Intro to Building an Inclusive and Anti-Racist Pilates Culture

Ask (and answer) tough questions. Be vulnerable. Learn how you can begin to create more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming spaces

Imagine the Feeling

Imagine walking by a studio with a “help wanted” sign. As you look up, you see their advertising for the first time. In their advertising, you only see people who look nothing like you. Their marketing celebrates the exact opposite of you. As you scan inside the studio, more of the same. Not one person looks like you. Would you feel comfortable walking into that studio? Would you feel safe as people start to stare at you, keenly aware of how different you look?

Imagine taking the chance to walk inside and grab an application. As you do, you hear a cold voice say, “You must be looking for the studio across town. I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable there.” Or, you hear nothing at all as no one comes to greet or help you. Or worse, you’re threatened or attacked.

Diverse Women laughing together
You will learn how Pilates came to cater to the rich, white, and athletic and unlearn the truths about race and bias.

A Journey of (Un)learning

This scenario will be far too familiar if you identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color), TGNC (Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming), or have a disability. If you identify as cisgender, white, and able-bodied, the chances are you have not had such an experience. The truth is, that scenario is a small fraction of what historically marginalized communities face. The question I pose to you is this: do you have the courage to take a stand for equity and justice?

Whether you answered yes, no, or I don’t know, Intro to Building an Inclusive and Anti-Racist Pilates Culture will take you on a journey of (un)learning. It will help you make that stand. You will learn how Pilates came to cater to the rich, white, and athletic and unlearn the truths about race and bias. Real-life stories will give you a better understanding of BIPOC experiences. The six principles of Pilates even have a role to play!

Group of Fitness Women smiling to the camera
Begin to create more diverse, inclusive anti-racist Pilates culture.

Take a raw look at how race and bias affect something that is supposed to heal, strengthen, and stabilize. Ask (and answer) tough questions. Be vulnerable. Learn how you can begin to create more diverse, inclusive, and welcoming spaces. In the comfort and safety of your own home, you can start building the knowledge and skills to be a part of the solution. By the time you complete the course, you will have a wealth of resources to choose from and five simple steps for where you can begin.

The world is in a state of civil unrest. Uncomfortable conversations about police violence, racial inequities, and systemic racism have become the norm. Local and federal governments are actively fighting to strip away LGBTQ+ rights and the rights of those with disabilities. The pandemic is still raging. It’s all so chaotic, and it’s the perfect time for some (un)learning.

Find this course here.

Intro to Building an Inclusive and Anti-Racist Pilates Culture

An introduction to key concepts in building an inclusive and anti-racist Pilates culture. We will explore the history of bias and racism in Pilates and the general fitness industry, discuss key terms and concepts in support of learning and self-reflection, and close with strategies and tips for mindful anti-racist business planning.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

<a href="https://profitablepilates.com/instructor/jamie-umanzor/" target="_self">Jamie Umanzor</a>

Jamie Umanzor

Jamie Umanzor is a highly successful national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader who proudly identifies as a queer woman of color and daughter of immigrants. As an experienced DEI professional with over 13 years of experience, Jamie has led regional and national training, conferences, collaborations, and DEI initiatives for the YMCA of Honolulu and YMCA of the USA. Over the last two years, Jamie fostered national partnerships with 18 organizations, including GLSEN, Tyler Clementi Foundation, HRC Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of America, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, CenterLink, and PFLAG as part of YMCA of the USA’s national LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion initiative. Today, Jamie is the founder and principal consultant for C3 Equity Consulting. C3 Equity provides LGBTQ+ and organizational DEI consulting with a focus on culturally humble and trauma-informed business, community, and human resources strategies. Jamie serves as the Vice-Chair for the auxiliary fundraising board for one of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations in the nation – the Vernita Gray Council of Howard Brown Health – and is the community manager for a weekly role-playing game live stream. Jamie holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of San Francisco and an M.A. in Public Administration from Capella University. She loves her dog and is a self-proclaimed “super nerd” with a great passion for indigenous spirituality, natural healing, mental wellness, and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). She is currently running a pre-colonial, indigenous Hawaii-inspired D&D campaign, and plays in 3 other D&D campaigns on her spare time. Jamie also carries two sets of polyhedral dice on her person at all times in case the opportunity for an impromptu game presents itself.

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