Our intention is to offer holistic insights and lifestyle design through the wisdom of Ayurveda, with an understanding of the intersectional impact of racism, capitalism and patriarchy.
As white womxn in wellness, we have a (big) responsibility to dismantle the systems of oppression that this industry often perpetuates.
We hold social justice as a high priority — and, we acknowledge that it is an ongoing process to embed our values of inclusion and accessibility into our offerings at Cultivate Balance. It is with curiosity and humility that we seek informed ways to support the movement toward ending racial injustice in America.
With that in mind, we hold ourselves responsible for ongoing education and action. We dedicate a portion of our work hours and our rest hours to reflecting upon what we (un)learn, and are committed to the movement toward dismantling systems of oppression.
We invite you, especially if you’re white, to join us in thinking critically about how you can listen, learn and take action in your own ways. Below is a series of resources that we have been actively engaging with.
You can read more about our values, and how we are holding ourselves accountable to this vision on our Collective Wellness page.
In peace and solidarity,
Molly & Sierra
LISTEN
We honor the evolving work of radical care and justice available through liberation movements led by womxn, non-binary, queer and trans folx, namely those who are Black, Latinx, and indigenous. We acknowledge that our work is made possible because of their ongoing efforts.
Here are a few key voices we’re listening to:
bell hooks
Audre Lorde
Maya Angelou
As we listen, we’re checking our judgements, our conditioning, and the subtly embedded interests of white supremacy. Listening is an ongoing process, and we are prepared to be uncomfortable. Even when action begins, listening continues.
We celebrate these voices, we honor their dedication, and we aim to be more diligent in our own work so that they can rest.
LEARN
Podcasts
Follow our ongoing podcast playlist KNOW BETTER | DO BETTER, or start with these:
1619 by The New York Times
Hoodrat to Headwrap with Ericka Hart and Ebony P. Donnley
Black History Year: Fear of the Black Women’s Body by Pushblack
Code Switch by NPR
How to Survive the End of the World: On Listening with adrienne maree brown
Unlocking Us: Brene Brown with Ibram X. Kendi on “How to be an Antiracist”
Unlocking US: Brené with Sonya Renee Taylor “The Body is Not an Apology”
Throughline: American Police by NPR
On Being: Talking About Whiteness with Krista Tippett
Louder Than a Riot by NPR
Finding out Way: Remembering with Alexis Pauline Gumbs by Prentis Hemphill
BOOKS
Radical Dharma by Jasmine Syedullah, Lama Rod Owens, and Rev. angel Kyodo Williams
Pleasure Activism by adrienne maree brown
Sisters of the Yam by bell hooks
Parable of The Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Undrowned by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
The Purpose of Power by Alicia Garza
How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community by Mia Birdsong
Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
The Salt Eaters by Toni Cade Bambara
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sing by Maya Angelou
Just Us: An American Conversation by Claudia Rankine
Renaissance by Ruth Forman
Articles
White Debt by Eula Bliss | The New York Times
The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates | The Atlantic
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
a word for white people, in two parts by adrienne maree brown
White Supremacy Culture | dRworks
The Problem with the Passive Past Tense by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
“A Few Rules For Predicting The Future” By Octavia Butler by Octavia Butler
So You’re Thinking about Becoming an Abolitionist by Mariame Kaba
Love as the Practice of Freedom by bell hooks
VIDEO
Maya Angelou Interview by the Oprah Winfrey Network
Uses of the Erotic: Erotic as Power by Audre Lorde (audio essay)
The Story that we Tell Ourselves about Poverty Isn’t True (Ted Talk) by Mia Birdsong
Red Table Talk: Black America in Crisis with Jada Pinkett Smith
Why Anti-Racist Work is “Forever Work” with Sophia Roe
Lazy Learning and Lack of Care with Sophia Roe
Collective Wellness with Sophia Roe
Free Angela and All Political Prisoners (documentary)
If you are engaging with these resources as well, feel free to share your thoughts with us. If you have other recommendations, we’d love to add them to our evolving lists.
Note: Please do your best to source these materials directly from their creators, publishers, or independent outlets and not Amazon.
TAKE ACTION
In addition to ongoing listening and learning we acknowledge that we need to be doing more. Intention cannot be given life without action. These are the steps we are taking:
Creating Social Accountability
We vow to support each other in the process of overcoming our own white fragility to be stronger allies. We’re doing this by dedicating time from our work day and “free time” to educate ourselves, utilizing the resources listed above among others. We reflect together each week on what we’re learning within the current context.
Integrating anti-racism into our wellness work
We seek to offer lifestyle design that is inclusive and accessible, and to welcome BIPOC and LGBTQ people in every aspect of our work. To do so, our goal is to integrate an actively anti-racist lens into our consultations, courses and content. We review each of our offerings using our values checklist.
We’re open to feedback — email sierra@cultivatebalance.com with any ideas you are willing and able to offer on how to do this better.
Ensuring Accessibility
We always offer sliding scale pricing to BIPOC, non-profit employees and activists. Please do not hesitate to reach out to molly@cultivatebalance.com to discuss how we can make our offerings more accessible to you, your family or your community.
“Are you willing to use the power you have in the service of what you say you believe?”
About Cultivate Balance
Radical self care is an alternative to engaging with failing systems, and Ayurveda has always been here to provide grounded guidance for us to thrive. Cultivate Balance provides Ayurvedic consultations, virtual workshops, Goodness Guides, and online wellness courses that support you to nurture yourself so you can nurture the world. Now, more than ever, we are being called to return home to ourselves and the Earth.
