Yoga for Empowerment: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusivity with PIES Fitness Yoga Studio
In the quest for empowerment and self-discovery, doing yoga for empowerment has emerged as a transformative force in many lives. At PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, founded by the inspiring Marsha Banks-Harold, the mission is to make yoga accessible to all, irrespective of background, age, or physical ability.
In this blog post, we delve into the remarkable journey of our yoga studio and how it champions diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment through yoga.
Making Yoga Inclusive
Marsha’s journey into yoga was driven by a desire to help her two sons with special needs process and heal from their traumatic experiences in the foster care system. She recognized that the traditional fitness-focused approach to yoga lacked inclusivity and decided to change that narrative.
Marsha’s dedication to her own yoga practice led to her accumulating an impressive 1,000-hour certification, officially making her a yoga therapist. Today, as the proud owner of PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, she offers yoga therapy and her flagship method, “My Body Don’t Bend That Way,” to historically marginalized individuals, including trauma survivors, older adults, and those with special needs.
Representation and Inclusivity
Marsha, a woman of color with a background in engineering, understands the importance of representation. She wanted to create a space where everyone felt seen and heard. In her very first class, she noticed that many of her students were older adults who faced physical limitations. This inspired her to develop specialized programs tailored to individual needs. Marsha firmly believes that any yoga pose can be modified to accommodate anyone’s unique abilities.
Marsha’s learner-based approach ensures that her studio is a welcoming space for everyone. She begins each class with an intake process where students share their emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual states. This helps tailor the practice to suit the needs of each participant, fostering inclusivity and empowerment.
Yoga as Therapy
At our studio, yoga is more than just a workout; it’s a therapeutic method. Marsha offers yoga therapy training for those interested in becoming certified. This comprehensive program covers anatomy, yoga foundations, biomedical practices, psychology, and more. It emphasizes treating yoga as a therapeutic tool rather than a mere exercise routine.
The studio collaborates with local medical professionals and physical therapists, enhancing Marsha’s method and ensuring that participants receive a holistic and safe experience.
A Welcoming Community
With over 30 certified instructors and a diverse range of class types, including yoga in Spanish, belly dancing, and prenatal-focused yoga, our studio truly offers something for everyone. Marsha has witnessed incredible physical and mental health benefits among her older clients, with some even shedding their previously needed canes and finding stress relief through the therapy and community we provide.
Empowering Families
Marsha’s personal journey extends to her family, as she practices yoga with her husband, two biological sons, and two adopted sons. She’s seen the incredible impact of yoga on her sons, especially the two trauma survivors, who have learned to manage their emotions and find peace through the tools she’s shared with them. In fact, Marsha recently certified her older son, a testament to the transformative power of yoga in their lives.
In conclusion, PIES Fitness Yoga Studio stands as a shining example of how yoga can empower and unite individuals from diverse backgrounds. As Marsha shares her story about the many benefits of doing yoga for empowerment, her commitment to inclusivity, representation, and yoga as therapy has created a safe haven for all to embark on their journey towards self-discovery, healing, and empowerment through yoga. Together, they celebrate the strength of diversity and the transformative potential of yoga.
How PIES Fitness Yoga Studio Can Help
For the past several years, PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, one of America’s finest yoga studios, has been at the forefront of senior yoga, serving the senior population of Alexandria, Virginia, and the wider DMV metro area. It conducts over 30 yoga classes on a weekly basis for both old and new clients, with opening check-ins providing a place to connect with fellow classmates and build a community.
Interested in senior yoga? Join PIES senior yoga classes today and enjoy the best of Alexandria yoga for seniors.