Shakuwra Gay: Brooklyn, New York, USA

As a student, yoga represents freedom, and as a teacher, yoga represents the keys to freedom for others. Our biggest battles are internal. Yoga has allowed me to be the victor, and I long to offer that experience to my community.

I started my journey through yoga at the age of 25 but did not take my practice more seriously until the following year. I started with the sole purpose of weight loss. As my practice continued, I saw yoga as a medium to get more in-tune with my body, and I developed acceptance for my body as it is. For most of my life I’ve experienced aspects of body dysmorphia due to my weight, and yoga gave me the tools to release the most harsh thoughts. It wasn’t until I experienced the trauma of loss that I became encouraged to deepen my practice to become a yoga teacher.

I started my teaching journey by holding donation-based yoga sessions in the park, within three boroughs of New York City. As a queer Black woman, my goal has been to offer peace and wellness to my community by removing the financial barrier. People of color and the LGBTQ community are vastly underrepresented, and it’s my goal to bring the work to them. My dedication to my community encouraged me to further my education by completing a trauma-informed teacher training. I teach because people constantly remind me that my existence alone inspires them. I want to continue to be visible to end the stigma that yoga is just for one demographic. Healing and wellness is everyone, especially for those who need it most.

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