Ask anyone who knows her, and they would say her soul is full of sunshine, which is quite apropos for the owner and practitioner of Soulful Sunshine Yoga with Sakile, Sakile Brathwaite-Hall. A moving force of grace and power, Sakile’s mission is to empower bodies in our communities to breathe, stretch, and unleash the untapped potential that mindful movement and wellness have in every aspect of our lives.
When we think of wellness, holding space, and breathing, there is an assumption that it is easy to do. It’s breathing, but it’s more than that. It’s about being intentional, embracing the journey, and facing the challenges of occupying space in an industry that does not see black and brown communities as benefactors of yoga practices and mobility wellness. 87% of yoga instructors are women, and 77% are white women. Black women make up 5.7% of yoga instructors. Exposing the community to yoga and creating a nonjudgmental space has its share of challenges, including feeling out of place in the art she loves.
As a “new” teacher, it is easy to get caught up in the narrative of “not being good enough” because there are so many other skilled teachers around. But I remind myself (as well as gentle reminders from my parents and folks that look out for me) that everyone starts somewhere and that my showing up and being myself is of the utmost importance.
Yoga is an expression of self-care that centers us, improves our health, and helps us manage everyday stress’s effects on us. It is also the vessel that Sakile uses to fight for the equitable treatment and liberation of black and brown bodies. Having had a lifestyle rooted in holistic wellness since early childhood, avidly participating in church and community activities, and keeping it moving as an active athlete, she intimately understands what a body in motion is caple of. She has publicly taught yoga and curated holistic wellness opportunities in the community for almost two years.
The passion behind her work centers around improving access to yoga, encouraging inclusivity of various body types, abilities, and age levels, and seeing more black and brown people breathing.
When we control our breath and bodies, we unlock so much within us. When I see people affirm and understand the beauty of their bodies, appreciate the small blessings around them, and emanate more love and kindness into the community, and primarily realize it starts with themselves, it brings me joy. And that joy is deeply connected to embracing that control.
Carving out and cultivating space for people to tap into their power and work their magic, magic being full use of their bodies and controlling their breath, is just one part of Sakile’s work. The other is preserving space where we can just be. Without these spaces, the community loses a sense of itself when we don’t find moments of stillness and just breathe. It is vital to develop and nurture a deep love within ourselves, discover love around us, appreciate the incredible land we live on, and listen to ourselves and what we need. It’s about connection. The connection Sakile builds with her students and the community she loves proves her success. “When a young students tell me “Ms.BH, that was fun!” Phew! Truly moments like that feel like the epitome of success. For a young child to have found joy in something new that I have taught them or shown them just feels like the reason why I am meant to be doing this. Finding innovative, creative, and engaging ways to connect them with their breath.”
A teacher, student, and life-long learner, Sakile is committed to bringing true wealth in wellness to the community. She teaches yoga at seven locations, including The Ritz-Carlton St.Thomas, Rocke City Pole Fit, Breathe St.Thomas, two local elementary schools (teaching classes inclusive of students K-5th grade), SeaView Rehabilitation Center, and Saje Sanctuary. Yoga and mobility wellness is beneficial for children as young as three years old to seniors looking for additional avenues of movement, and receiving a welcoming reception for her classes is a gift that keeps on giving.
There is much more to learn, unlearn, re-learn, and grow from, and the ability to pivot and adjust to the community’s needs has helped to create the space to broaden her reach. “I’m so thankful for @Breathe St.Thomas and the work Elizabeth Nurse and Tyler Rice are doing and continue to do. They have poured into this community in so many ways, and although being a teacher at the studio has been wonderful for me, being a part of their mission to have children’s yoga classes in public schools brings me the most joy each week!”
The small wins are gratifying, but Sakile also has big goals on the horizon. She aims to serve 100 black women who are first-time yoga students within the next year, a goal she may surpass. Increasing opportunities and exposure to reach more community members and grow her practice to be financially thriving and fiscally beneficial to the community are also on her list of future accomplishments.
We build community by meeting people where they are and creating a safe space for exploration, self-love, and care. Trying and experiencing previously inaccessible modalities satisfies our inner curiosity and leads to more beautiful things. If you need to breathe and find the magic in stillness, seek out the sunshine, and Sakile will guide you.
Sakile Braithwaite-Hall is a wellness entrepreneur from St. Thomas. She is an alumna of Spelman College with a B. S in Psychology min. Education Studies, and alumna of Northeastern University with a Masters in Education conc. Learning and Instruction.
Follow her on Instagram -@soulfulsunshine_yoga
Websites/Email Contact:
https://linktr.ee/soulfulsunshineyoga
soulfulsunshineyoga@gmail.com
A Breath of Fresh Air and Magic that Soothes the Soul