Afro Flow Yoga Founders Leslie Salmon Jones and Jeff. W. Jones stand firmly rooted in intertwined tree pose.
Q: How would you describe Afro Flow Yoga to someone who's never done it?
A: Afro Flow Yoga is a practice of yoga, dance, and live music that's open to everyone! All ages, level, genders, sizes, races, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome in a non-judgmental environment. It's a safe space where you can be yourself and find freedom of self expression without being and feeling judged. It's a heart opening experience that helps to release stress and anxiety and create a compassionate connection between self, others, and the earth, raising the vibration of love.
Q: Where did the idea for Afro Flow Yoga come from? How did it manifest?
A: After having long careers—Leslie as a wellness professional, dancer, and activist—Jeff as a professional musician and engineer, and having traveled throughout Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean in pursuit of understanding our ancestry, we were inspired to combine our gifts by creating Afro Flow Yoga which integrates the practices we love and has helped us both grow and heal along our journeys.
Q: Can you talk about some of your proudest moments?
A: An example of our proudest moments was teaching Afro Flow Yoga at the Bali Spirit Festival in 2017 in Bali Indonesia. We had approximately 200 people in a circle speaking different languages, having different abilities, and being different sizes and ages. The power of the drums along with the movement creates a universal expression that transcends cultural barriers. Bringing people together from many corners of earth and all walks of life in a circle is part of our Afro Flow Yoga mission. Seeing people bond during and after each session is gratifying. Afro Flow Yoga is a heart opening, non judgmental experience. Often times, when people first come to the practice, whether they are in our youth groups, retreat setting, trauma healing or during a workshop etc, there is a natural tendency to feel resistant and fearful of trying something new. Over the past decade, we've had the honor of witnessing several moments of transformation as people experience the freedom of self expression and self acceptance and are pleasantly surprised with how well they did and how much they enjoyed the experience. We have built a beautiful diverse community of people who are committed to self care, caring for others and our planet.
Q: What motivates you both?
A: Our connection to the community keeps us going and flowing; when we witness people benefiting and thriving from the practice of Afro Flow Yoga, connecting to their truth, their gifts, promise, and potential—and most importantly with each other, it's exciting to see the community grow and thrive in an organic way. We love when people embody the practice of AFY off the mats and incorporate the practices in their everyday lives and therefore spread the love.
Q: Can you talk about your latest weekly online class offerings?
A: Once COVID happened, we converted our living room into a studio and have been live streaming Afro Flow Yoga from our virtual platform, on FB and IG every Sunday at 1:30 - 2:30pm EDT. The classes are by donation and we choose a charity each week to donate partial proceeds. So far we've raised funds for NOKIDHUNGRY.org, etc... and have donated approximately 6,000 meals through FeedingAmerica.org.
Q: That’s amazing. On the subject of Covid, what's something easy people struggling during this time can do to release some of that tension and stress?
A: Breathe! Breath is life. It's essential to our well-being, and it's a practice that’s portable. There are many benefits to having a daily breathing practice. For example, when we focus on our breath, it not only calms the nervous system but it also brings our awareness to the present moment, relieving anxiety of the future and pains of the past. Also, a simple practice of gratitude can help relieve stress. For example, starting each day off by focusing on one thing you're grateful for and continuing to build a list can set you up for an attitude of gratitude.
Q: What's a lesson you've both learned that changes the way you view the world?
A: No matter where you are in the world, what your background is, how much money and success you have, COVID is teaching us that we are all connected. For every action there is a reaction. This is a moment in history to take a pause and reflect on what connects us rather than focus on what divides us. Everyone is born with unique gifts and has something to offer the world.
Q: What are you both looking forward to?
A: Continuing to grow our online community and spreading the practice of Afro Flow Yoga around the world. We're looking forward to the day there is more balance, harmony, and peace in this world and all Beings will be free.
ProjectME loves partnering up with Afro Flow Yoga to offer free yoga to participants. To attend the upcoming class led by the stunning Leslie Salmon Jones and Jeff W. Jones this Saturday, May 9th at 4:30PM Est, register here. If you can (and only if you can) we encourage donating to Prevent Child Abuse America. Either way, we are delighted to look forward to seeing you this Saturday. Thank you Leslie Salmon Jones and Jeff W. Jones and their Afro Flow Yoga team in continuing to spread the light!
