People of Color Do Yoga, You Just Didn’t Know About It...Until Now

[New York, NY - January 14, 2019] -- Jesal Parikh and Sophie Griffiths, two yoga teachers on different sides of the Atlantic, have released a list of 20 Yoga Teachers of Color to Watch in 2020; a list aimed at creating greater diversity in the representation of yoga teachers as well as at raising awareness of the contributions that people of color (POC) have made, and continue to make, to the yoga industry. In 2019, several yoga magazines (i.e. Yoga Journal and Shut Up & Yoga) as well as many popular yoga bloggers and Instagram influencers, landed themselves in controversy by underestimating and underrepresenting yoga teachers of color. “So many influential yoga platforms were coming out with lists of ‘experts’ or ‘influential teachers’ and most of them were woefully lacking in diversity,” says Ms. Parikh, who is also the Co-Founder of Yoga is Dead Podcast. “So we decided to come up with a way to showcase the contributions and expertise of people of color in yoga.” The list, which is in its second year, spans gender identity, ethnicity/race, sexual orientation, geographic location, body shapes/sizes, and types of work and activism showcased.

These people are movers and shakers from across the world who are serving their local communities, often without the recognition that they deserve. “It’s outrageous that yoga media is missing their voices, as they are experts in their fields and real change makers on and off the mat.” says Ms. Griffiths. “Personally, I’m bored of just seeing yogis portrayed as able-bodied, thin, young white girls. As a white woman myself, I wanted to understand how I could challenge this stereotype and improve representation in the media. Ultimately, I want to understand how I can be a better ally, challenge white privilege and improve access to yoga for everybody.”

The work began after the pair commented on a well-known yoga publication’s lack of diversity in a ‘Yoga Teachers to Watch in 2019’ list. The publication challenged Sophie to “stop complaining and criticizing and do something about it”. In response, she asked Jesal to join forces with her and together they put out a public call for nominations of yoga teachers of color. The response was staggering and it soon became a real celebration of the industries unsung (s)heroes. In the project’s second year, they received over 1,500 comments with nominations, and support for the list continues to grow.

This year the work has been supported by Reprise Activewear, a line of plant-based activewear designed to create a softer, healthier and more comfortable way for you to care for your skin. Founder Mary Bemis, says “I’m so proud to support this important work and continue building this online community of inspirational leaders and teachers of color.”

For further information, please contact Jesal or Sophie on the details included above.