When It’s OK to have your Back Against the Wall

There is no shame in having your back against the wall in yoga. It’s like a trusted friend that can support you when you need a helping hand. Chair pose or fierce pose, is called this because it can be intense. It draws on your core strength and fires up the largest muscle in your body - the thigh muscles or quadriceps - to keep you steady. Add lifting your chest and arms into the mix and you can see why it feels pretty demanding on the body and you can build up a sweat - just sitting there.

Unapologetically Black Yoga believes that yoga should support our bodies within the range of movement that is comfortable and available to us in any given moment. You will not hear me saying ‘no pain no gain’ - but rather ‘do not bruk up yourself’. We can be supported in fierce pose and still get the benefits it confers to build mental focus, strengthen the back, core, legs, ankles and even the respiratory system.

Chair or Fierce Pose (Ukatasana)

The pose is like sitting in a chair but not

Unapologetically Black Yoga is all about encouraging Black people who don’t identify with the flexible, fit, thin body type to claim their right to the benefits of yoga. I know lot’s of Black people who think yoga isn’t for them because they aren’t flexible enough or think yoga is too hard. I tell them this is all a myth that has nothing to do with the essence of yoga - which is to connect with our divinity - which has always and will always be us.

Yoga is for us and with a little encouragement, a lot of choice and a toolkit of adaptable postures, Black people can access this body mind healing modality with joy.

You are welcome to use support for postures, rest, slow down, and add or take away in all of our classes. Our tender practice is focused around your choice. We are lovingly dedicated to Black Joy and radical self care. So yes sometimes its OK to have your back against a wall if it’s offering you support.