Selfed 51: Yoga Therapy is for Black Men Too
Selfed Podcast Episode 51: Yoga Therapy is for Black Men Too
In Episode 51 of Selfed, I talk about this world of yoga therapy I’ve been newly exposed to and how supportive it can be for Black men to have access to this form of healing. Yoga therapy is not just about stretching or doing poses; it’s about using movement, breathwork, and mindfulness to support overall wellness, but especially emotional wellness. As Men, or in my experience, espedially Black men, we often face barriers—both financially and psychologically—that make certain spaces feel inaccessible. My mission is to change that.
Yoga therapy is a powerful alternative or complement to traditional talk therapy, and the best part is, it can meet you where you are. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, addiction, stress, anger, emotional availability issues, or even just feeling disconnected from your own emotions, yoga therapy offers a structured, customized path to healing.
Unlike regular yoga classes, yoga therapy is 1-on-1, designed specifically for your needs. Through the teachings of conscious breathing, mindful movement, and emotional reflection, it gives us tools to better understand ourselves and actively participate in our healing journey. Psychological inaccessibility is real, especially for men like us who don’t see ourselves represented in these spaces, but Selfed is here to change that.
Yoga Therapy Explained
Yoga therapy is the process of empowering individuals to progress toward improved health and well-being through the teachings of yoga. It’s a holistic approach that includes more than just physical poses—this is about aligning the body and mind through intentional, reflective practices.
For me, as a Black man who found yoga therapy in unconventional ways, I want to help make this practice more psychologically accessible to men like me who don’t typically engage with these kinds of wellness tools. This isn’t about physical flexibility—although it can be, it’s about getting stronger through the pathway of emotions. Yoga therapy gives us back control, so we don’t have to commit to lifelong therapy without seeing results.
Why This Matters for Black Men
Black men are typically spoken about and marketed to in a way that can leave us out lot of resources, especially wellness resources. When it comes to emotional health, many of us were told to be strong, to hold it together, and yet, there’s little guidance on how to do that while processing our emotions. That’s where yoga therapy comes in. It’s a space where you can be make a conscious choice to engage with the emotions with yourself and if you choose, be vulnerable with others while you learn how to take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically.
There may be hesitation—therapy in general might feel “not for you”, inaccessible or expensive. That’s why I’m offering donation-based yoga therapy sessions as part of Selfed, a nonprofit initiative to make wellness tools available to those who need them most. This practice is about meeting you where you are financially, emotionally, and psychologically.
Expectations
Every session with me is 1-on-1, focused entirely on you and what you need. We’ll start with a conversation—much like my podcast interviews—except this time, it’s not for an audience. It’s about you. We’ll talk about your lifestyle, the emotional challenges you’re facing, and together, we’ll create a plan that’s easy to integrate into your routine.
The session will include a customized approach to any combination of the following:
Breathwork to regulate emotions
Mindful Movement to process feelings through the body
Self-reflection to help you uncover the deeper layers of what’s going on about what’s going on
This is about more than just talking—it’s about action and giving you tools to support your emotional wellness for the long term.
How to start
If you’re interested in exploring whether yoga therapy is right for you, all you need to do is fill out the intake form at www.getselfed.org/yoga-therapy. I’m currently offering donation-based sessions, making this an affordable and accessible option for anyone who wants to take the next step in their emotional wellness journey. After submitting the form, I’ll follow up with a link to book your session.
Try it out
This is an opportunity to get started while demand is still low. Whether you’re curious or already know you want to work on your emotional wellness, fill out the form today. If you’re not ready yet, join the Selfed newsletter to stay updated on upcoming workshops, podcast episodes, and more opportunities to heal.
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