Wellness
The health issues facing our communities, and the ways that we can change outcomes.
Just Breathe: Kiesha Yokers and the Importance of Breathwork
It's our first thought when we're stressed and overwhelmed, the first step we're taught to take when a moment is in danger of spinning out of control. Just breathe, and it will all come back into focus. But what about the rest of the time? Do we need to focus on our breathing even when things aren't terrible? And what if the anxiety lasts for more than a moment? What if it's rooted somewhere deep in our pasts or — just as likely — the present strain of making worldwide sickness and economic uncertainty, together with political, social, and environmental upheaval all seem like business as usual? Can just breathing help for more than a moment? Can it work to regulate our bodies as well as our minds to create the kind of wellness we need to survive the world we find ourselves in? According to wellness guru and breathwork specialist Kiesha Yokers, the answer to all of these questions is yes. We sat down with the Seattle-based Breathwork Facilitator & Somatic Life Coach to talk about her own journey to breathwork, the power of daily practice, and the potential she believes it holds for us all.
Mind & Body: What Tai Chi Can Do for the Black Community
Studies have shown that for all of the illnesses affecting Americans nationwide — heart disease and high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma, stroke, and stress — consistent Tai Chi practice can have a range of beneficial effects, improving motor function, reducing inflammation and more. For Black people, who suffer higher rates of incidence and mortality than other groups for these conditions, Tai Chi can be an essential part of a wellness routine. But like any practice, the first step to benefitting from Tai Chi is knowing what it is, what it does, and where to find it.
The Clarion Call: The People’s CDC Provides A Sobering Look at the COVID-19 Crisis
Every week, The People’s CDC, a coalition of public health practitioners, scientists, healthcare workers, educators, and advocates working to reduce the harmful impacts of COVID-19, releases a weather report. The volunteer-run organization sifts through data that’s becoming harder and harder to find on the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website. In a clear report, they inform citizens about transmission levels, new variants, wastewater levels, and hospitalizations, providing us with a snapshot of how the virus is progressing.
Plant Life: How Plants Can Aid in Your Wellness Routine
Whether you’re looking to be an expert home gardener growing your own salads and herbs, or just a capable plant parent able to keep things green for as long as possible, the world of plants has become one of the biggest home trends of 2020. Sustainable, affordable, and with big benefits for health and wellness, plant life is attracting a growing number of homeowners — especially millennials — who are looking to breathe new life into their spaces. And with so many of us only able to watch the seasons change through our windows, who wouldn’t love to bring a bit of the outdoors in? Growing along with the trend, a whole new crop of brands have sprung up, ready to help you not only find the perfect plants for your home, but care for them as well. We sat down with Evann E. Webb, the woman who runs social media for the Detroit-based brand Bloomscape to discuss all things plants and wellness.