Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The image by @barrehumbug shows three women of different shapes and colours with the words ‘every body of every size, shape, colour, gender and ability deserves to be treated with compassion, respect and dignity. As a community, we need to fight the social and political systems of oppression that label certain bodies as more worthy and desirable than others’.

Today’s blog is about my mission statement, my proclamation to the community of what to expect from me and what I expect from myself.

My dear friend Natalia (@barrehumbug) posted about how important it is for her to to find instructors that are not homophobic - valid (she is also the wonderful author of the image attached to this post). Similarly, it is important for me that instructors are not pushing harmful messages around body image. I have often done classes where I find myself cringing at some of the cues or phrases used by instructors that are dripping in diet culture or sprinkled with fat phobia. 

I used to think being a Pilates instructor was only making shapes and having fun (and maybe it is for some). However, I started seeing my role in these people’s lives as something larger than this. This one hour they spent with me, may have been the only time they had to themselves that week, it was their time they had dedicated to themselves and I was so grateful to be part of it. I started hearing more about their lives and they would share their personal experiences with me as they stripped off their coats and hung them on the hooks. I was collecting little snippets of their experiences, creating a rich tapestry of the collective human experience within this space. Though, when I stepped back to look at this tapestry, the image I saw wasn’t something I was proud to be a part of. 

I saw guilt and shame.

I saw fat phobia and exclusivity. 

I saw little to no diversity.

I saw an industry that was pedalling diet culture at the expense of the wellbeing of their clients.

My role in people’s lives as a movement facilitator (and all the other hats I wear) is to ensure that they feel seen and valued. This space is safe for you, this space is made for you. You are not an ‘other’ here. You are you, in all of your wonderful entirety.

So I decided to write a diversity, equity and inclusion mission statement. I am not experienced in writing anything like this and I write from the knowledge that I have now. Maybe someone will flag an oversight (please do) and one day I will know more than I do now. Until then, I am doing the best with what I have and always learning more.

“The fitness industry is not often a welcome place for the marginalised and their bodies. I actively stand for fair and equal treatment of every human on this earth - irrespective of race, gender, size, sexual orientation, culture or ability. I am always learning and always growing to ensure that I can make this space as safe as possible for every body.

I acknowledge my thin and able bodied privilege. So what am I doing about it?

My allyship comes in the form of researching and learning, sharing the work of people in this space and adding my voice to the collective by creating content that is accessible for those new to the space. I do not seek to drown out any voices and am committed to amplifying the voices of people in this space who do not have the same privileges as me. I am standing up and fighting the fight so you can take the time to exhale and heal - I am showing up to create a community where all feel safe and valued. 

I am always open to feedback and believe that this space can be one of nuance where we do not always agree but we are empathetic, respectful and curious - a safe space to make mistakes and learn.

Come as you are.”

And there it is. This is how I plan to show up for my community - this collective of wonderfully complex and brilliant bunch of humans.