Today we’d like to introduce you to Akilah Moore.
Hi Akilah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in fitness. Yoga was something I always wanted to try, but I didn’t think it was something for me. When I finally took my first class, I enjoyed it, but I couldn’t help but notice that no one in the room looked like me. I was usually the only Black woman there, and although I didn’t dwell on it initially, the absence of representation lingered in the back of my mind.
That began to shift in 2018, when I met Tameka Gray, a Black yoga instructor who created a beautiful, affirming community of Black men and women in her classes. She taught me how to do an assisted headstand, but more importantly, she showed me what it looked like to make space for people like me in wellness. Her presence inspired me, and her classes felt like home.
That inspiration stuck with me. One day, I simply woke up and decided to become a yoga instructor. I started researching how to earn my 200-hour certification and applied to the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Integrative Medicine Yoga Teacher Training Program. I was accepted, but I had no idea how I was going to pay for it—there were no scholarships or financial aid options at the time. I kept searching for other programs and committed to saving.
Then the pandemic hit. Life changed overnight, but something unexpected happened—yoga training programs went virtual and became more accessible. I was able to enroll in a program, afford the tuition, and devote the time I needed to complete it. In a time of so much uncertainty, I found clarity and alignment.
I taught my very first yoga class on October 31, 2020, at Gwynn Oak Park—now one of my favorite places to practice. My friends and family showed up with love and masks, practicing yoga by the waterfall. It was refreshing, healing, and exactly what we needed.
By December 2020, I earned my 200-hour certification. In January 2021, I launched Brown Suga Yogi teaching virtual restorative yoga classes every Sunday morning. Since then, Brown Suga Yogi has evolved into Brown Suga Yogi Health & Wellness Suite, a space where I center meditation, yoga, and holistic health through workshops, events, and intentional community care.
My business was born from the desire to see more people like me in wellness spaces. It continues to grow from that same purpose.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. There have definitely been some bumps along the way, but looking back, I can see how each challenge helped shape the journey I’m on today.
When I first registered for my yoga teacher training, I just knew that once I became certified, I would land a job teaching at a gym. After completing my certification, I got an interview right away. I was so excited and really wanted the position. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job, and I was crushed. At the time, it felt like a major setback because I had worked so hard to get to that point.
Eventually, I landed a position as a substitute yoga teacher. I finally had the opportunity to teach my own class, but there was a catch—it was during the pandemic, so the class was virtual. I had one student. I was disappointed at first, but I decided to make the most of the opportunity. That one student gave me the chance to teach, practice, and build my confidence. It ended up being a much more rewarding experience than I expected.
Not long after that, the gym closed, and once again, I found myself back at square one. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but that closed door was actually a blessing in disguise. I decided that instead of waiting for someone to give me an opportunity, I was going to create my own.
Since we were all stuck at home, I started my virtual Self-Care Sunday Restorative Yoga Series with family and friends. It was a hit! That experience showed me that I didn’t necessarily need a gym or studio to build a yoga community. I could create my own space and invite people into it.
Then the pandemic ended, we were all back outside, and I thought, “Okay, now people are going to flock to my classes!” Especially the people who had participated in my Self-Care Sunday series. Well…that didn’t happen. *Laughs.* In the beginning, I struggled to get people to sign up. Sometimes people would register and still not show up. It was discouraging, and I had to learn not to take it personally.
Instead, I started using those empty spaces to create content, promote my business, and figure out what my audience really wanted. I also began volunteering at My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, where I taught weekly chair yoga sessions. That experience was incredibly meaningful. The women looked forward to their weekly yoga sessions, and I eventually had the opportunity to facilitate a wellness workshop for the employees as well.
Working with the women at My Sister’s Place helped me build my confidence and reminded me why I started teaching yoga in the first place. It wasn’t always about having a packed class or getting the job I thought I wanted. It was about making an impact.
Looking back, every “no,” every empty class, and every unexpected detour helped push me toward entrepreneurship and encouraged me to create my own lane. The road definitely hasn’t been smooth, but I’ve learned that sometimes the detours are what lead you exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a certified yoga instructor specializing in Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Chair Yoga, meditation, and wellness experiences. But I don’t see myself as someone who simply teaches yoga classes. I create experiences that allow people to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and have a little fun while doing it.
One of the things I’m known for is putting my own spin on yoga. I’ve created experiences like Self-Care Sunday, Trap Yoga, R&B Yoga, and other themed wellness events that bring together movement, music, mindfulness, and community. My goal is to show people that yoga doesn’t have to look or feel a certain way. You don’t have to be super flexible, wear expensive yoga clothes, or already consider yourself a “yogi” to benefit from yoga.
What sets me apart is my ability to make people feel comfortable and seen. I bring my personality, my Baltimore roots, and my love for wellness into everything I do. I want people to walk into my classes feeling like they belong and leave feeling better than when they arrived.
I’m also passionate about bringing yoga outside of traditional studio settings. I’ve taught community classes, youth yoga, chair yoga for seniors, wellness workshops, private events, and programs for organizations and community groups. I love finding creative ways to meet people where they are and introduce them to wellness in a way that feels realistic and relatable.
What I’m most proud of is that I didn’t wait for someone else to create a space for me. When opportunities didn’t come the way I expected, I created my own. Brown Suga Yogi started from a desire to share yoga and self-care with the people around me, and it has grown into a community and a brand that represents so much more than yoga.
I’m proud to be creating a space where wellness and culture can coexist. For me, it’s about helping people understand that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. And if I can help someone breathe a little deeper, move a little more freely, laugh a little louder, or simply take an hour for themselves, then I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that may surprise people is that I’m actually a natural introvert. When I’m not teaching, I’m pretty comfortable being behind the scenes, reading a book, or enjoying my own space. But the moment I step onto my mat and see a room full of people, something shifts. The energy of the room transforms me into a completely different person, especially during my Trap Yoga classes! There’s something about the music, the movement, and the energy of the crowd that brings out a whole different side of me.
Another thing people may not know is that when I first started practicing yoga, I was not flexible at all. I definitely couldn’t do some of the poses I can do today. But I kept showing up, and with each class and each year of practice, I became stronger and more flexible. That experience reminds me that yoga really is a journey and not a destination.
I’m also a bit of a nerd. I love to read, and outside of yoga, one of my biggest passions is writing and directing plays. I produced my first play last year, I’m currently working on a Christmas play that will debut on December 12, 2026.
So, while people may know me as the “Brown Suga Yogi,” there are definitely a few more layers to me. I’m an introvert, a yogi, a reader, a playwright, a director, and a creative who loves finding different ways to connect with people and tell stories.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brownsugayogi.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: @brownyogi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akilah-moore-6b1234208/
