this time
no winterblues!
pop-up community
Black, Indigenous and gender-nonconforming
(= BIG*)- centered
free & nonprofit
neurodivergent
laid back
dissolves in spring
Together, we beat winter blues. In this pop-up community, you will find resources, self experiments and group challenges for self care, self solidarity and lifting your mood. We also host virtual meetings for silent co-working, relaxation, gentle yoga, meditations suitable for ADHD, virtual movie nights, tools helpful with CPTSD, and more.
Video Invitation
Swami Dhyanananda
initiator, program host
Monastic of Vedānta and Yoga, lifelong learner, invested in intersectional well-being. Proponent of Black European civil rights and empowerment. Will not proselytize.
FAQ
It means that this space belongs to Black people, Indigenous people and gender-nonconforming people (BIG*).
It is most important they know they are safe and welcome and are given preference.
BIG* face the most neglect from the health industry. There are few safe spaces for BIG in Europe.
Most resources for mental health, overall health and well being do not take into account specific needs from BIG.
In the wellness industry (e.g. yoga classes, spa's, therapy), BIG* face the same frequent discrimination as in everyday life.
BIG* have the least access to financial and other resources to compensate for the neglect of their well being.
Most of the world has been treating the health of BIG* as negligible for centuries. Repair work is necessary.
Yes. You are very welcome. The only condition is that you remember it is a space for BIG* and revolves around their well-being.
Therefore, we ask you to not engage in discussions around BIG-only topics, or attend events which are marked BIG* only.
Also, please consider donating.
Black, Indigenous and gender-nonconforming survival and empowerment cultures have always been treated as a commodity/self-service/free inspiration, to be used for others' benefit. To acknowledge this and partake in reparation, it is a good practice to donate to community-led programs.
For example, somebody of non-german ancestry, but not Black, Indigenous or gender-nonconforming, also faces discrimination in Germany. But they still likely have networks, hereditary resources, diasporas, or ancestral countries where they are not abused and persecuted. With some of these, they can start empowerment and health programs. If they benefit from a program as ours before exhausting their own resources for their well being (and that of BIG* people), a compensation is warranted.
Facing global neglect, hostility and persecution, as well as normalised exclusion and hate from your ancestral country and country of residence (police, justice system, medical system, education system), your family and your neighbourhood, is a particular dimension BIG* people have to deal with.
It means that you don't identify with the gender that was assigned to you at birth,
or that you don't fit in the categories "female"/"male",
or that your appearance or authentic gender expression leads to frequent misgendering or gender-binary-based harrassment
No worries. You don't need to label yourself at all. The reason we 'categorise' is to make extra sure all members understand and acknowledge how and why this space centers BIG* people.
You will get an e-mail asking to confirm that you signed up. When you confirm, you get asked to agree with the supportive space agreement. Once you agree, you get access to the community.
In the community are
experiments and challenges for well-being
live events (yoga, cooking, comedy night, talk, co-working, meditation)
videos explaining topics that are relevant for BIG* mental health and well being
How much or little you interact, is always entirely up to you.
You may also receive e-mail every once in a while, to help you stay motivated , which you can opt-out of at any time.
Everything is optional. How much you use and partake is up to you.
We hear you. You can donate according to your capacity, and you can always offer to volunteer your time.
Saddened to hear that. Discrimination is always unjust and hurtful.
You are welcome to participate. Please read the answers to the above questions to learn why we are making these differences.
That is wonderful. Make sure you are also financially planning for difficult times.
If you like this program, consider donating according to your capacity. We are an independent non-profit, solely based on community donations.
Unfortunately at this point it is only in English. We welcome volunteers for translating the videos and content into German and other languages. If you have friends who would like to volunteer translation, send them our way; our contact E-Mail is nowinterblues {ät} pranavastiftung (dot) de
Yoga is a Hindu tradition, which is to be acknowledged and accepted if you join a yoga class. Other than that, there is no religious talk or elements.
If meditation contains Hindu elements, it will be announced beforehand.
image credit: Photo of person in snow by Leonid Privalov on Unsplash. Crude editing by Swami
