Maybe when you hear the word wellness, you might think of kombucha, Lululemon yoga outfits, and exclusive and expensive retreats. But whatever it is you think of, it might be an influence of the stereotypes society has created for wellness; it might be how wellness has been overly commercialized or diluted as a trend on social media. Think ‘that girl’ aesthetic. Think ‘green juice only mornings’. Think ‘mental health Pinterest quotes’.
What is wellness, really?
According to the Global Wellness Institute, “Wellness is a modern word with ancient roots” and “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” Its roots are in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda in 3000-2000 B.C. where homeopathy, organic farming, Gross National Happiness index stemmed from - until the movement boomed in the 1980-2000s when celebrities made it mainstream. Now, the industry is valued at $4.5 trillion with a huge chunk focused on beauty and weightloss.
Having started Soph Wellness as a online community platform and then later on the physical manifestation as Paus; Café+Community, it is important to pinpoint challenges and cut out the perfect image of this industry.
We can’t improve if we aren’t honest about things.
The wellness industry can seem:
Expensive.
But it’s not all about fresh organic produce. Frozen fruits & veggies offer the same nutritional value. There’s always an option that should suit your lifestyle. It is also important to note that it is also a matter of perspective. It might all look like a luxury if you see it as a commodity, but wellness services and treatments are all about long-term holistic benefits to your well-being. It isn’t an instant cure. Wellness shouldn’t be seen as a luxury. It feels luxurious yes, but you are your best investment.
Inaccessible.
Everyone should feel welcome. Whether you’re able-bodied or a person of determination, you have the right to pursue wellness. At Paus; our different pillars are open for everyone, regardless of where you are in your wellness journey. Because wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all, as a wellness cafe our goal is to create different venues where one can try to jumpstart their wellness journey. From talks to workshops, movement classes, treatments, and community events like weekend markets and open mics, there will always be something for everyone.
Not diverse enough.
The Indian halid wala dhoodh is as good as a Western kale smoothie. We should all pay attention to our own identity’s strengths while making an effort to learn about other cultures too. It widens your perspective, which is healthy. Here at Paus; We're all about breaking the stereotypes of wellness and bringing back traditional methods in fresh, modern ways. Whenever we brainstorm ideas for our wellness offerings, we don’t forget our South Indian roots.
Diet-culture based & can be fatphobic.
You can be fit and healthy at any size. You can still enjoy your salad with Rajma Chawal. We are all about food positivity and body positivity! We always believe that more options mean more healthier opportunities. As a wellness café, we made sure our food covers the hearty AND healthy aspects. Health isn’t just about a salad, we also believe that digging into a good vanilla olive oil cake is a good way to approach wellness in a balanced way. Our Matcha Mornings also cover topics about body image and learning to embrace yourself.
Paus; is not just about starting a slowdown movement in a hurry-up society.
We also aim to continuously help you find the wellness that fits you well.
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