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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@commandofitnesscollective

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@melaninbrothersofpilates