultural traditions, 2) as practitioners, we’re able to honor and understand the sacredness in the work we do, and 3) it helps break down barriers to access for others.
Be Open to Dialogue:
It’s OKAY that different folks have different needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all blueprint to the healing process. That’s why there’s no such thing as “too many healers.” As a leader and space holder, be open to listening to your community to learn what it is they’re craving. Being able to hold space for uncomfortable conversations and new perspectives is a powerful practice in the co-creation of safety within your community and is foundational to creating a space that’s in it for the long-run.
Ultimately, improving representation in healing spaces asks for awareness, purpose and commitment from each of us in the healing arts. Being intentional about the spaces we hold and participate in, who we collaborate with and learn from, honoring the roots of our practices, and having courageously open dialogue is a great start to creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
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