My life work is to teach and to educate. My mission for Yoga, Body and Soul is to teach and educate People of Color, especially African Americans, on the benefits of Yoga and to Diversity Yoga Studio Floors.
Eight years ago, I met Eva Mapp Morgan of Liberia, Africa, who became my Yoga Teacher and friend. We often spoke on how to educate our community on the health benefits of Yoga and also how to demystify yoga so that African Americans didn't see yoga as a religion in itself but as a complimentary practice to their religion. I became a Yoga Teacher in order to continue her work in teaching Yoga to the African American community in Durham. I have taught at the Downtown YMCA, Center for Senior Living, Treyburn Country Club, and for two years at a summer camp for 3-5 graders that was free to low income families. I have also taught at the Hillsborough Senior Center and at Patanjali's Place.
After conversations with Bryan Carey (former teacher, friend and owner of Patanjali's Place) on why there were few or no black folks in the studio, it became clear that we had find a way to diversify the Yoga Studio floor. In 2011, the first Yoga, Body and Soul fundraiser event emerged from those conversations. There were other African American Yoga Teachers who contributed and I was so proud and excited that we could show ourselves to the community for we knew that if others could see themselves in us (self identification), we could grow something quite beautiful. The fundraiser was the first time I had ever seen a room mostly filled with black Yogis. It was very powerful and touching: My dream had manifested! What greater deed is there than to be of service (Karma Yoga is the yoga of service). The teachers and I donated the funds raised to Healing with CAARE Inc., a Human Services Organization that focuses primarily on the needs of African Americans. It is run by Dr. Sharon Elliot Bynum, Executive Director, who expressed great gratitude and appreciation for the donation.
I am so excited about the 2015 Yoga, Body and Soul fundraiser event which connects me with the same amazing group of Yoga Teachers plus new African American Yoga Teachers; we just keep showing up to do the work. We are also teaming with Kundalini Yoga Teacher, Trainer and Regional Coordinator for Y.O.G.A. for Youth, Keval Kaur Khalsa who is my current yoga teacher. Y.O.G.A. for Youth NC will be the recipient of our donation this year and I cannot think of a greater organization to be honored for their work with urban youth in Durham, Wake and Orange Counties. Please look them up at www.yogaforyouth.org for more information.
My life work is to teach and to educate. Please join me and others at this year’s fundraising event. We look forward to seeing you there.
