The Black Men Yoga Project
Providing free or discounted yoga therapy, wellness services, and a safe space to heal for black men in the community.
In this 1950's photo, men included in a syphilis study pose for a photo in Tuskegee, Alabama. For 40 years starting in 1932, medical workers in the South withheld treatment for unsuspecting black men infected with the disease so doctors could track the ravages of the illness and dissect their bodies afterward. It was finally exposed in 1972
Why this project is important…
Society has historically deprived black men of adequate health services, while simultaneously exploiting the health of black men for the health and benefit of others. This experience is compounded with the generational trauma and stress that is rarely if ever rehabilitated.
A survey of over 30,000 people found that racial minorities generally experience more stress. The Sociology Inquiry found that 18.2% of black people especially experience emotional stress and half of that figure suffer with additional physical stress; the same was only true for 3.5% of whites, respectively. That difference arises from social and economic challenges faced (more broadly) by ethnic minority communities that stems from historical systemic racism.
The black community as a whole, and black men specifically, are truly over-stressed and underserved when it comes to health and wellness. All black men in America are faced with high-stress disorders from remnants of past chattel slavery, Jim Crow and the current systematic oppression instituted in all aspects of society, most importantly from the media, social, and justice systems. All with little access to health and wellness therapies to balance these negative energies. It makes a strong case that, in fact, ethnic minority communities have the most to benefit from learning about wellness and the practice of yoga.
Our founder Donald Edwards, a black male yogi operating in a white-dominated yoga landscape, is committed to giving back to our culture and community, by offering discounted or free access to yoga therapy and providing a safe space for black men to heal and decompress from societies ills.
Are you a black man interested in our yoga project?
We are offering our Basic Membership - 4 mat yoga classes per monthly cycle from $0 - $65, sliding scale, on a monthly autopay. No proof of income required; you decide what you can afford and let us know below. The monthly payment will be deducted from a debit or credit card every month, this is a non-contract membership, cancel at anytime via email. See our guidelines/cancellation page for details.
Willing to donate to The Black Men Yoga project?
All proceeds go to providing access to health and wellness and yoga services in a safe space for Black men in the community. Your donations are greatly appreciated.