“It’s an honor to be in this body”: A Black feminist grounded theory of embodiment through yoga among Black womxn

Abstract

This study qualitatively explored the processes by which Black womxn yoga practitioners (BWYPs) cultivate positive embodiment through their yoga practice. Embodiment in this study referred to the physical and lived experience of the body, shaped by Black feminisms. Participants were N = 30 Black womxn who were short- (≤ five years; n = 11), medium- (five–10 years; n = 10), and long-term (>11 years; n = 9) yoga practitioners. Participants completed individual interviews as part of the Embodied Sexual Health Study – a Black feminist project examining embodiment, sexual health, and yoga among BWYPs in the United States. Data were analyzed using critical-constructivist grounded theory informed by Black feminist qualitative inquiry. Results comprised two categories: “Ever evolving”: Nature of embodiment through yoga and “Finding flow in my body”: Dimensions of embodiment through yoga. The nature of embodiment through yoga outlined the four properties of embodiment for participants: (1) yoga-centered awareness of embodiment, (2) yoga-facilitated access to and aspiration for embodiment, (3) engaging embodiment using yoga, and (4) evolving and refining embodiment with yoga. Dimensions of Embodiment identified five interconnected aspects of embodiment experienced during and outside of a yoga practice: (1) wholistic communion, (2) body harmony, (3) body comfort and safety, (4) body attunement, and (5) body responsiveness. Implications for research and practice centering Black womxn, yoga, and embodiment are discussed.