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WASHINGTON, D.C., February 29, 2004: This article in the Washington Post by Jana Long reads: “I had practiced yoga for more than 10 years before getting serious. What changed? For the first time, I had a black teacher who blended African music, mantra and meditation into the practice. The classes named ancient Egypt as the place where yoga originated and were physically challenging, mentally stimulating and spiritually uplifting. Now, through Power of One Yoga Ministries, I’m one of a growing group of teachers who are defining African yoga, also known as Egyptian or soul yoga. The International Association of Black Yoga Teachers, here, lists about 200 teachers worldwide. Most of us are certified in one of the traditional styles of hatha yoga, such as Iyengar, Sivananda or Kripalu. On that foundation is added an infusion of cultural and spiritual expressions from the African Diaspora, in the forms of music, dance and ritual. ‘We often think of it [yoga] as something that is Indian or white and not something for us,’ says Nikki Plaskett, a teacher in the District. This may contribute to why black faces are few in yoga classes. But African yoga leads to an exploration of African history and culture, adding education to the many benefits.”

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