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. 

RELATED: WHY BLACK PEOPLE NEED YOGA

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.

RELATED: [THE SPIRITUAL LIFE] GETTING ZEN WITH RUSSELL SIMMONS

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