Episode #2: Jonelle Lewis On Challenging White Privilege in the Wellness Industry

Jonelle Lewis is a yoga teacher, mentor, brand ambassador and respected figure in the London wellness industry (and is currently based in Los Angeles). For years she's pointed out inconsistencies around lack of diversity, sexual harassment, cultural appropriation and privilege in the yoga and wellness world. With the spotlight on #BlackLivesMatter and systemic racism in all areas of society, Jonelle has stepped into her voice and been invited to contribute her wisdom more widely. Betsy and Jonelle talk about 'spiritual capitalism' in the modern yoga industry, how Western yoga teachers need to be honest about the spiritual roots of yoga, calling out hypocrisy productively and how practicing discomfort with others provides community and accountability. Betsy confesses that, as a yoga and meditation teacher who escaped an oppressive conservative Christian background, she gets triggered by the idea of being a 'pretendy white Hindu.' You can follow Jonelle on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jonelleyoga And get info on her yoga workshops on https://www.jonellelewis.com