Re-Thinking Wellness: A Feminist Approach to Health and Fitness

Abstract

Is wellness a feminist issue? Can self-care contribute to popular paradigm disruption? Fitness and wellness are often approached in decidedly non-feminist ways, with popular culture’s emphasis on beauty and size detracting from the core benefit of any personal wellness practice – empowerment. This paper explores the roots of feminist critiques of sexist beauty norms and thinness mandates and analyses how these provide barriers to holistic wellness in society at large, and within the feminist community. From “besieged feminists” to athletes and sex radicals, women are affected by the negative messaging currently deployed concerning fitness ideals. Fitness ideals and beauty norms combine to promote and image of thin as ideal, rather than athletic or strong. Mindfulness-based wellness practices can build individual awareness and strength and create communities of connection that foster social change. Self-care and the embrace of our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves is a feminist notion.