Explore the connection between a historical celebration and a historical practice and how elements of unity, empowerment, and reflection are rife in both.

Juneteenth is a day of reflection, remembrance, and celebration of freedom, heritage, and African American culture. Commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth has been marked as a federal holiday as of 2021, by President Joe Biden.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the enslaved people were now free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued.

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. Combining physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation together into a practice that aids in flexibility, strength, and balance, along with reducing stress and increasing mindfulness.

How are the two connected? The connection between Juneteenth and yoga can be explored through various avenues. Yoga, as a practice that emphasizes unity, inclusivity, and respect for all beings, can be a tool for promoting racial equality, social justice, and healing if used with the appropriate sensitivity and respect. Being a black yoga instructor with the mission to bring this practice to all, it is critical I play a key role in listening to and amplifying the voices and experiences of the Black community. By ensuring there is creation of practices and events that are inclusive, accessible, and provide moments of connection, we can dive deeper into healing for ourselves and the community.

This brings us to these wonderful ladies that we had the honor of working with over the past months to provide our first Healing HER circle. We had a group of 20+ black women in one room opening their hearts and minds, to new experiences, old trauma, and present day threats to their well-being.

AIMwell was built on the idea of providing spaces for people to heal and making the yoga practice more accessible to Black and Brown people… considering its origins in India, this should not be a mission that we can stand on, yet it is. Not only is accessibility important, but so is the idea of seeing someone like you in a yoga class, a sentiment we have heard very often in our journey.

During our Healing HER event, we explored themes such as freedom, and empowerment, cultivating mindfulness, and engaging in self-care. In the context of Juneteenth, yoga can be a means of honoring and celebrating the resilience, strength, and liberation of the Black community.

Thank you for allowing AIMwell you fulfill our foundational mission and we cannot wait to continue building spaces like this.

The Yoga Collective is a rebranding of AIMwell KIDS blog. The Yoga Collective is your stop for yoga, business, and the real life. Brought to you by the founder of AIMwell Yoga a black owned yoga studio in the SE of the Kansas City and AIMwell KIDS a non-profit that brings yoga to students while in school, Black Boni the Yogi. Follow her navigation through applied yoga, business, and aiming to make sense of it all.

AIMwell Yoga operates out of The Borough KC, local food hall and community space. Our classes are every Sunday at 10am (live on YouTube, as well) and Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm.