As a yoga teacher and practitioner, it's important to honor and celebrate the diversity of cultures and backgrounds that make up the yoga community.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which provides an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the contributions and achievements of AAPI individuals in the United States.

Here are some ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month as a yoga teacher or practitioner.

How to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month as a Yoga Teacher

1. Learn about AAPI history and culture

Take time to educate yourself about the history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Learn about the struggles and triumphs of AAPI individuals and communities throughout history. This can help you better understand the unique experiences and perspectives of AAPI individuals and can inform the way you approach teaching yoga.

2. Highlight AAPI teachers and practitioners

Highlight AAPI teachers and practitioners in your classes and on your social media platforms.

This can help bring attention to the contributions and achievements of AAPI individuals in the yoga community. Consider featuring AAPI teachers in guest teaching spots, or inviting them to speak about their experiences in your classes.

3. Incorporate AAPI themes into your classes

Incorporate themes and practices that honor AAPI cultures and traditions into your yoga classes.

This could include incorporating elements of traditional Asian medicine, such as acupuncture or herbalism, into your classes. You could also include traditional Asian breathing techniques, such as pranayama or qigong.

4. Host a community event

Think about all the ways you want to get more involved with these groups. You know what’s at the center of it all? Community! Host community events that blend what you do best (yoga, of course) with these communities.

Offer a free drop-in class at the AAPI community center, set up a happy hour in the studio and send out invites to the AAPI community, or even set up a community meet-n-greet in a public park that blends yoga with mingling! 

5. Support AAPI organizations

Support AAPI organizations that are working to promote AAPI rights and empower AAPI communities. This could include making a donation to a local AAPI community center or advocacy organization or volunteering your time to support AAPI-led initiatives in your community.

6. Create a safe and inclusive space

Create a safe and inclusive space for all members of your yoga community, including AAPI individuals.

This means being mindful of language and actions that may perpetuate stereotypes or micro-aggressions toward AAPI individuals. It also means being open to feedback and actively working to create a welcoming environment for all members of your community.

7. Engage in self-reflection

Engage in self-reflection and education around your own biases and privileges. Recognize that as a yoga teacher or practitioner, you may have blind spots or biases that prevent you from fully understanding the experiences of AAPI individuals.

Take time to reflect on your own identity and the ways in which it shapes your perceptions of the world, and seek out opportunities for education and growth.

8. Amplify AAPI voices

Amplify the voices of AAPI individuals in your yoga community and beyond. This could mean sharing articles or social media posts by AAPI writers and activists, or featuring AAPI voices in your own writing or teaching.

By amplifying AAPI voices, you can help create more space for AAPI individuals to be seen and heard.

In conclusion, celebrating AAPI Heritage Month as a yoga teacher or practitioner is an opportunity to honor and appreciate the diversity of cultures and backgrounds that make up the yoga community. By taking time to learn about AAPI history and culture, highlighting AAPI teachers and practitioners, incorporating AAPI themes into your classes, hosting community events, supporting AAPI organizations, creating a safe and inclusive space, engaging in self-reflection and education, and amplifying AAPI voices, you can help build a more inclusive and equitable yoga community that celebrates and supports the contributions and achievements of all members.