In recent years, the ancient practice of yoga has gained popularity in the United States. Approximately 36 million Americans practiced it in 2020, creating a demand for inclusive and accessible yoga classes that serve diverse communities. Despite yoga’s association with affluent white communities in the past, an increasing number of diverse communities have embraced the practice and are now reaping its many benefits.
Breaking stereotypes through yoga
Online Yoga School, founded by Steph Ball-Mitchell, is an online platform that has helped diverse communities access yoga in recent years. The platform offers a wide range of classes to meet the needs of yogis at all levels, from beginners to advanced students and from gentle practices to dynamic flows. The primary motivation behind creating the platform was to promote inclusion in the yoga community and provide a comfortable space for individuals from all backgrounds to practice yoga.
One of the unique features of Online Yoga School is its accessibility. With the platform, anyone with an internet connection can practice yoga from their homes. This has made it possible for individuals who may not have had access to yoga classes before, such as those who live in rural areas or have physical disabilities, to practice yoga and reap its benefits.
In addition to making yoga more accessible to diverse communities, Online Yoga School is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all yogis. The platform emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the yoga community and strives to create an environment that fosters a sense of community and belonging.
Making yoga more affordable
Yoga teachers and schools are taking steps to create equitable environments that are welcoming to people with diverse experiences, enabling more varied communities to embrace yoga. With its restorative and healing benefits, it is vital to ensure that yoga is accessible to all, not just those in positions of privilege.
However, the high cost of yoga teacher training programs has created a significant accessibility issue for marginalized communities, preventing them from gaining access to yoga classes. This has contributed to the lack of diversity in the yoga community, with many underrepresented populations needing to experience the benefits of teacher training.
To address this issue, Online Yoga School has made yoga teacher training programs available at affordable prices, ensuring that anyone who wants to become a yoga instructor can do so. “One of my goals is to continue making yoga teacher training accessible and affordable to marginalized groups who otherwise wouldn’t be able to take yoga teacher training,” she said.
While a typical teacher training program can cost thousands of dollars, Online Yoga School offers a program for less than $400. This effort aims to bridge the gap in the yoga community and bring representation to under-represented populations.
Making yoga accessible to everyone
The practice of yoga is no longer limited to affluent, white communities in the United States. With a concerted effort to create an equitable and welcoming atmosphere, more and more yoga teachers and schools are working to dismantle the barriers that once prevented people of color, low-income individuals, and others from experiencing the benefits of yoga.
Furthermore, the rise of online platforms such as Online Yoga School has made the practice of yoga more accessible than ever before, allowing people from all backgrounds to participate regardless of their location or schedule. As a result of these efforts, yoga is now available to anyone who wishes to experience its many benefits, from physical health and flexibility to mental clarity and emotional balance.