little known local black history facts

By: Dr. Amir Toure'

Although yoga has become increasingly popular and mainstream in recent years, it has historically been associated with certain cultural and ethnic groups, particularly in India.

As a result, there has been a lack of representation and inclusion of people of color, particularly Black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), in the yoga community.

BIPOC individuals have reported feeling excluded and marginalized in yoga spaces, with some reporting experiences of racism and cultural appropriation. Additionally, yoga can be inaccessible for many due to financial barriers, lack of representation in mainstream media, and cultural differences that can make yoga practices feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable.

In 2018, I hit a wall. I had reached the top of the corporate ladder with a company I had dreamed of working with for years, only to face the dreaded glass ceiling.

I would cry in my car before going into the office because I literally couldn't take it anymore. Despite being asked to work my "Black Girl Magic," my wand was broken. I was overworked, underpaid, and not given the resources I needed to do my job.

Due to the professional title I held, I was isolated from other co-workers, and as a result, I was unhappy. Rather than providing me with the resources I had requested to do my job, I was isolated and seen as the "ABC," or in other words, the "angry Black chick." I ultimately decided that I couldn't continue in this way, so I took a severance and embarked on a spiritual journey that involved returning to what had worked for me in the past: therapy, yoga, and meditation.

Yoga has been practiced in the African American community since 1926, with famous yogis like Rosa Parks and Eartha Kitt. Unfortunately, when I went to find a Black yoga studio, there were none available. So I decided to become the change I wanted to see.

I created my own yoga studio called The Indigo House. Then the pandemic hit: we were left without a building and clients. Fortunately, we now have a space, but we're crowd funding for a larger space in Savannah, GA.

"As much as I loved yoga and had been an active yogi for years, my experience hasn't always been the best. I have been in studios where I've been the only Black person in the class and I would get the dreaded stares and I would feel like people thought I didn't belong there," Tyra James, 38, said. "Some of the studios were super nice but they made me feel like I wasn't 'trying hard enough' or needed correction when my body just doesn't look like yours in a certain position. I have curves, hips, and boobs.. and they get in the way."

In addition to a lack of representation, yoga can also be inaccessible for many due to financial barriers, lack of representation in mainstream media, and cultural differences that can make yoga practices feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. These barriers can prevent many people from accessing the physical and mental benefits of yoga, further contributing to the lack of diversity in the yoga community.

I started to listen to music that felt good to me and my practice: offering trap yoga classes, twerk yoga classes, as well as adding hip-hop and R&B to my yoga flows. My practice is about bringing your authentic self to the mat, to take up space as you are unapologetically.

"Being a personal trainer and lifting heavy 5 days out of the week. I really wanted to incorporate a practice that helps me connect my mind and body. Yoga was my choice because it would not only help with the connection but it was perfect for my active rest days.",

LeKyra Brown, of KidFit, LLC said.

To address these issues, it is important for the yoga community to actively work towards creating more inclusive spaces and actively invite and welcome people from diverse backgrounds. This includes recognizing and acknowledging the roots of yoga in South Asian culture, amplifying the voices of BIPOC yoga teachers and practitioners, and offering affordable or donation-based classes. It also involves actively confronting and addressing instances of racism and cultural appropriation in yoga spaces.

Creating a more diverse and inclusive yoga community requires ongoing effort and commitment from all those involved in the practice. Yoga studios and teachers can take steps to create more welcoming and inclusive spaces by offering classes that cater to a diverse range of bodies and abilities, hiring diverse staff, and partnering with organizations that work to increase diversity in yoga.

Creating a more diverse and inclusive yoga community requires ongoing effort and commitment from all those involved in the practice. Yoga studios and teachers can take steps to create more welcoming and inclusive spaces by offering classes that cater to a diverse range of bodies and abilities, hiring diverse staff, and partnering with organizations that work to increase diversity in yoga.

At the same time, it is important for those who practice yoga to recognize and acknowledge the diversity problem within the community, and actively work to create a more inclusive space. This means listening to the experiences of BIPOC individuals in yoga spaces, educating oneself on the cultural roots of yoga, and being mindful of the potential or cultural appropriation in one’s own practice.

In conclusion, yoga still has a diversity problem, and it is up to the entire yoga community to work towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming space for all. By recognizing and addressing the barriers that prevent many BIPOC individuals from accessing yoga, as well as actively working to confront instances of racism and cultural appropriation, we can create a more diverse and equitable yoga community that benefits everyone.