BIPOC representation in wellness industry

What is white wellness?

Production studio Self Hired and emerging South Asian female documentary filmmaker and director Summan Kandola explores the colonial and capitalist impacts on the wellness industry in a new documentary Identity of Wellness.

In this documentary, Kandola sits down with industry leaders in yoga, meditation, martial arts, and athletes to better understand why she doesn’t feel welcomed in wellness spaces.

Check out our exclusive interview with Kandola for Cold Tea Collective’s “Watchlist” series, highlighting why Identity of Wellness is meaningful to her, the challenges around BIPOC representation in the wellness industry, and what changes she would like to see take place.

A woman sits crossed legged on the floor with her hands on her knees and with her eyes closed. The wall behind her is curtained and has soft light coming in. — photo submitted

A journey of self discovery and understanding

Kandola describes Identity of Wellness as a journey of self discovery and understanding.

She was compelled to tell this story because she was done with feeling othered in wellness spaces — and this documentary unpacks the many layers of social and cultural limitations caused by the industry.

This documentary is meaningful to Kandola because it opened up her eyes to what she’s looking for from the world of wellness. After her experiences of “genuinely sick of being in wellness spaces feeling ‘othered’” she explains how making this documentary allowed her to better understand what the industry is built on — both as a consumer and as a creator in this space.

A scene of BIPOC representation in the documentary identity of wellness. Two brown women sit in front of a set of cushions and stare at one another with smiles on their faces. — photo submitted

Finding joy in the documentary process

Kandola expressed that the interviews were hands down the best part about working on this documentary project. “Audiences get to see so many diverse characters and types of people,” she said, sharing how she enjoyed sitting with all the interviewees to discuss vulnerable topics.

She even had the opportunity to interview a lifelong friend Jessica, a South Asian yoga teacher, who opened Kandola’s eyes to the history of yoga, which was what had initially brought her to become interested in the topic of wellness.

“This film is meaningful to me because it outlines the journey of uncovering oneself and the social limitations we take on as our own.”

Two women are sit crossed legged as they face one another, showing BIPOC representation of practices of wellness. — photo submitted

BIPOC representation in the wellness industry

The biggest personal challenge for Kandola was being bold and communicating her truth.

“I would love to see more BIPOC teachers hold space in the wellness community,” she said, expressing how she’d love to see people take ownership of the type of movement they want.

Intention is important for Kandola, and she wants to see more wellness instructors practice intentionality in their roles to understand the impact and importance they are having on people’s daily lives.

While this documentary centers her personal experiences, Kandola hopes the film sparks healthy conversation and debate on BIPOC representation and cultural appropriation in the wellness space.

With Asian representation more important than ever, Kandola is proud to have a production team of South Asian, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese descent contributing to a project that holds space for these important discussions.

See more: Unpacking the Wellness Industry’s Whitewashing Problem

Identity of Wellness is now streaming on CBC Gem.
Photos submitted by studio self hired

Alicia Cheung

Alicia is a second-generation Chinese Canadian based in Toronto. She is a data-driven marketer who is passionate about storytelling and creating content. When she’s not working, she spends her time staying active, reading, indulging in all things matcha, and adding to her extensive list of places to eat around the city.

Ayoung Kim

Ayoung Kim is a Korean Canadian residing in Seoul. She has experience with event coordination in intercultural non-for-profits and as a current English graduate student believes in the power of language. Her passion for stories that resonate drew her to Cold Tea Collective to diversify the ‘canon’ of Asian diaspora narratives. Despite all odds, she hopes to one day make a life out of the noble art of literature, but is also acutely aware deep down, that she may have to start learning how to code. You can often find her traversing the city streets, forest paths or simply curled up behind a good book.