The Yoga in Black Podcast

Kelly Barnes rendered me speechless a few times during this episode. She’s a yoga instructor and occupational therapist currently undergoing pelvic floor training and doing amazing things. In this episode, Kelly shares her journey of discovering yoga and incorporating it into her profession. She discusses her experience with prenatal and mommy and me yoga, as well as teaching yoga to children. Kelly emphasizes the benefits of yog...

TaKeema is an analyst for the state of New Jersey and a certified yoga instructor. In this episode, the energy was high! She shares her journey of discovering yoga and how it transformed her physically and mentally. TaKeema spoke on how she overcame insecurities and found her way to becoming a yoga instructor to encourage inclusivity in the yoga space. We got the chance to celebrate the completion of a memoir she wrote about her he...

I’m so excited for y’all to meet Janee Douglas, a yoga coach and flight attendant based in Atlanta. During this episode, she shares her journey and experiences in the yoga world. She discusses the evolution of her practice and how yoga has helped her become more bold and step outside of her comfort zone. Janee also talks about the challenges and rewards of teaching yoga, as well as the diverse yoga community in Atlanta. She shares ...

How do you write show notes for an episode that covered SO MANY bases? Krysta Norris-Landry, located in Houston, TX,  shared so many amazing tips, stories, and more on this episode of the podcast. We talked about the benefits of taking a break to pursue what is for you while returning back to your goals when you’re ready, knowing how to prioritize opportunities vs your existing commitments, and more. There were some great insights ...

Two fairies have united to provide you with a magical episode. We’re chopping it up with Bianqa Bizune.  Bianqa shares her journey of creating unique yoga events that combine her various interests, such as cosplay yoga, garden parties and more. We discuss the empowerment that comes from expressing individuality. Bianqa also talks about her transition away from traditional studio culture and the importance of creating safe spaces ...

In this premiere episode, we get to know Yasuke Gaddy, a yoga teacher and track and field coach in the DMV area. We discuss his personal experiences with yoga and how it has helped him mentally and physically. Yasuke shares how he decided to become a yoga teacher and the benefits of combining yoga with track and field. We also talk about the rise of yoga teachers during the pandemic and the importance of mindfulness in sports. Yasu...

We made it to the UK, fam!  For our season finale, you’re in for a treat!  Especially for all the yoga teachers out there.  Our guest, Emma Kelly of @healing_space_bipoc, dropped so much amazing insight on the business of yoga, the importance of mentorship and a lil dive into spiritual practices.  She’s got over a decade of experience with teaching yoga and the free game she shared is GOLDEN! I can tell her mentorship program is st...

New York was showing out this season!  Our second Big Apple guest for season 4, Tiffany Ortiz, graces us with her inspiring story and highlighted so many important things about life and life with yoga.  It’s always abundantly clear that so many of us are called to teach.  There’s this feeling that some of us have had, Tiff included, where something physically in us shifts.  During that time we realize that the practice of yoga ...

From the moment Ro Nwosu sent me the pics to use for her episode cover page, I just new we were going to have an electrifying conversation.  We talked about it all! The transformative experiences within yoga, to representation in studios and YTT’s, to YTT’s in general, and more.  Sprinkle in all that spice of 2 neurodivergent baddies mixing in random sh*t as we go.  I hope you have as much fun listening to this as we did recording ...

So excited for y’all to tune in for Ashtyn’s story because they’re very likely one of the first guests to help shine light on Bhakti yoga and the power of mantra in a way that can be understood and connected to.  Along with their inspiring story of phoenix-level regeneration, it becomes so apparent why yoga has helped so many of us through those times that we need to rise from the ashes.

Get this introduction to the magic of Asht...

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a medical or mental health professional recommend that you incorporate yoga into your life? 🙋🏿‍♀️ You’re in good company.  Even better company when you get to share space with another multi-hyphenate yoga teaching badass that is also a licensed therapist!  Krystal Williams-Payne brings you the best of each! It was such a treat to pick her brain about her path into the mental health field and how...

There’s an unofficial theme starting to show for this season and that’s embodying the practice for yourself.  Learning more about yoga for self-knowledge and experience, arming you with greater tools to be able to share the wisdom with those you get to teach.

That theme was no different while talking with Taja oSo Fierce! We had some really great discussions about approaching the teaching path by first seeking to understand the p...

How lucky am I to have this opportunity to connect with my peers?! It’s seriously one of my favorite things about my life right now. 

This episode, I get to share this joy with Shanyce Matthews! She’s bringing her flair to the yoga world and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.  Shanyce hit the ground running and not only does she share yoga, she’s a licensed therapist and has published a journal that helps you w...

I love hearing all of these amazing stories from my peers. I was very inspired by Maiya Harrell’s path in yoga.  Hearing her beginnings of deep self-study, to staying curious and striving to the point of now teaching in her own studio space. While in both nursing school AND yoga teacher training! Y’all….check out this episode and get fed. She’s truly out here embodying the principles of yoga and living proof of the good it brings.

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We’re baaaaaaaack and feeling refreshed like just after a great morning yoga flow! Ready to keep this train moving providing y’all with some more amazing stories from more amazing people! Kicking us off is Recy Swan of Houston, TX and Orgasmic Living. This conversation with Recy was so fulfilling. She gave us all so many reminders of how important a mindset shift can be in our paths to contentment and joy! Listen for yourself, ...

It only seemed right to end this season with a guest who shares a desire to build community through yoga.  Our season finale guest, Victoria Mahe, is the driving force behind the Mind Your Mat Collective in the Dallas, TX area.  MYM is a multitude of things.  It is a space where new yoga teachers fresh out of their YTT can come to gain more teaching experience while providing donation-based classes to the community.  To have witnes...

Yoga has this way of bringing people together in ways you’d never imagine.  I think I found my long lost twin in today’s guest, Melanie Leaks.  All because of yoga.  Melanie is a somatic yoga teacher hailing from the Midwest (one of our similarities!) and now in Dallas spreading her teaching wings with a growing YouTube channel!  Her approach to yoga is one of making sure the practice is accessible to all and providing healing and ...

If it weren’t for the amount of time I DON’T already have to edit, this whole season would have had 2hr episodes because all of these conversations were FIRE!! This episode with Charles Muhammad was no different.  Finding out that Charles has been a fan of the show, and is now a guest truly warmed my heart. From the moment Charles mentioned he’s a rebel, I just knew this episode was about to be heat.  So many great topics were brou...