I spent quite some time meditating and praying on finding the “right words” to explain why diversity and unite should be important for yoga folk to remember and embody. As an African American yoga instructor I immediately wanted to list all the obvious barriers that are found in yoga studios that promote a lack of diversity and unity. I also wanted to list the countless personal experiences that have left me feeling like “I don’t belong” in these spaces. But why? As Yogis we all know how we are falling short, not only with embodying diversity and unity, but also the space we create for practice.
What I will address is this false “idea” that mainstream media is responsible for projecting a Hollywood-style reality onto yoga, thus creating the barriers. While their imagery may be targeted that way I do not believe mainstream media is responsible. Yogis are, period. Do you agree? As you continue to read through this ask yourself these questions:
- Do people in your studio/classes reflect the diversity you see in everyday life?
- Are you teaching alongside diverse instructors? Are any of the instructors people of color? Have round bodies? Transgender? Handicap?
- Do you offer classes that are affordable to a wider community (working class & low income)? Do you offer any donation classes?
- Do you take your practice to communities that do not offer yoga classes?
- Does your YTT or did your YTT offer culturally responsive ways to teaching yoga?
The above questions are pivotal to seeing diversity and unity in yoga. However, in response to my quest of finding the “right words” I was lead to the Eight Limbs/steps to yoga. Did you forget that Yoga is not only about the Asanas?
Reading through the eight limbs I am reminded the only true way to remember the importance of diversity and unity is to embody all eight limbs. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra describes the first two limbs Yama and Niyama as a fundamental blueprint on how we should deal with our attitude towards people and ourselves. As a reminder the eight limbs are:
- Yama: Universal ethics
- Niyama: Individual observances
- Asanas: Body postures
- Pranayama: Breathing exercises, and control of prana
- Pratyahara: Control of the senses
- Dharana: Awareness and cultivating inner perceptual understanding
- Dhyana: Dedication, Meditation on the Divine
- Samadhi: Union with the Divine
Yoga studios should not feel exclusive. No barriers. When we are truly practicing Yoga we embody a space that is inclusive to all. Regardless of what mainstream media projects, we become responsible to how inclusive everyone feels practicing in the space we create. Without embodying the eight limbs…you are just offering a stretch class.