Culturally Competent Care: Ayurveda & LGBTQIA+ Healing

In this episode of The Yoga Therapy Hour Podcast, Amy Wheeler welcomes Anuradha Gupta, an Ayurvedic doctor and educator from Kerala Ayurveda, to discuss best practices for culturally competent care in healthcare, particularly with respect to LGBTQIA+ issues. Anuradha shares her background in Ayurveda and how she has worked to integrate cultural competence into the Ayurvedic healthcare system. She reflects on the challenges of providing care to marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, and the importance of creating safe and affirming spaces for healing.

Key points include:

• Cultural Competency vs. Cultural Humility: Anuradha explains the distinction between cultural competence, which involves learning about different communities, and cultural humility, which emphasizes curiosity and respect for individual experiences.
• Challenges in LGBTQIA+ Healthcare: She highlights the systemic issues, such as discrimination and lack of access, that disproportionately affect the LGBTQIA+ community. Anuradha also discusses the health implications of minority stress and trauma.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Both Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda are ideally suited to offer personalized, trauma-informed care that supports the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ clients.
• Historical Context: Anuradha discusses the history of LGBTQIA+ acceptance in India, dating back to Vedic times, and how colonization introduced homophobia and discrimination.
• Best Practices in Care: Drawing from her research, Anuradha outlines best practices for healthcare professionals working with LGBTQIA+ clients, emphasizing the need for open affirmations, trauma-informed approaches, and integrating alternative care with allopathic practices.

Resources shared:

• GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality, a resource for culturally competent healthcare practices.
• PFLAG: A support organization for families and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own biases and to create spaces of healing that are inclusive, respectful, and affirming for all identities. You can connect with Anuradha Gupta via LinkedIn or explore her work at Ayurvedic Footprints.

LinkedIn: Anuradha Gupta

Ayurvedic Footprints: Anuradha's private practice focused on sustainability and gentle healing.

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that culturally competent care is not only about knowledge but also about empathy, curiosity, and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities.

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