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Self-Care is for EVERYONE

One woman's journey to create inclusivity in the world of healing and self love.

By Maria MoralesPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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Tree Pose

I met Mercia in college back in 1994. She was thin and absolutely stunning, with beautiful and piercing light eyes. Upon first glance, she appeared to be the perfect young woman with no cares in the world. However, appearances can be deceiving and Mercia was everything but what I had assumed upon our introduction. Instead of being the self centered young woman I expected her to be, Mercia was actually one of the most selfless and outspoken friends I would make during my college years.

Mercia Cummings, MA, LCPC, NCC

Mercia was always the voice of reason in our friend circle.  Loyal to her friendships, she was even more loyal to her pursuit of truth and authenticity.  She encouraged each and every one of us to live our truths during a time where pretending to be someone or something else was the status quo.  It was the 90’s after all; if you weren’t trying to floss and be tough, were you even living?  Mercia encouraged us to embrace our real selves and to tackle the trauma and the drama head on.

College Friend Reunite

Many years later, it’s no surprise that Mercia is a successful licensed therapist. She has helped countless veterans overcome the traumas of serving our country as well as teens and adults dealing with various forms of trauma sustained throughout their lives. She is one half of Illumine Counseling Services where she provides licensed counseling services and she also offers mental wellness consultations on her website, Conversations with Mercia. I could go on for days about the amazing work she has done on this front, but those stories are for another time. 

While Mercia’s work as a therapist is incredibly inspiring, what I find most amazing and inspirational about her is the work she’s done to teach myself, and all that will listen, the importance of self-care. Yes, self-care; the mystical area of care that many women of color, myself included, have felt a luxury reserved for our white counterparts. Mercia has made self-care real and attainable for me.

Warrior 1 Pose

Even before starting Do Yoga-ish, Mercia was influencing those around her to take better care of themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. As a practicing Buddhist with indigenous roots who is also a Reiki Practitioner, Crystal Healer, and Meditation & Mindfulness teacher, she is a strong advocate for the positive spiritual and mental effects a good meditation practice can have.  She is also a huge advocate for maintaining positive energy in your space as well as breaking the chains of bondage we keep to our toxic family members.  Many of us come from cultures that insist you tolerate disrespect and abuse in the name of “family,” and Mercia is simply not about that ridiculousness.

Upward Facing Bow Pose

She has personally grappled with the stigmas attached to any spiritual practice beyond Christianity in the black community. Being one that has never shied away from discourse, she has graciously educated naysayers on the benefits of her approach. You can hear this first hand on her podcast, The Curbside Counselor, as well as on a host of cameo appearances on other podcasts and shows. Mercia's very real and very honest approach to healing and self-care is one that will immediately resonate with just about every woman of color.  She stresses the fact that self-care is for YOU, whether you believe it or not.  It’s not a luxury.  It’s a necessity for dealing with the state of the world today and everyday, especially as people of color.

Upward Facing Dog Pose

Mercia invites everyone to join her yoga practice, regardless of their perceived lack of flexibility.  As a matter of fact, she regularly uses her own lack of flexibility to add humor and humility to the practice of yoga.  She stresses that yoga is for everyone and for US.  As we look to highlight black creators and entrepreneurs, I believe that it’s important to shed light on this amazing woman and the work she is doing to normalize self-care for a group that so often is just trying to be less marginalized.

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About the Creator

Maria Morales

I'm a foodie, mom of 5 beautiful & complicated young adults, lover of all things Wizarding World & Star Wars, proud Blerd, podcaster/YouTuber and huge MMA fan.

Hope you enjoy my perspective on all of the things I love!

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