BIPOC RESOURCES
BIPOC OFFERINGS, SCHOLARSHIPS, & MORE IN THE HEALTH & WELLNESS INDUSTRY
CURATED BY rOXY mENZIES (UPDATED APRIL 2022)
To add resources, please email Roxy Menzies at pilateswithroxy@gmail.com.
** a double asterisk denotes that the individual or owner(s) of the company is BIPOC
PILATES
Created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century and originally called “Contrology”, Pilates is a system of exercises designed to enhance the body’s potential by correcting muscular imbalances, finding optimal alignment, and creating efficient movement patterns (cited by Roxy Menzies in Healthline). Pilates can be done with your body and mat only or on specialized equipment.
Whether you’re new or a veteran of Pilates, Pilates history reminds us that two of the Elders were Women of Colour and the only two to receive certification from Mr. Pilates. Kathleen Standford Grant was an exceptional Black woman, the first to teach Pilates and run her own studio. To learn more about her, check out Balanced Body’s Diversity in Pilates tribute to her; it includes a documentary put together by Cara Reeser with most of the footage and information from Maria Earle. You can also check out Blossom Leilani Crawford’s tribute website. The other woman is Lolita San Miguel, still going strong! Read more about her here.
Toronto, Ontario Canada
info@musemovement.ca
Sliding scale teacher training scholarship, 1 month of weekly pro bono private sessions for BIPOC and/or Queer, Trans or non-binary folks
Newport Beach, California USA + some International Basi centers
Pilates Elder Kathy Grant mentored BASI founder Rael Isacowitz and he’s offered this scholarship for years. In 2020 it was relaunched with a focus on African American recipients - one male & one female each year in the USA. International BASI branches are extending the Kathy Grant scholarship to BIPOC. This is a FULL scholarship: tuition and manuals are covered. Must have at least a year’s experience doing Pilates. You’ll find the form and relevant info here.
London, England UK
ella.porter@bodycontrol.co.uk
This is for MATWORK only, covers 13 modules and scholarships cover 85% of tuition. A bulk of the work is covered online but supervised observation hours and more need to be in-person.
San Francisco, CA, USA
Contact rsalahuddin@pilatesschoolsf.com for scholarship details.
Classical Pilates taught by Rayannah Salahuddin, a veteran in the industry, strives for an inclusive environment for BIPOC, LBGTQIA and plus sized bodies.
4 locations: Kinetic MKE (Milwaukee), Pure Pilates (Boston), The Good Space (Houston), Pilates Connection (Dallas-Ft. Worth) USA
Try their contact form for more details.
Full scholarship for Level 1 comprehensive Peak training, includes materials.
Oakland, California, USA
This amazing program was put together by superhero Tonya Marie Amos and quite frankly makes me want to drop everything and move there to partake in this program!!
Open to Black & Brown Bay Area residents, the 2 years certification includes Pilates skills, pre/post natal education, mental health counseling, dance for literacy, nutrition and cooking skills, general fitness, financial empowerment and business building skills, paid internships, and more. Check out this video for more about the program.
There are too many locations to mention here! Includes all over the USA, Costa Rica, France & Canada.
All details and contact info can be found on the Diversity In Pilates site through the links. Make sure you look under “Community Expansion Scholarship Program” for the Balanced Body scholarships. *please note that the “Joyful Movement Scholarship Program” is NOT Balanced Body but they are sponsoring that program.
A huge round of applause must go to Tonya Amos who has been tirelessly advocating for programs like these for years. It must be noted that in 2020 Balanced Body really started stepping up.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PILATES TEACHERS
HYBRID ONLINE - pre-recorded online content followed by a weekend of live zoom learning labs
Use the contact form on the site
Buff Bones® is the brain and bone child of Rebekah Rotstein. It’s a medically endorsed system of bone and joint health - geared for ALL ages. Open to various movement and exercise professionals with at least 5 years of teaching experience. You should familiarize yourself with the traditional Pilates method prior to the live training.
ONLINE - live + replays
Click here for where to apply (scroll down)
Designed for advanced movement and Pilates instructors, it’s a 3 course immersive training to enhance assessment, manual skills, and training plans.
GYROTONIC®
Gyrotonic® is a modality that has been described as a massage from the inside out or a blend of swimming, dancing and tai chi. It’s a modality with great depth that goes far beyond ‘stretching’ and builds suppleness and strength. Gyrotonic® is done with machines, notably one in particular: The Pulley Tower. Gyrokinesis® is done with a stool/chair and a mat.
There are 4 components to becoming level 1 certified; pre-training, foundation, apprentice and a final practical exam (it’s important to find out if all of them or which ones are covered with scholarship). Courses are taught by Master Trainers, who have been selected to teach. At the time of this writing, scholarships are offered by the Master Trainers themselves and not supported by Gyrotonic® headquarters.
Washington DC, USA
Contact: frontdesk@elementscenter.com
Owner Justine has been offering FULL scholarships for quite a while; in 2021 she had a group of 21 Black women complete their Gyrotonic level 1 certification. She finds this more supportive than 1 or 2 scholarships at a time and tirelessly seeks out other trainings all over America for scholarship recipients.
2 locations
Resilient Body - Toronto, Ontario Canada
Gyrotonic Kansas City Centre - Leawood, Kansas USA
MASTER TRAINER JANE GOTCH
West Coast, USA
Developed by Master Trainer Debra Rose of San Francisco GYROTONIC®, it has been said that the scholarships for teacher training, as well as opportunities for sessions, was modelled after what Justine from Elements in Washington is doing. The idea is for more opportunities for BIPOC individuals to experience Gyrotonic® on the West Coast.
Montana, USA
Kate Jordan Augusto
info@kineticbodymissoula.com
Topeka, Kansas USA
Tijuana L. Gray
tijuana@engracemovement.com
Out of Kinespirit Circle
Portland, Oregon USA
hello@muffiedelgadoconnelly.com
**offers scholarships and sliding scale for teacher training and private sessions**
Phoenix GYROTONIC® at Kinesphere Center
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Dominika Gaines
info@kinesphere-studio.com
Out of InJoy Movement Studio
Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
emily.n.hudson@gmail.com
Pre-training only in Gyrotonic® and/or Gyrokinesis®
EMILY NOLAND HUDSON
Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Aimee McDonald
aimee@gyrotonicannarbor.com
Virginia Beach, USA
Kinney is a certified Pilates & Gyrotonic® trainer and is offering sessions in both modalities to any BIPOC individual in her area that is in the process of becoming a teacher.
Additional Work/Study opportunity for someone in Seattle, Washington State, USA
Full training in Gyrotonic® or Pilates covered with a 2 year teaching contract at the studio; if individual leaves before the contract is up there is a prorated prepayment plan
YOGA
by Tiffany Cruikshank
ONLINE
info@yogamedicine.com
ONLINE
kellykammyoga@gmail.com
Offers scholarships for classes and teacher training
Richmond, Virginia, USA
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
ONLINE
Mancos, Colorado, USA
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan USA
Pre/Post natal Yoga Teacher Training
Toronto, ON, Canada
info@torontoyogaco.ca
There are 2 types of programmes:
1 - A full Mentorship scholarship offered to BIPOC individuals; it’s a 6 week Hybrid online & in person mentorship programme for graduates of a teacher training, including unlimited membership to the studio and professional branding photo shoot **info was through a link on IG - please email them
2 - Four different level scholarships (25, 50, 75 or 100% coverage) offering 4 consecutive months of unlimited membership. Applications on the website: you can apply, nominate or be nominated. This is open to all and based on need.
Hybrid - Online: pre-recorded material & LIVE cohort with Brigette Arle
Comprehensive training with additional guest speakers covering topics such as Body Size Inclusive Pregnancy, Gender Affirming care, Pregnancy & Infant loss, honouring Queer & Trans families, and much more. One full & one partial BIPOC scholarship per year is available, as well as payment options.
ONLINE
Offers donation based classes for teachers of colour
AfroYoga **
Yoga for children with special needs
ONLINE
OTHER MODALITIES
ONLINE
Use the contact form for additional info.
Suitable for any age, great for cross training or overall pain relief The Melt Method® is a logical, science backed system that hydrates the fascia of the body. Hydrating the fascia is the key to moving with ease. The Melt Method uses soft foam rollers and hand/foot balls.
ONLINE
barreeclipse@gmail.com
Barre fitness created by Adrienne Rabena (of Alo Moves): she offers partial scholarships for Black and Indigenous individuals and exclusive discounts to People of Colour.
ONLINE
assistant@janeclapp.com
Jane Clapp’s work was in the realm of trauma and movement. She’s now focused on Jungian somatics. She offers scholarship and sliding scale on some of her courses and webinars, contact for more info.
Calgary, Alberta Canada
Apply online here
They offer 2 types of scholarships: a one year pass to online and in person classes or instructor training plus 6 months studio pass.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Here are some resources to help out with the business side of being a fitness and wellness instructor.
It’s very easy, at any stage in your career, to want to check out EVERYTHING and end up spiraling down a rabbit hole of endless information and little action. I would suggest checking out these links, having a quick look and choose 1, maybe 2 to delve into. Remember it’s a journey and these resources aren’t going anywhere!
CGF (for anyone really, not just girls) has free courses on anything and everything related to finances. From learning about types of life insurance, how to budget, how to invest, paying for a wedding, to helping build a business, CGF is a great starting point for learning, growth, and ideas.
Check out Krista for inspiration. She’s a biz coach, a professor of dance, artist and entrepreneur. She’s made a mark in the commercial dance scene and melded her passion and background of Soca and fitness to create the nationally accredited Wukkout®, a high energy dance fitness class with great music.
Paula Marie has all kinds of biz advice for marketing: how to utilize Pinterest to enhance your business, step by step guide to Black Friday sales and much more. You’ll get tons of tips and info about her offers when you sign up for her newsletter.
Even if you’re not a yoga teacher there are a lot of episodes that can help you with your fitness business. Hostess Shannon Crowe brings on experts with how-to’s from hosting fitness challenges, to zoom tips, to website tips, to filling workshops and retreats, and much much more.
Run by Angie Franklin, there are business related courses and masterclasses along with mentorship and even a fun yoga style quiz. The blog covers a vast array of topics plus there’s a podcast. There’s a series of podcast episodes about Black wellness in which Angie speaks with People of Colour in various cities around the world.
AfroYoga **
A storyteller, speaker, and entrepreneur, Sandra inspires you with faith in yourself and tips for healthy habit building. Check out her podcast where she not only breaks down everything about habits but speaks with a lot of inspirational Black women.
Sandra Chuma **
Misty is a teacher trainer, presenter, business and studio owner, and exceptional speaker with a wicked sense of humour. She has a firm, intelligent and fair way of looking at things in the industry. Misty offers workshops and mentorship and a weekly dose of Thoughtflows, conversations with Nicky Taylor Steward.
Misty Lynne **
Meaning: Any Born Conscious Desi (any person with roots in South Asia). They offer programs and workshops through authentic and cultural context for yoga students. Made up of a growing international group of instructors, membership is open and encouraged for everyBODY.
ABCDYogi **
The home of the SLAP programme, a 13 month software programme based on Behavior Change Science to help you build your business. They sometimes offer a free workshop and workbook and also have the Impact5x Economic Justice Project. It’s a pay-what-you-can year long mentorship programme for small business owners from marginalized communities.
Kara Stewart-Agostino runs 30/30 Strong for BIPOC Women, a weekly online meeting of a 30 min workout led by her or guests and 30 min of conversation. It’s a free community gathering organized by Kara with participants from around the world.
KSA Fitness **
Lencola Green is a Pilates teacher trainer that offers additional experience and know-how to her students about branding and partnerships. Check out her blog for inspiration and tips for photography, cueing, assessment and more.
