Black History Month Mindfulness Practices

Celebrating Black History Month Through Mindfulness

February marks the 46th annual Black History Month in the U.S., a time to honor African American contributions while exploring mindfulness practices rooted in Black wellness traditions. The 2024 theme "Black Health and Wellness" highlights holistic approaches to well-being across the African diaspora.

The 2024 Black History Month Theme: Health & Wellness

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History explains this year's focus acknowledges:
- Western medical pioneers
- Traditional healing practices
- Community wellness rituals
- Holistic health practitioners (midwives, herbalists, etc.)

This theme reminds us that mindfulness takes many cultural forms, each offering valuable wisdom about awareness, compassion, and healing.

Black Mindfulness Teachers Share Their Wisdom

Jenée Johnson describes mindfulness as reclamation: "An African principle called sankofa - reclaiming what was lost. Black people have practiced mindfulness forever through movements like the Montgomery bus boycott."

6 Mindfulness Practices for Black History Month

1. Connect Through Interdependence (Ghylian Bell)

• 20-minute guided practice
• Focus on our interconnectedness
• "Remember who you are and what connects us all"

2. Find Quiet Moments (Ashanti Branch)

• Practice anywhere (bus, train, traffic)
• Simple breath awareness
• "Carve out peace amid chaos"

3. Body Wisdom Meditation (Michelle Maldonado)

• Create a "body map" of emotions
• Tune into physical intelligence
• Develop greater self-awareness

4. Process Difficult Emotions (Rhonda Magee)

• Grounding practice for challenging content
• Cultivate inner peace
• "Well-being begins right here, right now"

5. Reclaim Joy (Sebene Selassie)

• Connect to breath and body
• Experience belonging
• "Build capacity for presence with kindness"

6. Deep Rest Practice (Jenée Johnson)

• Guided relaxation meditation
• Honor body's need for rest
• "Journey from sound to silence"

Continuing Your Mindfulness Journey

These practices offer pathways to:
- Honor Black wellness traditions
- Expand your mindfulness toolkit
- Cultivate cultural awareness
- Support personal and collective healing

Explore more resources on Black mindfulness teachers and traditions to deepen your practice year-round.