TULSA, Okla.–Danielle Miner, a licensed professional counselor and mindfulness facilitator in Tulsa, Oklahoma, wants Black women to recognize that healing is as vital—and courageous—as the roles of hustler and caretaker they so often carry.
Mindfulness and meditation are typically personal practices, but as a mother of two, Miner also considered their impact on her children. “I thought about how it would help me raise my kiddo,” she told the Black Wall Street Times.
Miner’s doctoral work incorporated race relations and social justice work. She said she wanted to raise children who were socially aware. Mindfulness helped her parenting journey as well. She would ask herself, “What kind of energy am I bringing home?”
After the way meditative practices helped her personally, Miner used them in her business. Aspire to Breathe offers classes about understanding the role of mindfulness in one’s life and also offers in-person opportunities to practice meditation.
How Danielle Miner tackles Oklahoma’s mental health crisis
Even as online and remote meditation spaces become more available, Miner wanted to focus on connections that share physical space. Starting new practices can bring up questions, so being with others might bring answers to those questions.
“I saw how vital community was as we were losing community,” Miner said. The often called “dual pandemic” of COVD-19 and systemic racism highlighted needs among Black people, especially women. Miner cited national statistics about the dangers of loneliness as well the small percentage of Black mental health professionals.
Miner specifically noted Oklahoma’s mental health crisis and knew she wanted to help more people. As more Black women began seeking therapy, Miner knew she could only personally counsel about 25 per week.
She started Aspire to Breathe as a way to reach more. “I wanted to be able to help support the community in other ways, to fill the gap,” she said.
Miner centers her experiences on Black, Indigenous and People of Color. “I wanted individuals to know that this space – as best as I can – is free from the White gaze,” she said. Miner understands the importance of people feeling safe while they “notice the patterns of their minds.”
Learning how to ask for help
Danielle Miner is aware that it is not always easy for Black people to ask for help. “There are some beliefs or cultural norms that make it difficult for individuals to engage in their own healing process,” she said.
She also acknowledges that it can be difficult to seek help. “Black women have a very long legacy of caring for others at the detriment of their own wellbeing,” she said. Miner cited historical causes for it, such as enslavement, the War on Drugs, and even the more recent “hustle culture.”
She hopes to invite individuals to prioritize themselves anyway. “Asking for help and connecting with others around your healing journey is a strength. It’s brave.”
Danielle Miner will be providing a Mindful Mamas Meditation group each Thursday in April.
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