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EXHALE

because healing, freedom, and joy are your birthright

Awordfromthe Editorinchief

Welcometothefirstvolumeof

The Chicago Black Women's Yoga Instructor Guide (CBWYIG). This inauguralissueisapassionproject spearheaded by myself, and includes the support of a network of Black wellness leaders within thegreaterChicagolandarea

My vision for this project is to magnify the representation of Black women Yoga instructors who are committed to cultivating safewellnessspacesintown

Inspired by my own journey and process to find instructors who resembled me, I set out on a research mission to find more instructors.

gomukhasana [cowfaceposew/twist]

nataranjasana [dancer'spose]

AlexisDupree @littlespaceswellness

Anaturalconsequenceofthisproject hasbeentheorganicdevelopmentof an intimate and growing network of women. Iamsoimmenselythankfultoeachof you who said yes to this endeavor. I believe that working together is the only well-intended approach to community.

Lastly,aheartfeltthank you goesout to the team who supported bringing thisinitiativetolife!

WhyYoga?

Activities likeYogahavemanybenefits thatcanimproveandsupportoverall wellbeing.Commonbenefitsincludestress regulationandmanagementofsomemood disorders.Standard practicesinclude postures,breathingtechniques, meditation,andevenrest. Blackwomenandgirls,inparticular, can incorporateYogaintotheirwellnessplan tocombatailmentssuchasdepression, toxicstress,andweathering.

DEPRESSION

NYUResearchersreportthatBlack womenwithsymptomsofdepression reportsleepdisturbances,selfcriticism,andirritabilitytothemore stereotypicalsymptomslike"depressed mood"(NYU,2022).

TOXICSTRESS

Toxicstress,disproportionate representationinmentalhealth professionalroles,andthe adultificationandcriminalizationof Blackgirlswithhistoriesoftoxicstress createastarkimbalancein development andopportunitiesfor Blackwomenandgirls(Warner,2017).

WEATHERING

ResearchreportsthatBlackAmericans experienceweatheringmorethanany otherracial/ethnicgroup(Holt,2023).

Weathering--theprocessofbeingworn downduetorepeatstress--canshow up asupsetstomach,anxiety,general depression,andlackofsleep(Holt, 2023).

UNDERSTANDING yoga philosophy

JUNE14,2023

ALEXISDUPREE

Yoga in the United States has been widely spread as a wellness regimensincetheearly1900's,butitisclaimedtohaveenteredthe Westaroundthelate1800's Thereareseveralpopularstyleslike Vinyasa, Power, Restorative, Yin, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Bikram, Hatha,Pre-natalandevenKemetic!

Most of these forms are rooted in yoga philosophy which teaches the practitioner various ways to form a sound relationship between the mind, body,andthecollective Thetermyogaiscommonlymisconstruedas"justa workout," but its philosophy highlights what yogis call an "eight-limbed path" Introduced through the sutras, the eight limbs of yoga outline a very thoroughandspiritual(notnecessarilyreligious)concept

Inwelcomingelementsofyogaphilosophy,incongruencewithone'sunique wellness regimen, participation in an experience outside of your own self magnifies A consistent practice provides guidance towards compassion as a means to transform the lives of those who practice, as well as encourages themtoinfluencethelivesofothersintheircommunities

What'san 8-limbedpath?

TheYogaSutrasofPatanjaliteachesthe8-limbsofyoga.Thishistoricaltextisthe foundationofmanytraditionalpractices--despitethelineage.Theideaistofollow theseteachingstomindfullypairthemind,body,andspirit.

YAMA-restraintsorinternaldisciplines.ThefiveYamasmodelinternalconsiderationsfor actsofviolence,truth,stealing,chastity,andoverindulgenceorgreed.

NIYAMA-externalobservancessuchascleanliness,contentment,discipline,self-study, andsurrendertohigherpower.

ASANA - poses or postures held which honor the physical path towards freedom or enlightenment Thewordasanaissaidtotranslateto'seat'whichpreparesthebodyand mindformeditation

PRANAYAMA-breathingtechniques whichsupportthecalmingofthemindandbody. Breathworkresearchersstatethatpranayamaimprovesyourentirelife,andbreathrate hasthepowertomodifyautonomicfunctionandmoodstate.

PRATYAHARA-sensewithdrawalisatechniqueusedthatwelcomesthepresentmoment fromwhatwethinkitshouldbetowhatitis.Duringthisstateonemightconcentrateon the present moment so much so they're no longer distracted or attached to external sensationsorsounds.

DHARANA-focusorconcentration.Holdingfocusonanexternalobjectlikeacandleor visualizationtechniquesusingthebreath.Thisisthefinalstagebeforefull"meditation".

DHYANA-meditation.Meditationhappenswhenwebecomecompletelyabsorbedinour dharana state. Can be achieved in a quiet space practicing pratyahara, dharana, and dhyanasimultaneously.

SAMADHI-bliss.Onceourmindshavegonethroughthepurificationproceseswethen experience bliss. This state is not permanent, however, and the 8-limbs should be practicedintandemtolivealiberatedandfulfilledlife.

Looking for a Black Owned Yoga Studio?

EB&FLOW(WICKERPARK/BUCKTOWN)

HAIJIHEALINGSALON(BRONZEVILLE)

KEMETICYOGA(BRONZEVILLE)

STUDIOYOGI(SOUTHSHORE)

YOGASIX(HYDEPARK)

A L

E X I S

Alexisisa500-hrcertifiedyogateacher(CYT),andhasbeenpracticingyoga for over a decade. In 2020 she achieved her certification in Hatha yoga from a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS) and has been teaching ever since. She has worked in the movement and wellness industry since 2014 teachingotherformats.

Alexislovestheliberationthatwellnesspracticeslikeyogacanoffer. Through movement, mindfulness, and intention setting, she's able to feel more present in her own body as well as within her various communities. Alexis teaches in-person and virtual classes through local studios and independently. Her classofferingsrangefromslidingscaletopaid.

When not on the mat she is a doctoral student, artist, non-profit professional and former elementary educator. She's taught and served youth and families inKansasCityPublicSchoolsandChicagoPublicSchools,servedasasummer educatorforCDFFreedomSchools,andisanAmeriCorpsVISTAservicealum

"ThegenesisofLittleSpacesWellnessisthe beliefthateveryone,especiallyBlackWomen andfamilies,shouldhaveaccesstosustainable andsafeholisticwellnessexperiencesWith that,LittleSpacesWellnessisahealinginfluencedandhealing-focusedcommunity wellnesscollective"

1. Identify your wellness needs. This may include talking with a primary care provider or mental health professional.

2. Research wellness modalities. There are different types of movement-based practices (yoga, dance, pilates, etc.).

3. Identify your support system. Don't shy away from asking a loved one to hold space for you.

4. Try different styles of movement. YouTube is a great way to try new yoga or movement classes.

5. Set a budget for paid classes. Stick to studio classes that are within your monthly budget.

6. Plan ahead. Try planning your daily movement ahead of time like on Sundays

7. Don't give up! Even if you have to take a break from consistent movement and exercise you can always pick up where you left off.

Amy is an educator, foodie, writer and yogi with a passion for all things wellness. She’s originally from the Chicagoland area. She specializes in vinyasa flow and children’s yoga.

200-HR RYT

BRITTANY

In the fall of 2022 Brittany's relationship with symptoms of grief and hurt increased the pressures of burnout She explains, "I had the opportunity to take a yoga teacher training program with CorePower. I was thinking the timing of this opportunity and desperation forsomethingnewwithmoreyoga?Yes,please!"

Brittanyexpresseshowheryogateachertrainingwasan opportunity too good to pass up Going through the processwasahealingjourneyinitself.

Learning to teach yoga offered a deeper understanding and appreciation. "Everyone in my class, the instructors and students, were so sweet and supportive that it truly helpedmeshowupmoreauthentically."Unsureofwhat thefutureheldaftercertification, Brittanyisthankfulto recognize more black and brown representation within yoga spaces. "I know for me, I was so used to being one ofthefewblackandbrownpersonsinclassorsometimes theonlyone."

Now,itseems,there'saninfluxinaccessibilityforblack andbrownyogaclassesandBrittanylovestoseeit!

CaraJhanéisaMiamiborn,Chicagoblossomed, yoga asana instructor Her ancestors hail from the lands of Mississippi, and islas of Puerto Rico and she believes their steps guide her through thisjourneywecalllife

"I lead with gratitude to the collective, to this project, and the community for the space to breathinunity,tocommune"

Cara uses her knowledge and commitment to environmental justice as motivation for cultivating dialogue and community care in her shared wellness spaces Adopting a holistic approach to being, Cara sees the practice of communityyogaasoptingtoco-existwithnature in its purest forms She explains it as a way, "to reclaim the climate movement as an inherent afro-indigenouspracticegivinghomagetoallthe voicesthatcarryusthroughtochange"

"AsaBlackandAfro-Latine practitionermyheart’smissionisto servewithinthelensofclimatecare ascollectivehealing-centeringthe yogapracticeasareclamationand returntoenergysource"

@CARAJHANE

Using her experience with disordered eating as motivation for shifting narratives that may cause harm This includes addressing the eating disordered narratives masked as wellness which can cause harm Cara's main goal as a yoga instructor is to dismantle the systems of body hierarchy She encourages anyone interested in thislineofbodilyjusticetoreadTheBodyisNot anApologybySonyaReneeTaylor

CARA

Chare'A Smith is a Wellness Educator, researcher, author, and community servantpassionateabouthelpingambitiouspeopleandcorporateorganizations better integrate wellness into their life and career for total success! She has a successful track record of strategically partnering with organizations to help them achieve their wellness goals through her role as Senior Project Manager atYeSelfCare.

Itisherpassiontohelpothersactivatethepowerofthemind,body,spirit,and career to create holistic success. Your wellness journey is directly correlated to theattainmentofyourlifegoals.Let'stakegoodcaretogether!

Cherish Cherish

Cherish discovered profound healing and transformation through studying mindfulness,meditation,andjournaling.Outofthisprocessshedevelopeda method of self-empowering meditation. Her mission is to create spaces of light and guide others to discover their own healing journey through mindfulnessandnature.

Destini's introduction to yoga came in 2014 while participating in her high school's yoga club. "I immediately fell in love". Destini expresseslovefortheconnectednessyogaoffersthemindandbody throughmovementsandposes

"I began to use yoga and meditation to alleviate symptoms of depressionandanxiety Theideaofbecomingayogateacherwas really enticing, but I was definitely intimidated by the mostly whitefacesIsawonline IbegantodeepdivetoseekBlackyoga teachers around the Chicago area I started to follow them on social media, without knowing, one day I would really become "oneofthem"

Destini fell deeply in love with herself through her personal yoga practice Since completing her yoga teacher training in 2020 she's startedtoofferdonation-basedandslidingscaleclasses It'shergoal to make yoga a little more accessible to the Black community of Evanston

"I am surrounded by love and support"

--Destini, E-RYT 200

DESTINI

DONIELLE DONIELLE

Donielle is a 250-HR CYT, from the Greater Westside of Chicago.Inhonoringherlifeandrelationshiptomovement and the joys of being a service to my community, Donielle decided to embark on her yoga teacher journey. She believes and encourages her students to celebrate the uniqueness within their body as the truest commitment to self-loveandrespect

Ericabeganteachingyogain2017afterreceiving hercertificationthroughtheBreathforChange program

Sayyes, beforeyousayno ERICA

Throughyoga,Ericaexploresthespacetogetoutof herheadandintothebody Yogais aspaceto showup,aspacetomove,aspacetojustbe

"IdecidedtostartteachingasIrealizedthatthere wasnot(atthetime)alotofblackandbrown facesintheclassesItookandIwantedtobeable toshareallthebenefitsIhavefoundwithinyoga withthosethatlookedjustlikeme."

Sinceattainingcertification,Ericahasprioritizedher effortsin curatingclassesthatencouragestudentsto getoutoftheirheadsandintotheirbodies, welcomingthepresentmoment Ericawelcomesall levelsinherclassesandusesherloveformusicasa meanstokeepeveryonemotivated

"Myclassesvaryinchallengelevel Ialwayssay sayyes,beforeyousayno,andthemusicisalmost alwaysnotyourtraditionalyogapracticemusic "

InErica'sclassyou'llflowtoallkindsofmusic such asRap,Country,R&B,Instrumental,Jazz

"Myyogaclasseshavegrownovertheyears,and I'vebeensohappytosharethespacewithso manydifferentpeople,andsomanyofthose beautifulfaceswholookjustlikeme."

Jasmin Kyla Weaver is a community wellness advocate and guide serving the Chicagoland area and virtualspaces.Shehasbeenguidingmeditationsincommunityandorganizationalspacessince2018.She completedher200hourlevelcertificationthroughtheYogaSkillsKemeticYogaprogramin2019

In 2021, she became certified as a conscious breathwork facilitator through Siedeh Foxie's breathwork trainingprogramfortheBIPOCcommunity JasminKylaisaHipHopenthusiastandoftenfindswaysto incorporate Hip Hop culture into her offerings (ie Hip Hop meditations, Breathing Cyphers, Hip Hop & Wellness Workshops, etc.). In addition to her roles in the yoga community, Jasmin Kyla is multipassionateandwearsmanyhats.

ShecreatesandsellsholistichealthproductssuchasSeaMossgel,BodyOils,andHerbaldrinks.Sheworks clinicallyasaBoardCertifiedBehaviorAnalystandistrainedinmindfulness-basedtherapeuticmodels Whenshe'snotengagedincommunityworksheenjoysspendingtimewithfamily,traveling,studying andpracticingvariousartforms,andpamperingherself

JASMIN JASMIN

Julia believes that yoga cultivates the body and rejuvenates the spirit. She embraced yoga over 15 years ago as a way of managing her osteoarthritis Juliawassearchingforapracticethatwouldchallengeher given the new limitations being experienced by her body. For Julia, it’s not about the aesthetics of yoga but rather on the functionality of yoga throughmovementandmeditation Julia’steachingphilosophyisthatno one body is the same: no one body possesses the same range of motion, andnoonebodyiswithoutsometypeoflimitation Thisiswhysheisan unwavering advocate for customizing the asanas (poses) – to meet the bodywhereitisinthatmoment Juliaisa500-HRRYTcertifiedteacher SheisalsocertifiedinYin,RestorativeandChairYoga

Julia

Connect with Taylor via Instagram (@holdingspacewithte) to learn more about her classes.

Taylor Elane is a 200-HR certified yogi and meditation practitioner. When teaching, Taylor guides folks through breathwork, meditation, and movementwithmodifications that encourage safety in and awarenessofthebody.Inher class, you will practice a blend of gentle, restorative, and yin yoga postures to cultivate ease and rest in the body, both on and off of the mat. Taylor has been practicing yoga, meditation, and breathwork for 7 years but began a daily practice with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and violence against Black bodies in2020.

Through her calling to engage in non-performative and accessible yoga, Taylor enrolled in the first cohort of Abiola Akanni’s iyaKIN (@iyawell on Instagram) non-performative yoga teacher training and received the 200-HR certification in July2021.

"I

TAYLOR TAYLOR

honor my body as a sacred vessel for rest and ease " --Taylor, 200-HR CYT

Holt,B (2023) BlackwomeninAmericaareupagainstalot,andit’scausingtheir bodiestoweather.Insider. https://www.insider.com/weathering-discrimination-racismstressors-black-women-health-2023-2

NYU(2022) DepressionMayLookDifferentinBlackWomen NewYorkUniversity https://wwwnyuedu/about/news-publications/news/2022/december/depression-Blackwomenhtml

Warner,J. (2017).TheUnequalTollofToxicStress.CenterforAmerican Progress.https://www.americanprogress.org/article/unequal-toll-toxic-stress

Special thanks to each of the in-kind sponsors (BettyBot Bakery, CulturePop, and Theo’s BEET Jerky) who provided yummy snacks and beverages at our March 2023 photoshoot. Our tummies, tastebuds, and hearts thank you!

—Alexis & CBWYIG collective