New documentary explores the role of capitalism, colonialism in the wellness industry

Absolutely Canadian is a national one-hour series showcasing documentaries and performance programs that tell unique stories from communities across Canada. All programs are produced locally.

When she shows up toa yoga class, Summan Kandolawonders whether she really belongs.

"Most of the time if I'm there, I'm just thinking am I skinny enough to be here? Am I blonde enough?" said the Vancouver-based filmmaker.

That feeling of discomfort and disenchantment when it comes towellness practices inspired Kandola to look at how capitalism and colonialism have crept into wellness practicesinIdentity of Wellness, anew documentary for Absolutely Canadian on CBC Gem.

She spoke with athletes, fitness instructors and coaches about the meaning of wellness, and the barriers people of colourface in wellness spaces and practicesin North America, such as yoga and meditation, which tend to be dominated by white people.

Marketing wellness

Kandola had been practising yoga for more than a decade before she learned about itsspiritual and emotional elements.

It was through a friend, who was working to become a yogainstructor, that Kandola learned how yoga isfor more than just physical health.

"Why have I gone to yoga for like 13, 15 years and I never knew this philosophy of yoga?" she told North by Northwest host Sheryl MacKay.

Malina Dawn,a Vancouver-based yoga instructor, says capitalism tends to find a way to sell something. When it comes to wellness, the easiest part to sell, she says, is physical fitness not itsspiritual or emotional aspects.

Kandola says marketing is wherewellness spaces become uncomfortable. It highlights body image and race, she adds, and focusing on thoseimpacts the quality of the wellness you receive.

"You're just thinking about how do I look? You're looking at everybody else and like, am I good enough to be here?" Kandolasaid.

Watch Identity of Wellness:

White wellness

Yogainstructor Jessica Grewalsaysyoga is commonlyseen as a method for weight loss but historically, it means so much more.

Its originscan be traced back thousands of years to northern India, as a mental, spiritual and physical practice. Its history hasbeendifficult to nail down as the hot, humid climate inIndia has led to the deterioration of ancient texts. Grewal says those aspects werenever explained in theyoga classes she attended, either.

"White wellness is wellness created by white people for white people in a westernized context with only white people in mind," she says in the film, which Kandola produced, directed and hosted.

Fellow yoga instructor Irene Lo of Vancouver saysthere is a power imbalance in wellness spacesand practices.

"There really can be no healing when this is a white space dominated by white people and colonial thinking," she said.

'Not looking for everyone to agree with me'

In creating the film and speaking with people about their experiences, Kandola saysshe gained the confidence to have tough conversations about wellness, race and belonging, and a better understanding of thekind of wellness she needs on a dailybasis.

"I feel like having that self-awareness and actually honouring that self-awareness allows you to live a much more fruitful version of yourself," she said, adding thatshe's excited about the further dialogue that will happen as a result of the film.

"I'm not looking for everyone to agree with me," Kandola said.

"I'm looking for everyone to just think about what do these things mean to them.How does this impact them? How does this show up in your life? I think that's where the best conversations come from, where you can have that healthy conversation and debate of the mixing of ideas."