BDO: How important is representation in the health and wellness community?
CC: It’s really important. I believe that image representation and positive image representation is a powerful thing. I think that seeing someone that looks like you that has a positive image or is in a leadership position, it can just go a long way just making you feel that whatever it is, is for you too, just based on seeing your reflection. I felt like that when I was an engineer and even throughout other titles in my life, even just with our past presidency, I think that positive image representation can help break barriers because it allows you to realize something is for you. In the case of yoga, just breaking those barriers so that all of the benefits and the healing tools can be accessible to everyone and they can know that it’s for them too, and they can start to experience the benefits of whatever it is they need.
BDO: Why do you feel it’s important for people to do yoga?
CC: With everything going on, I just stress the importance of giving it a try because, this can be a great holistic tool, and [while] there are other things that work just as well, but I think there’s something about moving your body, especially if you’ve been sitting all day. There’s also learning different breathing techniques that can instantly help you destress. Yoga can really serve as an outlet and a relief [both] physically and also emotionally, just with some of the movements and connection with the breath. That combination can be a powerful thing and it can add more awareness in your life to help you [ultimately become] happier and healthier.
BDO: Have you received any backlash because you’re providing a website dedicated to Black people?
CC: I do receive some backlash because of the fact that it is promoting wellness in yoga to people of color, by people of color and I think just because of that, there has been couple of comments saying that [YGB] is segregation promoting or even non-yogic because of that. But, I think that until inclusion becomes the standard and not the exception, spaces like [YGB] are necessary. It’s definitely within the minority that I receive comments like that versus others that think it’s a powerful thing and has made a difference in their lives, so I’ve just been focusing on that.
BDO: What are the future plans for YGB?
CC: I’m really hoping that in 2018 we have local events, so either events that are sponsored [or] sponsoring the teachers in different cities and all over the nation or even in the case of the retreat. I’ve been looking into hosting a retreat [because] I think it’s important that we also come together in a physical space together. I love the virtual community, I think that has been really great, but, I think there’s also power with us connecting in person. But, overall, I just want to reach as many people as possible, whether it’s on the internet or whether we meet in person.