Black Girls Breathing: Healing Trauma Through Breathwork

How Black Girls Breathing Supports Mental Health Through Trauma-Informed Breathwork

Breathe Together. Heal Together. Grow Together. These words embody the mission of Black Girls Breathing, a groundbreaking organization founded by Jasmine Marie to address racial trauma and mental health disparities among Black women.

The Healing Power of Breathwork for Black Women

Jasmine Marie recognized a critical gap in mental health resources:

"Black women needed a space to heal the trauma that's trapped in their body. Trauma is held. We can work on every system to be more at ease and balanced."

Key benefits of their trauma-informed approach:
- Addresses racial stress and intergenerational trauma
- Creates safe spaces for emotional release
- Combats mental health stigma in Black communities

Mindfulness Redefined for Black Communities

Since 2018, Black Girls Breathing has offered:
- Monthly online and in-person breathwork sessions
- Sliding-scale pricing for accessibility
- Culturally-relevant mindfulness practices

Marie explains:

"We've been doing mindfulness in different ways - like seeing your grandma humming while cooking. Those are mindful moments."

Breaking Barriers in Mental Health Care

The organization's innovative model includes:
1. Community-based healing circles
2. Data collection to highlight healthcare disparities
3. Partnerships to expand mental health access

By 2025, they aim to impact 1 million Black women and girls.

Self-Care for Caregivers: Jasmine Marie's Approach

Even healers need healing. Marie prioritizes:
- Simple restorative activities (grocery trips with family)
- Setting realistic impact expectations
- Celebrating small victories

Her guiding question: "If everything stopped now, would you be proud?"

Join the Movement

Black Girls Breathing demonstrates how culturally-responsive wellness programs can transform mental health outcomes. Their work proves that when Black women heal, entire communities thrive.