Why Beige Yoga Isn’t for Everyone - and Why We Need Change
Yoga is meant to be a healing practice. It’s a way to connect with your body, mind, and spirit while fostering a sense of community and belonging. But let’s address the elephant in the room: why isn’t yoga being brought into the communities that need it most? And why does so much of modern yoga feel so… beige?
The harm of beige spaces
From beige mats to the ever-present imagery of white, thin, able-bodied, cisgender women advocating for “love and light,” modern yoga spaces often present an ideal that’s exclusive and unrelatable to many. This narrative creates a disconnect, leaving out large groups of people who deserve to feel included in this transformative practice but may not see themselves represented.
“This space isn’t for you”
For many, stepping into these spaces can feel like walking into a silent message: “You don’t belong here.”
Imagine being a BIPOC beginner or someone with a different body size or ability walking into these spaces. Instead of feeling embraced, they’re met with judgment or discomfort. Yoga should be a practice that embraces individuality and celebrates everyone’s journey. Instead, it often becomes a space where people feel like outsiders.
The truth about yoga’s roots
Here’s the truth: yoga has been practiced for thousands of years by all kinds of people, especially by people of colour from the Indian subcontinent and Africa. Modern marketing often erases these origins, portraying yoga as a trendy activity rather than a deeply rooted spiritual and physical practice.
Honouring yoga means honoring its roots, which are anything but beige.
Beige yoga: generic and impersonal
Beige yoga often feels like it’s trying to mold everyone into the same aesthetic and practice. It prioritises appearances over substance, forgetting the unique ways people connect with yoga. It neglects the true purpose of yoga: to honour individuality and create a space for connection, self-expression, and healing.
Change is happening
Thankfully, the rise of inclusive, accessible, and BIPOC-led wellness spaces since 2020 is starting to shift the narrative. These spaces prioritise representation, accessibility, and a celebration of diversity. They show what yoga can truly look like when it’s for everyone.
Here are a few of our favourite inclusive and accessible wellness and yoga communities in London:
- Mandem on the Mat
- Ubuntu Spirit
- Pana
- Healing Space Bipoc
- Black Joy x Wellness
- Babes on Waves
- UNEARTHED
What inclusive yoga should look like
Yoga should be:
- Colorful and vibrant: Reflecting the unique personalities of its practitioners.
- Inclusive and welcoming: Where people of all backgrounds, abilities, and sizes feel like they belong.
- Rooted in authenticity: Honouring the cultural and spiritual essence of the practice.
Yoga isn’t about fitting into a mold. It’s about breaking free, embracing community, and finding a practice that feels authentic to YOU.
Where do we go from here?
There’s still a long way to go to make yoga truly inclusive and accessible. But the momentum for change is growing, and together, we can create a world where everyone feels at home in their practice.
If you’re tired of beige yoga, join us in creating a yoga space that’s as vibrant and diverse as the people who practice it. Browse our unique collection of African-inspired yoga gear and to support you on your journey!