5 Reasons Communities are Unhealthy

Frugivore Magazine recently asked, “Where are the Yoga Studios in Black Communities?” foolishly comparing life in black neighborhoods to white neighborhoods. Some people blamed the yoga cult stigma and others pointed to the exclusion felt in some yoga classes. But, I argue we are still in survival mode. Preventive health in general is  a luxury. Health is not a priority in most black communities.  Some are still in survival mode focusing on getting through the next day. If we choose to follow Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we realize that survival and safety are critical to developing the deeper elements of self realization.

Most black people in low income neighborhoods want to build a foundation before
Do black people value. I think we don’t support health in general. Generally there are fewer private clinics, health food stores, gyms etc in black communities. Why would yoga be any different? Yoga Studios are still a business that require management, overhead, employees, insurance etc. So yoga studios just follow the money. In DC, the average class in NW costs $18  and is packed with up to 20 students per class. Also some yoga classes just don’t feel inviting. We need to teach our own version of yoga that speaks to our realities, sensitivities and experiences.
I love teaching East of the Anacostia River which is 90 percent black. People love classes but are still learning about yoga. Once they realize the power of the practice, I think you will see more people teaching and supporting yoga/health/nutrition businesses.

Black people in general are slowly shifting to valuing our health. We will spend money on things that we can easily change. Health is a process and requires alot of personal sacrifices.  I believe that the holistic health bug will catch on.

If reading, please take this survey on yoga in your community!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEx5MHk4Q0N5TTRvQ1plUGpkbVQ4bEE6MQ

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