There are numerous yogi stereotypes, particularly ones that have to do with appearance related to women and yoga in the West. However, Lauren Ash is on a mission to make the global yoga community more inclusive with an online publication she started called 'Black Girl in Om.'
Black Girl in Om promotes holistic wellness and inner beauty for African-American women through an online publication, as well as various 'Wellness Sessions' that include pop-up yoga, meditation and healthy eating events.
Some of the topics that are tackled by Black Girl in Om include working out with black hair, music as well as community, self-care, as well as making the practice of yoga and healthy eating accessible and affordable to all. Ash describes: "I hope more women of color will be able to center with self-care and self-love in their own lives, and not make it a marginalized thing that you only do on a Saturday or think about on a Wednesday."
Cultural Yoga Publications
'Black Girl in Om' is a Community for African-American Women and Yoga
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Yoga - Innovative opportunities for yoga brands to expand their markets across different races and communities by providing services tailored to certain needs and interests.
2. Online Wellness Publications - Digital media entrepreneurs can come up with more niche publications targeting minority groups and specific interests for more inclusive representation and access to wellness content.
3. Pop-up Wellness Events - Innovative opportunities for collaboration between wellness brands and social movements to hold unexpectedly delightful experiences that encourage diversity and being mindful of wellness.
Industry Implications
1. Wellness Industry - Innovative opportunities for inclusive wellness brands to provide diverse services and events that cater to the marginalized minorities across different races and cultures.
2. Media Industry - Innovative opportunities for niche publishers to cater to minority groups and create more inclusive representation in an industry dominated by mainstream media.
3. Event Planning Industry - Innovative opportunities for event planners to create dynamic experiences for diverse participants that encourage mindfulness and wellness, breaking free from the typical Westernized yoga stereotypes.