In the last few years, the lack of diversity in the wellness industry has become clear.

Whether it’s the overwhelming majority of White people represented. Or the lack of BIPOC voices. The ableism in many classes and venues. Or the premium prices targeted at the affluent.

But it’s obvious that wellness should be for everyone. The barriers that prevent people from accessing wellness products & services need to be dismantled.

And at Restful we’re committed to upholding diversity, equity and inclusion.

So we want to show the difference between our meditones and traditional guided meditations.

The problem with guided meditations

Guided meditations can be helpful for beginners looking to start a meditation practice.

They’re great for when you need some extra support with a particular issue.

Or for when you’d like to practice a more traditional form of meditation such as mindfulness.

Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks. Here are three reasons why guided meditations aren’t inclusive enough.

1. Guided meditations are often in English

Some large meditation apps such as Calm and Headspace have diversified their languages. But many smaller apps and meditation channels on YouTube are often spoken by White people or native English speakers.

This lack of diversity and inclusivity makes guided meditation a barrier. How can you access the benefits of meditation if you don’t speak the language they’re in?

Thankfully, there are some guided meditation apps that have been designed with diversity in mind.

Liberate is a meditation app for the Black community. Wellemental is a meditation app for diverse kids. And Insight Timer hosts a global community of meditation teachers & languages.

2. Meditation can make stress worse

If you found meditation really stressful, you’re not alone.

One study of 1,232 people found a quarter of them experienced particularly unpleasant meditation-related experiences. Such as anxiety, fear and distorted emotions.

More research is needed. But these findings suggest that meditation may not suit everyone.

Especially if you’re recovering from trauma, are neurodivergent or have a mental illness.

3. Meditation takes effort

Traditional meditation styles take practice. Which can be frustrating when it feels like meditation isn’t working. Especially for beginners.

Plus, meditation can be difficult when you’re neurodivergent, are in pain, tired or overwhelmed.

And when your nervous system is on high alert? It may be almost impossible to practice the focus required to go into deep meditative states.

Here’s why meditones are more inclusive than guided meditations

If you’re looking for an inclusive alternative to guided meditation, meditones are a great option.

Here are three reasons why meditones can be more inclusive than tradition forms of meditation.

1. Meditones music has no agenda

Because there is no particular journey dictated to you, you’re free to go at your own pace.

Plus, you don’t need to listen to anyone’s voice to gain benefits. This is helpful if you don’t like the voice of a particular guided instructor.

You can sit back, relax and let meditones do the deep work for you.

2. Meditones music works immediately

Because meditones help you naturally produce relaxed brainwaves, you’re able to experience deep calm. Effortlessly.

You don’t have to do a thing. Your parasympathetic nervous system switches on automatically.

This makes meditones perfect for beginners. Or for when you can’t meditate because you’re too tired, in pain, or distressed.

Meditones are also fantastic for neurodivergent people who may struggle with traditional forms of meditation.

Meditones are also a wonderfully soothing option for people healing from trauma, who may find self-regulation difficult.

3. Meditones are for beginners and experts alike

Because there are no guided vocals, meditones can deepen your personal meditation practice.

Meditones help enhance breathwork or focused forms of meditation. Like Vipassana, pranayama, mindfulness, and Transcendental Meditation.

You can meditate as you normally would, and feel the depth that meditones can bring to your practice.

Takeaway

Guided meditations aren’t alway inclusive. But we think meditones make a great alternative.

All tracks inside the Restful app contain meditones.

There are a few tracks that include guided meditations and affirmations. These tracks are spoken in English by our CEO, Tahlee, who is a White cis-gendered woman.

However, most tracks are pure meditones music. And you can filter for music only tracks on the Explore page inside our app.

Discover a growing library of meditones inside the Restful app. Download for free today on Google Play or the App Store.