The direct translation for yoga is union. The practice is meant to harmonize the body, mind and spirit with a focus on breath and mindfulness. When you are in full control of the mind you are doing yoga. We put ourselves difficult postures or flows to challenge the physical body to bring us back to a point of awareness of breath, the body and mind. This practice which has now been westernized and whitewashed is very different from it’s origin which came about 5000 years ago in India, although research has shown that yoga postures date as far back as ancient Egypt. If you walk into most yoga studios or even check out a YouTube video online you’ll notice the practice of yoga is typically more workout focused than a spiritual and will usually find a lack of diversity not only within the students but the instructors as well which are typically a white women. This lack of diversity inspired me to begin my certification process and work to bring the practice of yoga not just to affluent neighborhoods but to the communities that can really benefit from the practice. I took my certification to Goa, India to root my practice in it’s origins and to support and learn from people of color who traditionally grew up with the practice and it’s spiritual meaning.
