By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In Burlington’s Sadhana Yoga Studio, a unique and transformative space takes shape once a month. Here, Black women gather in a place created for healing, empowerment, and self-acceptance through yoga. Shelita Walker, a certified yoga teacher and the founder of Soul Sistas Yoga, has crafted this class to reflect a deeply personal journey and to address a significant gap she observed within wellness spaces. Her path to yoga opened doors to inner resilience and renewal, and she is now sharing this with others who may rarely see themselves represented in typical yoga settings.
For Walker, discovering yoga was life-changing. “I found a place where I could begin to support myself from within and give back to my body,” she shares. That initial spark led her to pursue yoga teacher training, but the journey was met with moments of isolation. “In the YTT space, I did not see myself. I was the only Black student. It was often difficult to have my voice heard when I challenged the perception of who the practice of yoga was for.”
In response, she established Soul Sistas Yoga to welcome Black women in the Halton area and beyond — a space where they are not “the only one.” She designed this class to embrace the self-nurturing qualities of yoga, bringing cultural relevance to every session. Soul Sistas Yoga is a judgement-free environment where women can arrive, “bonnets and all, unapologetically,” and find a community of mutual support and belonging.
Since the very beginning of Soul Sistas Yoga, I have been a part of this transformative space. As a certified yoga teacher and a lover of hot yoga classes, I was used to being the only Black person — or one of only two — in any class I attended. This first class with Walker was something truly memorable, as I found myself surrounded by women who shared similar experiences and journeys. At that time, I was grappling with a deep sadness as my son was being bullied at school, and I carried that weight with me into the class. Determined to hold it together, I sat through over an hour, fighting back tears, until we reached the time to share our journal reflections. At that moment, I let go and cried openly. I had never before felt so supported, loved, and understood within a community space. Here, we check our egos, code-switching, personas — everything — at the door, and we enter as our raw, authentic selves to heal the wounds we rarely discuss.
An award-winning historian, Les McKinnon, eloquently reminds us that history often overlooks the contributions of minority groups, saying, “We need to see ourselves in the landscape of history. We have a proud heritage that’s a shared history.” Soul Sistas Yoga honours this by creating a present-day space where Black women can show up authentically, celebrating not just physical wellness but cultural connection and pride.
Each session is tailored to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, catering to varied abilities and comfort levels. Walker’s teaching philosophy emphasizes participant empowerment over strict instruction.
“In my role, I guide participants rather than teach,” she explains. “They are empowered to be responsive to their bodies on their mat and, hopefully, in their daily lives.” As women choose poses, adjust, or simply rest in savasana, they are encouraged to honour what their bodies need without judgment.
The power of this space is palpable to the women who attend. Nia James, a participant, highlights the profound impact of the class, saying, “This space, these women, our energy, have been pivotal in my healing journey. I keep going back because I continue to heal.” Soul Sistas Yoga isn’t just about physical exercise; it’s about spiritual renewal. With journaling, laughter, tears, and deep conversations, the two-hour class nurtures both body and soul.
Oriana Jones, a teacher with the Halton District School Board, adds, “Soul Sistas gives me the space and strength to let my guard down finally. It is unbelievably healing to experience vulnerability and camaraderie through shared experience and identity.”
Creating Soul Sistas Yoga wouldn’t have been possible without the support of allies like Ali Cruise, the owner of Sadhana Yoga Studio. Cruise welcomed Walker’s vision with enthusiasm, providing a supportive foundation for the class to thrive. “This class is important for the community because it offers a space where Black women can feel seen, supported, and comfortable in their practice,” Ali shares. Her commitment to inclusive wellness spaces has been essential to Soul Sistas Yoga’s success.
Cruise hopes other yoga studios will follow suit, emphasizing the value of representation and inclusivity in wellness. “Representation in wellness is crucial, and providing spaces for various identities is a step toward creating more inclusive and supportive communities,” Cruise says.
Soul Sistas Yoga serves as a model for breaking down the stereotypes around yoga and who it is “for.” Walker is challenging these misconceptions by curating a space that affirms that yoga truly is for every BODY. She brings inspiration from wellness figures like Jessamyn Stanley and Dianne Bondy, who promote inclusivity and diversity in yoga and consciously works to ensure the roots of yoga are honoured by learning from yogi instructors like Susanna Barkataki. Through Soul Sistas Yoga, Walker is creating a lasting impact — one that empowers women to show up authentically, prioritize self-care, and connect in shared strength.
Soul Sistas Yoga takes place monthly at Sadhana Yoga Studio, located at BATTS ATHLETICS, 1233 Dillon Rd., Burlington, ON. For more information, visit sadhana-yoga.ca or call (905) 336-4232.
