In response to this time of unrest, BikramYogaWorks launched the “Breathe With Us” Ambassador Program. Today’s culture and climate can make it challenging for BIPOC (Black/Brown & Indigenous People of Color) to create a safe space for self-care and wellness. The trauma from witnessing unjust acts of targeted violence towards people who are like us, leaves us breathless.

Today, we want to encourage you, your family, friends, & loved ones to breathe. We breathe because we cannot allow others to dictate how we breathe for ourselves; we breathe so that we can encourage those around us to find a moment of stillness to do the same; we breathe for those who continue to fight tirelessly for our freedom; finally, we breathe for those who cannot breathe anymore.

Through the practice of yoga and fitness, we want this to be an opportunity for you to breathe NEW LIFE into yourself and those in your community.

The Baltimore yoga studio’s campaign started after Blackett-Dibinga, 43, who is Black, took her three children to a George Floyd protest at a park in Washington, D.C., where they live. She was struck by the chorus of protesters repeatedly shouting “I Can’t Breathe!”

“I could not bring myself to chant that,” said Blackett-Dibinga, who decided that night to use her teaching to encourage people to meditate, reflect and breathe. “I believe you speak things to existence.” –Washington Post