Who we are…
The Black Women’s Yoga Collective (BWYC) is dedicated to increasing wellness accessibility for people of color, especially Black people, and creating more representation for Black women in the wellness industry. We believe that everyone deserves equal access to wellness and the opportunity to exist comfortably in wellness spaces. In order to be truly impactful, our wellness practices and spaces must be intersectional.
Founded in 2018, BWYC strives to support the growth and healing of people of color via:
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- free + affordable yoga classes virtually + IRL,
- specialized workshops + events,
- Black women-centered yoga + wellness retreats,
- free digital wellness resources,
- social justice + impact initiatives,
- community outreach + support,
- community collaboration;
- and so much more.
Since 2018 when BWYC began, our community has grown to over 100k members and counting. Our global community includes people from numerous cities across the US, South Africa, Berlin, South Korea, France, and so many more places. After launching our virtual practice space in 2020, BWYC Studio has held over 200 virtual yoga classes and workshops. We’ve hosted 50+ Black women instructors who shared various styles of yoga, meditation, sound healing, and other movement forms with our virtual community.
In 2022, we began to host Black-women exclusive yoga and wellness retreats. Our retreats are all about beautiful experiences, sisterhood, connection to self, rest, and recharging. Gathering in destination locations like Joshua Tree; Temecula - Wine Country; Tulum, Mexico; and Bali, Indonesia - BWYC retreats are all about Black women coming together to cultivate healing energy as a collective.
Here at BWYC we’re focused on holding space for the community to create true, lasting connections - both within and with others. Whether you’re starting a yoga practice, curious about meditating, or looking to simply feel better, we hope to support you on your journey with wellness in any way we can. Currently serving the virtual, New York and Los Angeles areas - keep an eye out for expansion to new areas!
MEET the team
Founder
Hello!
My name is Mel Douglas and I'm the founder of the Black Women's Yoga Collective.
BWYC is the product of my love for black women, yoga, and community. In developing my personal yoga and wellness practice, it became impossible to ignore the lack of faces who looked like mine in the wellness industry. I believe that everyone deserves access to wellness and that healing is a radical act. As a black activist and wellness advocate, I aim to support my people reaching for healing in every way possible.
I practice and teach yoga to empower myself and serve others in accessing their own power. I hold a 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Certification and have completed my Baptiste Power Yoga Level 1 + 2 100-hour teacher trainings with the Baptiste Institute. I’m also trained to teach yoga to those who’ve experienced trauma, seniors, and children.
It is my hope that we can uplift each other and connect for a higher purpose as a community.
Community Coordinator
Peace!
I’m Drew Muse, Founder of Body Bend Yoga and Community Coordinator for the Black Women’s Yoga Collective. I’ve been a part of BWYC since connecting with Mel at a community event in 2019.