Jaylee & You Good Sis: Making Space in Wellness For Black & Brown Communities.
“I think it’s also hard to be what you can’t see. How can I be this yoga teacher, how can I find this wellness when I’m not represented in this space at all?”
It took a chance encounter at a book signing and an audience member’s statement of, “I really want to practice but I feel so uncomfortable because no one looks like me in classes or who are teaching classes” for Rach Junard and Jaylee Momplaisir to create You Good Sis.
Three years later these women are working hard to change the image of what wellness means to include that of their own black community and other communities of color.
We had the chance to sit down with one of these amazing women, Jaylee Momplaisir, to speak about the challenges facing communities of color when it comes to wellness as well as what they are doing to make sure this space is not only inclusive but feels safe.
SO YOU MET RACH AT A BOOK SIGNING?
We are both from Boston and we happen to be at a book signing of another black, fem, yoga teacher by the name of Jessamyn Stanley. We were sitting about four seats apart from each other and someone in the audience, another black woman, had raised her hand and said, “I really want to practice but I feel so uncomfortable because no one looks like me in classes or who are teaching classes.” I raised my hand and said, “I’m a teacher” I looked to my right and Rach had also raised her hand. So after that we ended up standing next to each other in line for the book signing and we talked the entire time. We were sharing what our experiences were like both doing corporate yoga here in Boston and we were really having this euphony of, “Damn, I have been looking for you right?!” The feeling of finally feeling seen you know, another dark skinned black girl here in Boston and both really vibing with this wellness scene. Then both of us being like, “Wait why don’t we belong in this space?”
It was funny one of the first things we connected on was, “I’ve been tryin to get my auntie to get on her mat, I know she needs it with her diabetes.” As well as this idea that we also couldn’t connect with our community about wellness. Where we go to these spaces and no one looks like us and we’re trying to bring up our people to feel good and get into wellness but they’re not trying to come either. So it’s like what are these bridges? Those were the two really big issues that we felt needed to be addressed and when we met each other we were like, “Yes, I think the same thing and lets solve this problem.” We ended up connecting and coming up with “You Good Sis.” We had our first event at Four Corners Yoga, which is also a black owned Yoga Studio here in Dorchester, Boston and ever since then it’s just been love. It’s also been beautiful to see different generations get into this, and to see rooms of all different shades just breathing which is a revolutionary act.
WHAT CHALLENGES do people of color face IN THE WELLNESS SPACE?
I think there are two big issues with that. My partner, my husband, is also a black man so there were times, especially when we were just dating and I would be like, “come to my yoga class or come to my friends yoga class” and people would feel a way when he would roll out his yoga mat. People would pull their mat away from his because they didn’t want to practice with a black man. So imagine being like, “my girl is inviting me to this space, I feel so warm, I feel so welcome,” then someone goes out of their way to be like no you don’t belong. I think it’s also hard to be what you can’t see. How can I be this yoga teacher, how can I find this wellness when I’m not represented in this space at all? Those were the two biggest things that had Rach and I say no more, we absolutely have to create a safe space.
how are you going about creating that safe space?
Before when we could have in person events we were very intentional with who we partnered with, where we went in the city, if it was accessible, were there people that looked like us there working? Not being behind the desk or the toilet but actually working in these organizations and being very explicit that this space is for black and brown individuals. That if you wanted to support our work this is how you could do it but to please respect our intention behind that. I think that is powerful in itself, it’s powerful to go to an event that is inclusive and we will be the bouncers at the door welcoming you in.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE SOME FACTORS THAT CAUSE HESITATION In BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES TO EMBRACE THE WELLNESS SPACE?
Well here in Boston wellness is very white, so I think it’s hard. Even when I told my mom that I was going to do my teacher training for yoga, four years ago, she was like, “that’s for white people, what are you doing?” I was like no, yoga, breathing, wellness, that’s for all of us. I also think that there is this idea of, “oh no I can’t do that” or “only rich white people can do that” or “I don’t deserve to actually relax, I don’t deserve to have this place of peace” mentality that I think is generational trauma and a cycle. Black people, our liberation is tied to rest, to taking care of ourselves, and teaching our kids how to take care of ourselves in a really sustainable, healthy, and holistic way. I think that has been my biggest driving force, to be an example to my family and to say, “No it’s [wellness] not just for white people, you’re going to come and you’re going to bring auntie too and here we go.” And that I’m going to create this space and it is going to be safe so I can see a room full of black people practicing. My mother has been on this earth for 60 years and has never seen that, when she did she was told me, “You’re breaking systems and doing things that I didn’t even know existed” that’s powerful on a whole different note.
OTHER THAN YOGA WHAT ELSE DO YOU OFFER?
We like to say we are a spiritual, physical, mental place for people to check in. We do a lot of different things, we just did a twerk yoga class that I’m still feeling sore from. We’ve done hip hop yoga, yin yoga based with SZA, which I also think is a way for people that look like us to get interested in yoga. That no it doesn’t have to be this big, deep, serious thing where you’re just humming, I mean yes it can be but it’s always a “yes, and.” We’ve also done an acupuncture workshop which has been amazing to introduce that to our community because previously there’s been a price point barrier. Also, for our events if people can’t pay we always have scholarship tickets available. We done chakras workshops, tarot workshops, which I love because I had always seen white people do tarot and I was like wait black people do this, I had to check my own bias. (laughing) I think that’s something we really are passionate about too, if we have an interest we like to find a POC (Person Of Color) to put on this platform and really educate us. We are always open to sharing, we’ve co hosted a ton of events. We just co-hosted two events one with Audrey Cash where we did the twerk yoga class as well as Adriana Adelé who is based in Philadelphia, it’s been really beautiful to transition our model to virtual as we’ve been able to reach more people and expand our offering.
HOW DO WE GET MEN OF COLOR TO FEEL LIKE YOGA IS A SPACE FOR THEM AS WELL?
It goes to representation, my husband definitely had some feelings when he first started but when he kept going to the studio, kept going to the classes, he would be leaving with friends. I was left like wait, um I brought you. I also think it’s these boundaries and barriers we put in our heads. One thing You Good Sis is really passionate about and that we are rolling out this year is yoga teacher scholarships. We want to make sure we are making space for our black brothers, we want to make sure we are making room for any POC that needs to be represented in this space, male or female. So that is another big initiative that we are working on.
A yoga scholarship?
We already rolled out a black wellness matters t-shirt as our t-shirt fundraiser for now and we’re looking to do more of that. October will be our big fundraising party so that will be our three year anniversary and we’re really hoping to use the money based on that to drive funds for a yoga teacher scholarship. We would love to have at least three spots available for people to use.
WHAT ARE YOUR KEY PRACTICES THAT REMIND YOU TO CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF?
For me, I think “self-care” has gotten too hyped so I like to call it “soul-care” and ask myself what am I doing to really take care of my soul, from my head to the tips of my toes? I think it’s empowering to reframe that. So often we ask ourselves what am I doing for myself? I need to drink a gallon of water and workout and yes that is apart of wellness but it’s a “yes and.” For me, it’s been a reshaping of “what does my soul need today?” Do I need a long walk alone, do I need to drink a ton of water and really feel hydrated, connected to source, and feel that flow but it’s that intentional question of what does my soul needs and how can I give myself that? So framing my wellness into my own definition.
I think too, especially in a pandemic y’all we need to be flexible and compassionate with ourselves. Every day I catch myself and I’m like nope I’m going to choose something kind to say. Our bodies are putting ourselves through so much, the trauma, the fear, and the loss of someone or your job all while going through a pandemic, there is so much stress on us right now and it’s an election year! So I think now more than ever it’s so easy to default and be like, “oh I’m just going to say something nice” but please check in with yourself. Keep your self-talk kind, if it’s not having someone check you, or put an affirmation up. Even on the days that are hard for me, I’m like, “Okay I’m just going to put a post-it up, I’m going to look at the post-it and I’m going to let that be my energy.” But really check in with, what am I consuming, does it make me feel good, is it making me feel good and really thinking about my self talk.
Lastly, especially being from the East Coast, is just enjoying the sun. Get outside when you can even if its just sitting out, or a walk, or you have time to go to the beach, of course with a mask, but I’m definitely anticipating the fall and winter being harder months. So really trying to enjoy the sunlight while I can.
WHAT ARE SOME MANTRAS YOU LIKE TO LIVE BY?
I love Rao and Honey, it’s a black-owned brand in Brooklyn, but in my office, I have “It’s good you are here” and I have “Young, gifted, and black.” Then I always say “be still and know” that’s how I open every meditation, be still and know, reconnecting with my own inner power, my own strength, my own inner guide.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO IS apprehensive ABOUT STARTING THEIR WELLNESS JOURNEY?
One is that everything we do is meditation. I think so often we put out these obstacles of I don’t have mat, or I don’t go to this studio, when in reality if you’re washing dishes and connecting with yourself, that’s yoga, if you’re going for a walk and being mindful of your thoughts, that’s yoga. Just really reframing of what you’re doing and being more intentional is a form of wellness. Two, really take advantage of these apps, everyday my cousins are putting me on, I’m blown away by technology. I know I’m trying to find balance with technology since we are all connected now but Inside Timer is a great meditation app. I love Liberate app which is black-owned and created. Then just give yourself grace, everything can be wellness as long as it comes with intentionality.
DESCRIBE YOUR SLAY.
I get up, I’m meditating, I’m saying what’s up to my accentors, I’m drinking my water and I’m doin the damn thing. I have a spiritual routine, I really think about how I start and end my day is really important. So whether it’s a drink of water, journaling and really letting the day go and releasing, walking my dog, I try to whine down the same way I begin.
All photos by: @koubrittphotography