Halle, Beyoncé and Oprah do it. Lebron and even Shaq practice yoga too. Russell Simmons reportedly practices 90 minutes each and every day. Despite the image of yoga in the West as a practice that caters to elitist, young, petite upwardly-mobile whites.there is growing African American community that is embracing yoga and all of its benefits.
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Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that promotes physical and mental wellness and healing for all who practice it. Yoga can help you reduce stress and chronic diseases like heart disease, insomnia and high blood pressure, and increase flexibility, strength and range of motion. Considering the chronic diseases that are rampant in the Black community, the increase in African Americans enrolling in yoga training programs and becoming certified to teach yoga are promising.
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Here’s a snapshot of Black-owned yoga studios and popular Black yogis in selected cites.
Rhode Island
Santosha School of Yoga , owned by Maya Breuer
New York
Urban Asanas, owned by Jyll Hubbard-salk
Asali Yoga, owned by Erica Robinson
So Hum Studios owned by Ola Ronke
Budda Body Yoga, owned by Michael Ahyes,
Harlem Yoga, popular Black instructors Crystal McCreary, Keisha Bolden & Nyoto Nayo
Harlem Bikram, Popular Black instructor: Dionna Monsanto
Bikram Yoga Park Slope Black Teacher: Robin Farell
Sacred Brooklyn Popular Black Teachers: Stephanie Battle, Chi Chi Egbuma, Aimee Cox
DMV Area – DC, Maryland Virgina
Embraced – DC, Adams Morgan, owned by Faith Hunter
Anacostia Yogi – DC, Anacostia, owned by Sariana Leigh
Jordin’s Paradise – DC. Shaw/ Convention Center, owned by Raina Jaziri
Spiritual Essence Yoga – Maryland – Upper Marlboro, owned by Dana Smith
PIES Fitness Yoga – Alexandria, VA, owned by Marsha Banks
North Carolina
Evolution Yoga owned by Stacy Winslow
Atlanta
Om Point Yoga, owned by Vanya Francis & Shavonna Warthen
I Love My Temple Yoga & Wellness, owned by Tiffany Campbell
AYM: Aerobics, Yoga & More, owned by Althea Lawton-Thompson
Yoga Hive Healing Arts Studio, owned by Mechelle Davis
Active Sol Black Teachers, Anika Francis, Rosalyn Nix
Be Yoga Black Yoga Teachers, owned byOctavia Raheem, Rachelle Knowles & Jesse Fletcher
Philadelphia
Ase Yoga, owned by Dr. Robin Alston
Studio 34 Yoga Healing and Arts, Black instructors Fatima Adamu, Nicole Taylor-Linehan & Sonia Williams
Philly Power Yoga, Black instructor Troy Jackson
Sweat Fitness ,Black instructor Hadji Jones
Chicago
Eb and Flow Yoga Black Owned – Eboni Howard and Peggy Howard Moore owners
Om On The Range Black Yoga Teacher: Whitney Webster
Yoga View Black Yoga Teacher: Adeoye
Northern California
Anasa Yoga Black Owned: Katrina Lashea & Jean Marie co-owners.
Yoga Love Black Owned: Treina Alexander
Bikram Yoga Castro Black Owned: Lamont Atkins
Reunion Yoga Black Owned: Keith Bordon
Southern California
Lotus On The Nile, owned by Kali Alexander
Yoga with Rocky, owned by Rocky Heron
Bianca Yoga Floetry, owned by Bianca Fearson-McCellan, owner
Crenshaw Yoga and Dance, Black instructors Sherida, Pam Terry, Deep Red & Adrienne
Yoga At The Raven, Black instructor, Leigh Brown Ubina
International
Grenada
Spice Harmony Yoga, owned by Dr. Kecia Brooks-Smith
Jamaica
Afya Yoga, Black instructor: Vitra Gopee
Caribbean Yoga Conference, Next conference in 2015