Why it Matters that I’m a Muslim Yoga Teacher…

Many would argue that religion should have nothing to do with being a teacher. But here’s the thing. Sometimes it does. Yoga has been co-opted as a tool for capitalisation and to promote white supremacy by the West, this many of us know. However, for many Indian Muslims, it gets more insidious than that. Yoga is used as a tool by right-wing Modi followers in India to ‘prove’ one’s Hinduism. So, conversely, Muslims are discouraged & stigmatised from practising Yoga.

In my experience and humble opinion from teaching in the diaspora, when my Indian Muslim students see someone like me teaching, they have expressed:

-Relief. Physical relief from ailments. Emotional relief to be spoken to in their language.

-Appreciation for my efforts. For being heard and seen. For offering something affordable & accessible.

- Sense of safety to express sensitive issues in a safe space.

-Community and a sense of ‘we’re all in this together’

-Joy in being able to move their bodies safely & healthily.

To me, these are the signs of true Sangha. Of Union. Of Yoga. Despite what the extremist lot would say.

So if you are a studio owner in a predominantly BIPOC area or someone in a position to offer Yoga to a disadvantaged population, please consider uplifting and supporting teachers who come from those communities. I cannot tell you enough what it means to us.