My name is Felicia, and I’m a Black RYT 200 yoga instructor from Delaware based in Houston, Texas. I’ve been teaching yoga since 2022 with a passion for making yoga more accessible and increasing representation within my community. The Black Yoga Teacher Training (BYTT) Scholarship is an annual award granted to a BIPOC individual pursuing their yoga teacher training certification and stepping into the professional realm of yoga.

OUR WHY

Throughout my journey of teaching and working toward certification, I noticed a clear disparity. Yoga teacher training programs often lack the diversity reflected in the communities that need and benefit from these practices the most. In my experience, finances and limited accessibility play a major role in that gap.

I began my yoga journey as a single mother in the military. At the time, it was extremely difficult—and not yet possible—for me to commit to a certification program, whether in person or virtual. Beyond time constraints, finances were a major hurdle as I navigated a new lifestyle in my mid-to-late 20s. Still, I remained committed. I began teaching classes, saving what I could, and holding onto the vision of becoming certified one day.

Life continued to present challenges. After a car accident that resulted in a major injury to my dominant hand, I made the decision to ask for support from my community. With the help of fellow instructors, we came together to volunteer our time, teach classes, and raise funds to launch what is now the BYTT Scholarship.

OUR IMPACT

Our first scholarship recipient was Velora of Philadelphia. In collaboration with Yoga Chitta’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program, we awarded $1,650 to support her enrollment in the March cohort. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who donated, shared, and supported our first annual BYTT Scholarship.

Black Yoga Fest is our bi-annual wellness event and primary fundraiser for the BYTT Scholarship. In 2026, we are expanding our impact in both Philadelphia and Houston—partnering with Flow with Tiff’s Yoga Teacher Training Program in Philadelphia and Flow with Fe Yoga & Wellness in Houston. Through these partnerships, the scholarship will be awarded to BIPOC participants in each program, directly supporting their journey into becoming certified yoga instructors.

Representation matters. When you give, you’re not just supporting one student—you’re helping shape a more inclusive, accessible future for yoga. Give to support and empower the next generation of Black yoga teachers.