Tending to Black Body Joy & Pain

Unapologetically Black Yoga, for Black people by Black people, is a unique expression of somatic liberation movement, tender yoga & meditation, rooted in radical self-care & Black Body Joy. Our organisation is Black owned and brings a totally unique approach to wellbeing, emanating from the life giving rhythms and wisdoms of Black people of African heritage (including mixed race). Our accessible, loving yoga & somatic freedom movement, is conscious of racial trauma and offers the medicine

of:- collective compassion, rest & Black Joy.

Oya Heart Warrior - Founder (Yoga Therapist, Msc CounsPsych, Registered Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher, Msc CounsPsych, Independent Domestic Abuse & Sexual Abuse Advocate - IDVA/ISVA, Reiki Master) 

Watch Unapologetically Black Yoga For Black Body Joy

Unapologetically Black yoga is original. It was created by Oya Heart Warrior, a trained counsellor, Yoga therapist & somatic dance teacher in London, UK, to bring loving attention to the experience of Black people’s lives. We deserve access to wellbeing practices that recognise our racial stress, celebrate our culture and root us in belonging. Our affordable classes, workshops and retreats are lovingly dedicated to Black and mixed race women, men and non-binary people of African heritage, of all shapes, shades, identities and abilities.

Testimonials

“I realised that talking about my ‘problems’ did not shift the trauma of living under a system wedded in oppression. This is when I realised I had to go within the body; stretch, move, dance and feel, to move the trauma stuck in my body and to reclaim the aliveness, joy and power - shedding the deep exhaustion , depression and stuckness.”

— Dr Beryl

“I have been hardened. We all have been forced to harden and then judged for our hardness! Thank you for holding space for this softening for me and everyone who comes. It's vital work and I wish I had started sooner but then, how could I?”

— Boosh

“It feels like going to church - but only the good bits, body and soul set free in a safe community.”

— Marina

Unapologetically Black Therapeutic Movement & Meditation for Black Joy

Our soul-full yoga, liberation somatic movement + rest, is affirming, uplifting and restorative. Not confined to a mat, a fixed form or tradition, we centre Black Pain & Joy with liberation practices that nurture our wellbeing in body, mind & spirit.


Watch Unapologetically Black Liberating Meditation


Oya Heart Warrior - Founder of Unapologetically Black Yoga Classes and Retreats  by Black Yoga Teachers for Black Women and Black Men  to thrive

Unapologetically Black Workshops and Yoga Retreats

This is a present of self care that keeps on giving, as we delve deeper into practices that optimise your wellness. You become your best health ally, accompanied by like minded people prioritising our right to flourish.

 
Our training explores health issues that effect Black people and embodied approaches to address these

Community Training

We treasure the knowledge that builds and empowers our community to rise up. Our training explores health issues that effect Black people, offering mindful, embodied approaches to address them.

Unapologetically Black Yoga and therapeutic Movement for Black Womban

We hold space for Black womban in all seasons of life, to move freely and release tension. We stretch, dance, sound out, pause, restore and rest from all the labour we gift to this world.


Watch Mantras for Black Body Joy


Community collaboration

We work in community projects, sharing our practices

offering trauma first aid and personal liberation for survivors and ‘thrivors’

Unapologetically Black Yoga instructors recognise that Black people have to be tirelessly resourceful to live with the insidious impact of systemic racial stress. What toils in the mind recoils in the body, and often shows up as dis-ease. Our approach is both trauma sensitive and affirming - rooted in our wonder-full, while addressing physical, emotional & spiritual disquiet, with total respect for why it is there.