4 Women In Toronto Bringing Wellness To The Community
Posted by Karen Bishop | 10 Comments
” The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behaviour affects our greater health and well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually.” ~ Greg Anderson
Doesn’t it feel like winter stays around for at least 8 months out of the year? I’ve been soaking up all the sun that I can this summer. And quite frankly seeking different ways to balance my mind, body and soul. With the sun and warm weather outside you tend to automatically feel better, at least I do. I personally think there’s no better time to get started on making healthy lifestyle choices. And I don’t mean by hitting the gym hard for a minute or two but by building a way of life that helps you align your mind, body and soul.
That’s kinda the vibe I’m on. Balancing what’s on the outside with what’s on the inside.
Let’s Talk About Wellness
Wellness, in its very basic form, is the balance of our physical, emotional, mental and (some may say) our spiritual health. In the black community, there is still a major struggle to find basic resources or establishments that arm individuals with knowledge on how to cope with and minimize stress. More and more women of colour have entered the wellness industry to share their knowledge to help support a movement for living a well-balanced life.
And I’m all for it!
#1 Lonie Murdock (Toronto)
Founder, Lonie Murdock, took her passion as a fitness trainer and chef and turned it into what we now know as, Eat. Train. Live. ETL (as it’s called) is a macro-balanced meal plan service to help her clients balance they way they eat, train and live. With over 20 years of experience in fitness and health industry (she was lucky enough to have Will Smith as a client. Geez!) she enjoys helping her clients live their best life through fitness and food.
#2 Tania Jones (Pickering)
Moksha Yoga Studio (Pickering)
With over 8 years as a professional yoga instructor, owner and Reiki Master Practitioner, Tania Jones along with her team share the techniques of Moksha Hot Yoga which combines therapeutic and traditional yoga (specifically) in a heated room. Moksha focuses on strengthening and toning of muscles while calming the mind.
#3 Shakera Martin (Toronto)
Shakera Martin is a Movement Coach, Artistic Director and Owner of the Simply Shakera lifestyle brand that focuses on empowering women using dance, fitness and culture. Working with women through a variety of customized workshops and events, her work has allowed her to partner with brands like Lululemon and Toronto Sun. And travel internationally to Belize and India. When she’s not working on the Simply Shakera brand you can find her hosting monthly community meetups and fitness shops through Carnival Spice a brand dedicated to teaching the community about Caribbean culture all year round.
#4 Dr. Nadine Wong (Pickering)
Founder Dr. Nadine Wong used her many years of career and academic training in the sciences to establish the Alabaster Wellness clinic. Through scientific research, she analyzes the issues that affect one’s mental, physical and spiritual health by the cosmetics we use, the food we consume and the effects that it has on our body’s as a unit.
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A Variety of Head Wraps for Women With Natural Hair
Posted by Karen Bishop | 8 Comments
Photo: fanmdjanm.com
By Ingrie Williams (Flare)
With summer’s steamiest days upon us, humidity is a force to be reckoned with for anyone with naturally curly hair. Mere degrees can separate a fabulously full ’do from Frizz City, Population: You. Putting your hair up is guaranteed to cool you down, and adding a head wrap to your #OOTD has several benefits. Numero uno is the sartorial boost because a head wrap is downright head-turning.
Read MoreWord of The Day
Posted by Karen Bishop | 7 Comments
Like my mother used to say,
“your words and thoughts are powerful”.
Read MoreCan Women Wait To Have Children?
Posted by Karen Bishop | 8 Comments
Today, women are choosing to wait to have children to focus on their careers, waiting until marriage or until they are much older. But can women afford to wait to have children….let’s say, past the age of 35? It’s been documented that the longer you wait to have children, the higher the risk.
On a recent episode of Listen To Black Women, they tackle the question, can Black women literally afford to wait to have children?
Read MoreAll Things Natural At The Textur’d Hair And Beauty Show
Posted by Karen Bishop | Leave a Comment
I’ve worn my hair naturally mostly under protective hairstyles for a few years now. It just made things easier. But easier isn’t always better if you let a busy schedule and a non-existent hair care routine get in the way. If your natural hair isn’t getting TLC on a regular basis it will take a toll on the health of your hair. Let’s just say, my hair is in need of TLC, a good hair care routine and a few good products to match. Coincidently, timing couldn’t be better. The Textur’d Natural Hair & Beauty Show was happening right in my neck of the woods and I was able to catch day 2 of the event.
With over forty (mostly female) vendor’s, I looked forward to chatting it up with hair and beauty brands from Toronto and the United States. It was hard just to choose just one item from the variety of organic, vegan and naturally handmade products available. Almost all of the brands had a solution to maintain, repair and encourage healthy hair growth.
Not just a vendor showcase, several workshop facilitators shared their unique knowledge on everything to do with natural hair, body and skin care. Nutritional Consultant, Trisha Smith, discussed natural remedies and the connection between digestive disorders and the various effects on the hair. Certified Shea Butter Technician, Kedar Waterman, discussed the many healing properties of premium grade Shea Butter and it’s benefits.
I ATE whole wheat roti, coconut curry chickpeas and quinoa salad courtesy of Chic Peas Veg, a plant based catering company. I CHATTED with Ndija Anderson-Yantha, a natural hair advocate and author of “What are you going to do with that hair?” A non-fiction book encouraging young girls to celebrate and love their natural hair. And I BOUGHT, (with so many wonderful products to choose from) En’tyce Your Beauty’s Herbal Temple Root Gro to help with thinning edges. And Muthaland Secrets’ Three Leaves Special Body Bar to help tone and purify your skin. It was a great afternoon fill with positivity and love for all things natural!
My haircare brands wish-list to definitely try,
- Up North Naturals
- Flawless by Gabrielle Union
- Design Essentials
- London Ivy Products
What do you use in your natural hair?
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