Imagine a sunny, pre-spring Saturday morning, twelve Black men in their best athleisure, assembled for what most would assume to be a basketball run, a flag football game, or maybe — possibly? — some gentlemanly rounds of golf or tennis.

But instead of hitting the basketball court or the football field, they met up to … do yoga? Of their own volition? With the breath control and the namastes?

That’s right: on Saturday, March 7, about a dozen Black men residing in the DC area came to the first-ever Black Men Yoga Too event, presented by BeGreatDC and co-sponsored by Let’s Talk Bruh: A Podcast on Black Masculinity. Attendees were treated to complimentary massages by Sula Washington and At Eaze Massage before participating in a demanding hour-long session guided by yoga coach Tierra Briscoe. Through some sweat, almost some blood (I may or may not have kicked a man squarely on the head — sorry Justin!), and maybe even a few happy tears, we all emerged undoubtedly looser, both physically and spiritually, than we’d likely been in a while.

Glen Watson Jr. straightforwardly appreciated being able to share the experience with other black men. A regular yogi, Glen divulged that he started practicing the discipline to aid with his running journey. “[But] usually I am one of two to three Black people in class, and most always the one Black male,” he shared. “It was dope practicing in a room with my brothers and seeing a few try yoga for the first time. Representation does matter, and I’m definitely in favor of more Black men getting to yoga as a way to settle down from the grind and find their inner peace.”

In advance of Black Men Yoga Too, BeGreatDC and Let’s Talk Bruh also collaborated for a Twitter Live Chat on February 24 that examined the intersection of Black men and mental health. Highlights of the chat can be found under the #BGDCLive hashtag.

Rachael Payton, BeGreatDC’s founder and president, has been encouraged by the reception to this recent series of programming. “After creating our Working Women Wednesday program for Black women, we wanted to prioritize creating a similarly unique space for Black men,” she said. “Mental health impacts many in the Black community, particularly men and boys who are taught not to be as emotionally connected. It was a no-brainer for us to create an opportunity that helps break that status quo.”

Jeremy Herte, the founder and host of Let’s Talk Bruh, expressed that he found the event inspiring for several reasons. “It was beautiful to see a room of Black men coming together and embracing the vulnerability that comes with pushing our bodies outside of their comfort zones. Let’s Talk Bruh looks forward to partnering with BeGreatDC again in the near future.”

Special thanks to Yoga Heights DC for donating their facilities. View more photos of the event on the @BeGreatDC Instagram.

Interested in supporting BeGreatDC? Visit begreatdc.org or reach out to reachbegreatdc@gmail.com for more information.