For nearly a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has crippled families across the country who struggle to deal with the impact of job loss, homeschooling, and other issues. As Americans look for ways to manage their stress, more are turning to yoga for relief. 

The practice of yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago and is based on a series of physical poses, meditation, and breathing techniques. 

Yoga gained popularity in the United States in the 1920s and 30s as Westerners discovered its mental and physical benefits. However, African-Americans are still less likely than other groups to practice yoga today. But Black yoga instructors like Chicago-based teacher Exavier Pope are trying to change the narrative and make yoga more accessible to Black communities.

Pope believes religious and cultural obstacles often keep Black people from practicing yoga. “We look at it as something we shouldn’t be doing. We think it’s only for white people,” he says. He adds that men often view it as a less strenuous form of exercise meant only for women. “If you combine those things, you can understand why some Black men may be skeptical,” he says. But Pope believes that skepticism could cause some men to miss out on something that is both mentally and physically beneficial.

Pope identifies as a Christian, and says he had a limited picture of yoga’s connection to spirituality before starting his practice.  He went into his first class expecting to lose weight but says he ended up getting a whole lot more. He started slowly, but he eventually found himself practicing six times a week. Yoga had become a way of life, and he was hooked. He added cardio and strength training exercises to his regimen, converted to a vegan and gluten-free diet, and lost over 60 pounds. “I think I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been in my life,” he says. “And I can do handstands.” 

In 2016, Pope took his practice to the next level and became a Registered Yoga Teacher. With his Zen and Juice Yoga classes, Pope has curated an experience that allows him to deliver what he felt was missing from classes he took, including good music. “I try to make it how I get down. The classes are upbeat, we have a DJ, and there’s way more movement,” he says. 

His yoga practice has helped him off the mat as well. Pope says yoga has given him more confidence and helps him make better decisions, particularly with his children. “I introduced meditation to my kids as a form of discipline,” he says. “Rather than yelling or fussing, we just sit. And it has been super beneficial to our relationship.”  

Pope believes having more teachers of color can help bring more Black people to the mat. He says he never saw Black instructors in the studio and was often the only Black man in any of the classes he took. He wants to encourage more Black men to remove the prejudice they have about mindfulness so they can reap the benefits of a personal yoga practice. “Brothers need to realize that it’s courageous to say, ‘I need help.’” he says. “Awareness is a beautiful thing.”  

If you want to try one of Exavier Pope’s yoga classes for yourself. Check out Zen and Juice Yoga at mindbodyonline.com. “The classes are upbeat and challenging,” he says. “The chill part is at the beginning and the end. In the middle, we’re going in.”

Check out Zen and Juice Yoga at www.mindbodyonline.com