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While there is no denying that we are all encouraged to be one with our bodies through yoga, there should also be no denying that the practice as it’s known in the western hemisphere has become controversial due to high amounts of appropriation—though not necessarily intentionally.

It is now quite common to see individuals with limited knowledge of yoga dawning tattoos symbolizing the practice and its mindset. Even the chants “om” and “namaste” are overused and abused. From edgy restaurants to yoga studios themselves, modern establishments commonly brand themselves with yoga terminology without attempting to honor the practice or culture of origin as a whole.

Yoga is an Indian-derived practice with many other lineages that have formed to include varying sub-focuses with their own diverse roots. It’s important that yoga instructors are grounded in their own practice because there are variations in tenets and poses across different practices. Still, it can be difficult to find a yogi in America with Indian origins or one who is intent on honoring the ancient foundation of the yoga they specifically promote. As a consequence, there is an accidental gap between yoga as was intended thousands of years ago and yoga as we know it in urbanized America.

The widespread cultural appropriation now associated with western yoga has cultivated an imbalance in the yoga instructors and studios that are supported. BIPOC yogis and studios are too often overlooked. You can still enjoy, as well as honor yoga, by being mindful of the yoga, yogis, and studios you support. Take the initiative to support BIPOC yogis and studios as the first step in restoring the traditional practice of yoga.

Here are 12 yoga instructors and studios to support today:

Kallie Schut

Location: Online

British Indian Kallie Schut just may be the ideal yoga instructor to look for. She and her practice embrace the years-old traditions of yoga while also increasing cultural consciousness, including a look into how colonization still impacts today’s yoga. The activist instructors not only offer online classes, but even have uploaded free lessons on YouTube.

Photo: Tejal Patel

Tejal Patel

Location: Online

Indian American, Tejal Patel, fuses social justice with yoga at every opportunity she can. This means that no matter what class you take with her, from a BIPOC session to a flow hour, students should expect to walk away connected to their mind, body, and community. Tejal’s classes vary in format. Alongside other yoga instructors within Tejal Yoga, you can look forward to attending her classes live or on-demand. 

Hola Yoga

Location: Nashville, TN

The home of country music isn’t exactly a melting pot, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t diverse gems hidden around the big country town. Hola Yoga is a Hispanic-American founded and owned yoga studio in the heart of the city. Sixteen yoga instructors call this calm environment home, with multiple instructors identifying as BIPOC. 

Photo: Hola Yoga

Khrys Baltodano

Location: Hola Yoga, Nashville, TN

Khrystine Baltodano, the founder of Hola Yoga, sought to develop an environment where students would be able to deeply connect with their minds and body when establishing her studio. Her teachings aspire to influence her students to embrace the entirety of what is yoga, beyond just physical movements.

Janette Guzman

Location: Online

Yoga therapy is an opportunity for mindful beings to connect more deeply with their physical body. Doing so allows for a greater chance of delaying and/or easing the pain of everyday injuries. More than a yoga instructor, Janette Guzman is a Yoga Therapist, dedicated to influencing her students on how to care for their bodies and confront their psychological traumas. Her online yoga classes are available in Spanish and cater to varying time constraints. Those wanting English-speaking classes can grow under care in private sessions. 

Roots2Rise

Location: Philadelphia, PA - Online

If financial concerns have ever deterred you from finding a yoga studio to call home, the Philadelphia-based Roots2Rise organization is here to help. All classes are free, but donations are always encouraged so that those who cannot normally afford to attend yoga classes are able to practice. The organization has multiple online sessions so that you are able to practice yoga safely. Roots2Rise ensures yoga access to all ages with a special class just for kids! 

Amy Perez

Location: Philadelphia, PA 

Philly Jawn, a.k.a Amy Perez, is a giver. She gives back to her beloved Philadelphia community by showing it is okay to reach out for help, and yoga can be a step in that right direction. Her teachings around the community emphasize the positive mindset change yoga awakens when done mindfully. This former educator can be found regularly facilitating free events so that each Philadelphian and beyond can embrace healing and growth through yoga and wellness.

Nam Chanterrwyn

Location: Online

If you are hesitant to try yoga because you aren’t sure of its benefits, take the scientific approach with Nam Chanterrwyn. Nam infuses an emphasis on strength, precision in body movement, and of course, mindfulness into his science-based yoga practice. He’s not just a teacher to community members and professional athletes. He is also a YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider) where his community bestows him the title of a “Teacher’s Teacher.”

Photo: Afro Yoga

Angie Franklin

Location: Online

Angie Franklin is a growing yoga revolutionary. Her work seamlessly weaves together wellness with social justice. This founder and CEO developed Afro Yoga as a tool to establish a space for connection, collaboration, and prosperity. If you’ve been looking for ways to immerse yourself into Black history through yoga, look no further than Afro Yoga’s Black Yoga Retreats. 

Photo: Yoga 4 A Good Hood

Imani Olear

Location: Y4AGH at Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center, Rochester, NY

Imani Olear founded Yoga For A Good Hood (Y4AGH) with one goal in mind: healing. The founder has noticed a void of POC yoga instructors over the years. The reason for this, she believes, is due to both inaccessibility and reality. Not only are people of color less likely to be able to afford yoga, they also may view the practice as silly or trivial, since many POC are forced to live in jarring realities. She believes that Y4AGH is a tool for the Rochester community to begin healing and breaking cycles by looking within themselves through accessible yoga.