“the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another”
Have you noticed the lack of BIPOC, LGBQTI+, disabled, neurodiverse and larger bodied practitioners and leaders in Yoga?
We aim to provide an inclusive service and invite BIPOC, LGBTIQ+ and any people who identify as marginalised in some way to attend our classes and workshops at a subsidised rate (there is an option to let us know to arrange this for you on our booking form).
The Centre of Bright Beginnings acknowledges that we are privileged in many ways and that the reciprocity we can offer falls far short of the benefits that have been received both in terms of our location on First Nations land as well as our privileged access to and use of wellness support and modalities such as yoga which originated in South-East Asia.
This land (Mooro Country) was not ceded by its First Nations inhabitants - the Wadjak People of the Nyoongar Nation. And First Nations people all around Australia continue to be disadvantaged in many ways.
Yoga and its vast knowledge base originated in South-East Asia, yet the custodians continue to be underrepresented and the teachings appropriated in Western Yoga Spaces.
What is The Centre of Bright Beginnings doing?
We are committed to acknowledging injustices and inequity and raising awareness at every class, program or workshop we facilitate.
We aim to provide an inclusive service and invite BIPOC, LGBTIQ+ and any people who identify as marginalised in some way to attend our classes and workshops at a subsidised rate.
We donate 10% of annual profits to organisations that uplift First Nations and South-East Asian yoga teachers and wellness practitioners (5% to each).
We are invested in ongoing training to upskill in the areas of inclusivity and social justice.
We seek to partner with indigenous and South-East Asian professionals and companies wherever feasible.
We aim to participate in outreach to First Nations and South-East Asian communities.
We are a small, family-run business, so we are starting small. But we also hope that our work in this space will grow and also have a ripple effect within our community.
When you work with The Centre of Bright Beginnings, you are contributing to this reciprocity. But we also encourage you to take the time to consider where you may be privileged in your life and how you can give back in your own way.
“Yoga is Social Justice”
Reciprocity and First Nations People
We have been humbled to be involved with the work of Ngungwulah Aboriginal Corporation and its volunteers who work tirelessly towards ‘connecting yoga teachers and students with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, Culture, Community and Country’.
Ngungwulah's primary objective is to: ‘advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people's culture within the Australian wellness community’.
They have some wonderful resources to guide you on your own reciprocity journey, such as learning how to appropriately acknowledge country or undertake First Nations Cultural Training.
If you are moved to do so, you can also donate or otherwise get involved in supporting Ngungwulah.
5% of our annual profits will be donated to Ngungwulah Aboriginal Corporation.
Reciprocity and Yoga’s South-East Asian Roots
We have been deeply inspired during study undertaken with Susanna Barkataki, founder of the Ignite Yoga and Wellness Institute.
Ignite are working to shift the yoga industry in the West, with a vision of: ’an inclusive yoga culture where diverse voices are represented and the roots of yoga are honored’.
This includes centreing BIPOC, trans, queer, disabled, larger bodied voices, practitioners and leaders in Yoga and wisdom modalities that root from South Asia through the Ignite Future of Yoga Fund.
If you are moved to do so, you can also donate or otherwise get involved in supporting Ignite.
