More and more, Black people are engaging in yoga as a way to connect with themselves, and 2023 is no exception. As far as Black woman yoga practitioners go, there is no lack on that front. In fact, we’re seeing a rise in Black women taking up space in the industry. Not only does this provide hope for what the future holds for yoga circles but it’s also dope to see Black yoga practitioners getting the hype they absolutely deserve.
The exclusionary nature of the yoga world is finally changing
Let’s be honest, at least 8-10 years ago it would’ve been very difficult to sift through the plentiful yoga accounts on YouTube and come across a selection of Black yogis. We’re super grateful for the variety of faces that we now can meet with on the mat. As far as inclusivity goes though, there is more work to be done. The representation of a ‘yogi’ in online spaces is still largely white, but not without some challenging. From online communities and Black yoga picnics in the park, to highly visible YouTube channels, the Black yogi lifestyle is truly flourishing.
That is to say, we’re in an exciting moment and these seven Black yogis have a huge amount to do with the changing face of yoga. Read on to find out some of our favorite Black woman yoga practitioners changing the game for good.
These are the Black woman yoga practitioners to shout about
Mel Douglas
First on the list is Mel Douglas, a yoga instructor and founder of Black Women’s Yoga Collective. Holding space for the collective is part of what makes Mel Douglas so vital in the Black yoga world. Her generous offerings stretch from yoga practices to honest insights into her life and learnings. You can find yoga flows and explore more of The Black Women’s Yoga Collective here.
Ro Nwosu
Ro Nwosu, or WildRoga, is a yoga and movement teacher based in the Ottawa area. Full of gentle reminders and authentic expression through movement, her page has become a go-to place for yoga lovers. There are loads of examples of how to weave yoga and movement into your daily practice. The best part is the genuine joy that is felt from Ro’s personal relationship with yoga.
Arianna Elizabeth
Arianna Elizabeth might just be one of the most known and shared Black woman yoga teachers of our time. Black yogis of all levels trust Arianna with their bodies. Looking at her track record, it’s for good reason. With a huge portfolio of videos on YouTube and a solid community of offline yoga students, the love is real. Her faith-based yoga always has an element of meditation to it. She also categorizes her videos based on skill level, type and available time for practice.
Black Yogi Nico Marie
Black Yogi Nico Marie understands how to make an immaculate morning out of a Vinyasa flow. Her videos are hard to resist and always easy to follow. Known to be a champion of cultivating space for Blackness in yoga, her channel remains one of the most important in the Black yoga world. Her focus on the chakras and yoga flows that correspond are hugely popular to this day.
Tie Simpson
The combination of mindfulness, yoga, travel, and spiritual living is enough to keep us invested in every yoga pose that Tie Simpson does. Her Instagram page encourages Black women to see how mastery is just as important as enjoyment. Someone also needs to talk about how beautiful and appealing she makes yoga look because YES. She is also the founder and CEO of Sisters of Yoga, guiding Black women to indulge in the life-changing effects of yoga.
Mindfully Kiki
Mindfully Kiki, previously This Curvi Yogi, is all about the deep belly breaths and the mindful movement, on and off the mat. This is a space on the internet where yoga is intricately intertwined with reflection. The regular check-ins define the channel and set aside Kiki’s page as one committed to slower, fuller living. Kiki embodies why we choose yoga; a pull to use all available tools to embrace life in all seasons.
Faith Hunter
Whether you need to calm your nervous system, stretch your body or just extend the exhale, Faith Hunter creates the perfect environment to play. As a Black woman yoga instructor, her style is heavy on self-love and we’re so grateful for it. Expect loving meditations, full/new moon yoga practices, and certainly expect gentle awakenings. Beyond the wholesome YouTube videos, there is also a podcast for you to dive into.
Related: Afro Flow Yoga Fuses Yoga and African Dance To Connect Us To Our Ancestors