Wellness Past Whiteness: Jazreena Harlow, Sound Healer

Jazreena Harlow is a transformative life coach with an emphasis on self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-control. She is also a crystal acoustic therapist (also known as a sound healer) and the founder of The Sistaship – a membership community that helps women step out of the overwhelming environment and guide them through the introspective journey of finding themselves and aligning with the purpose of their soul bring to.

She is determined to help women have deeper connections with their heart and intuition in order to regain their inner wisdom and sovereignty.

Wanderlust: Since the events in June, have you noticed the real changes wellness companies, platforms and firms have made to become inclusive and diverse? We all know that actions speak louder than words.

Jazreena: Inclusivity has certainly shifted. Whether it's real or not is another conversation, but I've seen much more diverse feeds and representation in advertising and I'm all there for it.

Wanderlust: Would you say that white centrism in the wellness industry has influenced the path of trauma healing for blacks? In other words, blacks less likely to find a solution for themselves because of underrepresentation?

Jazreena: I would agree that it is much more difficult for black people to find the right therapy, yes. In all aspects, there was a lack of understanding of how racial differences in health care affect the lives of black people. Much of our trauma stems from the effects of systemic racism, so you can see why it can be very difficult, and at times almost impossible, to receive therapy in diasporas who are normally not aware of or used to the well-being of black people. You just need to look at the medical statistics to find out how this fails with people of color. Black women are more likely to suffer from mental health

Problems and more likely to die during childbirth.

Wanderlust: Sound therapy is an extremely whitewashed area with a certain stereotype of what a sound healer should look like. What are the main challenges you faced when you established yourself in this field?

Jazreena: I think that for most things it is my personal approach to always find a place at the table. I'm used to being in white-centered spaces. I grew up as the only black girl in my elementary school year. I grew up in an area that was mostly white, so in most of the rooms my expectation is that I can be the only black person or woman in the room – even during my career.

The main challenges are to first be visible and then, among other things, to be seen as credible. I love what I do and am good at what I do. I try not to let this become a barrier for me.

Wanderlust: On your Instagram, instead of ignoring the basics, you looked at the topic of “higher vibrations”. Is this one of the problems in the holistic and spiritual world, as one can rely on sharing the "words of wisdom" and ticking the box that she or he did her job without actually driving the change?

Jazreena: Exactly, yes. I think it's an easier pill for people to swallow. It relieves the people who do the actual inner work. You can use the “illusion” argument to avoid addressing your own unconscious prejudices. I've seen a lot of comments from whites who find conversations about race diversified and part of a distraction agenda. I found reading these types of comments hurtful, very dismissive, and disrespectful.

Wanderlust: What are the top resources you would point people to for further education? Books, websites, podcasts, films.

Jazreena: As I am from the UK, my proposals are aimed at the UK.

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