Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is making a significant impact on her community by actively engaging with them at their level. She is a highly accomplished and internationally renowned celebrity Peloton Yoga teacher and scholar who is dedicated to making a positive impact. Her experiences led her to recognize the importance of representation. I have come to understand how to integrate that need into communities that may be hesitant to embrace new ideas. She wants everyone to understand that Yoga and meditation are accessible, can be learned, practiced daily, and enjoyed. 

Helping Individuals Realize that Yoga is Accessible to Everyone 

When I asked Dr. Roberts why it was important for her to bring her culture and life experiences as a yoga teacher, she replied, “I didn’t have many examples around me of people who looked like me, sounded like me, or even listened to the type of music I liked.” Many individuals choose not to participate in certain spaces due to a perception that these spaces may not be inclusive or representative of their identities. Due to similar ideas and personal experiences, Chelsea set a goal to establish a space for individuals who share her background. 

“I wish I had someone who was waiting for me to let me know that I belonged when I arrived.” 

After developing a deep passion for Yoga, she decided to pursue teaching it. She made the conscious choice to share her knowledge with a community that resonated with her values and beliefs. Chelsea stated, “I was aware that it was the music that would attract people,” as she began offering Yoga classes in coffee shops and community centers. She recognized that this would be a new experience for many individuals in the community and aimed to establish a space and atmosphere that would feel comfortable and familiar. It created a welcoming atmosphere for them. 

Despite her honest heart and sincere intentions, she faced numerous challenges on her journey to open her community to new experiences. Dr. Roberts stated that they would face significant resistance from members of their community who would question whether the initiative they were introducing had religious implications. Despite her concerns and doubts, she remained committed to her mission. She carefully designed her programming to help others understand that it should not be viewed as a religion, but rather as a practice that could be integrated into their lives to promote healing. 

“I have a Sunday Yoga class that I teach. I want them to know that I grew up in the church and I can bring both parts together on the mat.” 

What’s Yoga and Mindfulness? 

According to Dr. Roberts, yoga is a practice that can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds and abilities, and it may vary in appearance for each individual. She wants to emphasize to individuals from communities where Yoga may not initially appeal to them that it has the potential to be whatever they want it to be. Stop envisioning an athletic individual performing seemingly impossible poses. Chelsea explained that she has had the opportunity to teach highly skilled athletes who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. However, she noted that even these individuals find yoga to be quite challenging when they practice it with her. The topic is yoga, and its practice focuses on benefiting your body rather than the other way around. 

Mindfulness often appears to be a luxury. And to some extent, Chelsea would agree. “That’s why we practice Yoga and mindfulness meditation – to make it a regular part of our routine,” explained Dr. Roberts. She explained that practicing mindfulness is something we can all incorporate into our lives, especially when things get busy, and we feel the need to constantly keep moving. We are unable to cease. However, she emphasizes the importance of taking a moment to be mindful of the situation. Pay attention to both your external surroundings and your internal thoughts and feelings. Chelsea advised, “It is important to be fully present in the current moment and to be aware of your physical sensations.” Investing time in yourself will allow you to find balance and enable you to fully present yourself in various situations. 

“I tell people to make it something you look forward to.” 

Welcome to The Healing Journey! 

Dr. Roberts responded, “You are integrating your breath, movement, thoughts, and actions in your world.” I am curious to understand how Yoga can contribute to healing, from her perspective. She believes that it enables us to harmonize our thoughts, physicality, and spirituality. Having a fuller and more enriching life is the result of this. Chelsea expressed that when there is a lack of alignment, it is unlikely that one will be able to fully live their life. During meditation, particularly when we concentrate on our breath, we have the opportunity to center ourselves and genuinely embrace a state of stillness. She explained that the state of stillness enables us to actively listen and focus on the things that hold genuine significance for us. 

In her quest to heal communities, Chelsea went beyond simply teaching Yoga and meditation. I work as an educator, researcher, and ethnographer. Dr. Roberts stated that she studied culture, focusing on how people communicate and engage with each other within those communities. Her interests led her to conduct her dissertation at Emory University, focusing on the profound effects of Yoga and meditation on young women of color. Specifically, she explored how these practices could impact their schooling, friendships, extracurricular activities, and overall self-identity.