PODCAST EPISODES

“Oftentimes we lend the power of knowing our body to other people and I want us to own that more.” Understanding that Black women experience higher rates of chronic stress and anxiety, Jasmine Marie, a breathwork practitioner, founded black girls breathing, a safe space for Black women to nurture their mental, emotional, and spiritual health through guided meditation, breathwork, and community. In 2020, as racial tensions mounted and many Black women struggled with higher unemployment rates, increased childcare responsibilities, feeling less supported at work, and the devastating health impacts of COVID19, Jasmine adjusted her business structure to provide free and accessible mental healthcare to hundreds of Black women. In this final episode of Season 3, Jasmine shares how she helps women own their bodies and reclaim their power to heal themselves through black girls breathing.

Topics Covered: 

• Defining breathwork
• Understanding the health benefits of breathwork including stress and anxiety reduction
• How Jasmine was introduced to breathwork and built black girls breathing
• Barriers for Black women in accessing breathwork and mental health therapy
• How Jasmine combines breathwork, meditation, and community with black girls breathing
• Incorporating breathwork into your daily routine
• What to expect when trying breathwork for the first time
• Deciding whether to try breathwork individually or in a group setting
• Selecting a breathwork instructor who speaks to your needs
• Jasmine’s crowdfunding campaign to provide free breathwork sessions to Black women for one year
• How Jasmine collects and uses data about Black women with house of bgb
• Jasmine’s vision for black girls breathing

Highlights:

• “Your body’s experience is validated in and of itself because that is your experience.”
• “Oftentimes we lend the power of knowing our body to other people and I want us to own that more.”
• “It’s not always just about the breathwork. It’s about a space that someone cared to say that you matter. And that has been life saving in this time.”
• “Everyone has the power to heal themselves.”

Connect with Jasmine: 

On her website: https://www.blackgirlsbreathing.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackgirlsbreathing

On Twitter: @blackgirls_bgb

On Instagram: @blackgirlsbreathing

Other References: 

• Janel Martinez, The Major Health Ramifications of Racial ‘Weathering’ on Black People, Well+Good, Sept. 14, 2020.
• Jasmine Marie, What It’s Like Being a Black Woman Holding Space for My Community to Heal at This Time, Well + Good, June 23, 2020.
• Jessica Estrada, Breathwork Meditation Will Make You Feel Calm and Collected in Mere Minutes–Here’s How to Practice It, Well + Good, March 27, 2020.

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