My book recommendations on #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. These books have been grounding forces in my life, opened my eyes, got me unstuck and validated my experiences of racial trauma and anxiety.. Reading is something I struggled to do for so many years, I now realise my short attention span was definitely a lot to do with high anxiety levels. So here are a few that I love.
Firstly, Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma by Dr Gail Parker. I trained in Yoga Therapy for PTSD at the start of 2020, the course was in-depth and I left with a strong basis on how to treat PTSD symptoms. But I needed further support on understanding racial trauma, and how I can support my own mind and body with my daily lived experiences of racism. This book provided me with words, experiences, science and practices to process and heal from racial trauma. And it has been a massive influence on how I design and tailor practices. It legitimised my experiences of racial trauma and validated my built-up anxiety and stress. Reading this book was like taking a long slow exhale, and then having a big cry of relief. It has made me want to focus my teaching and future work on yoga therapy for racial trauma.
What I talk about when I talk about running by Haruki Murakami - my best friend, Nicola Doherty brought me this book when I was training for my first marathon, which I half-read at the time. I say first because my second marathon was cancelled due to the pandemic, but I fully intend to do a second and many more. I run to get the anxiety out of my body. I run every day, so far in 2021, I haven’t missed a day. I am currently re-reading this book, as it inspires me to keep up the running. When I run I am in a void of possibility and opportunity, it is some of my most mindful moments. You don’t have to be a runner to read this book, it is as much about determination and endurance in anything as it is in running. If you are a runner it might make you laugh a bit at recognisable points of serious pain on long runs!
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. This is a 12-step course to rediscover your creative self. I first read this in October last year, I was feeling stuck and I needed something to move me forward. As part of the 12-steps you journal every day 3 pages, I am currently on day 174 of journaling every day and I am addicted. For those that know me well, you’ll know I do this a lot! But once you start telling your soul to the morning pages and getting it all out you just can’t stop. This is my daily therapy.
Black Women’s Mental Health: Balancing Strength and Vulnerability, Edited by Stephanie Y. Evans, Kanika Bell and Nsenga K. Burton. This book has been so insightful to read, although all of the studies are from the US there are so many parallels to the UK. I felt pain reading some of the realities, I resonated with some of the experiences but I also felt so inspired that there was this incredible body of research with practical wellness models being explored for healing. I felt vulnerable reading it, vulnerable because it is the hard truth, but also so empowered with so much incredible knowledge about Black women’s mental health.
Lastly, Chakras - Wheels of Life by Dr Anodea Judith. This book is as much useful for me, as it holds a dear place in my heart. I got this book in a book exchange in a yoga retreat in Nepal quite a few years back. I use it weekly, chakras are an important part of my personal practice and teaching. I have varying levels of anxiety and returning to my energy circles to alter my experience has been so useful. I probably need to expand my chakra book collection but I feel very attached to this one because I loved Nepal and this book takes me back to that special place.
