“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, ao-button”} }”>

This is the second in a series of “My Practice” articles in which we share a glimpse of a group’s or individual’s unique relationship with yoga.

It is only fitting that I address the Sacred Sisterhood on International Women’s Day. Curled up around a ring lamp and sitting on a plush couch, they’re all glowing—even after completing a 63-minute Half Primary Ashtanga series. “Everybody [week] it’s something different,” says Koya Webb, who hosts the group at her home. “It’s based on the energy of the group.”

This is the first time the group has engaged in such a long practice. As a rule, no one has a free hour. But on this particular day, they happened, and Webb jumped at the chance.

This is logical: these are five women without a lot of free time. Webb is a yoga teacher, author, and motivational speaker. Marv Fraser is involved in interior design, cooking and consulting as a creative entrepreneur. Aeisha DeVore Branch runs Pretty Girls Sweat, a company focused on making fitness fun and accessible. Patrice Washington is a podcaster, speaker and financial expert. And Chantel Jiroch creates healthy and aromatic dishes recipes for her 264,000 followers on TikTok.

Between the five of them, they have over a million Instagram followers and busy schedules. But every Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m., they meet at Webb’s house in Atlanta to chat, socialize and practice yoga.

What does their practice look like?

The weekly class is Webb’s brainchild. When she moved to Atlanta in April 2022, she found herself craving a new routine in her decade-long yoga practice. Instead of going to a local studio, she wanted to host a group of friends at her home for a chat.

Depending on the week, they can choose to practice for 15 or 30 minutes, depending on time constraints. And although Webb is a yoga teacher, she practices with the rest of the team, rather than leading them in a flow. However, she chooses a course taught by the Sacred Sisterhood, often from one of her favorite YouTube channels. The day I spoke with them, she chose a video from Laruga Glazer.

The type of class is a surprise, but everyone goes to the mat with an open mind, Fraser says. This openness translates into how they approach the poses themselves. “We all know that not everyone is perfect,” she says. During the series, they can fall on each other’s mats, talk or even “mom jokes”. This is a type of energy that is welcome in space.

Regular meetings quickly turned into something that went beyond physical practice. The group spends time before the sequence in a chat, reflecting and communicating. For each of them, these are often the most important moments of the morning. “Sometimes releasing emotions or releasing stress from a relationship or work can be more important than a couple of poses,” says Webb. It is this closeness that makes their gathering a sisterhood.

The importance of the weekly meeting

Although Webb is a yoga teacher, each member of the team has a unique approach to the practice. For example, Branch and Jeroh train with each other almost every day. However, Wednesday’s practice gives them an opportunity to tap into another realm of strength and peace in the midst of their busy lives. “Yoga is when we actually stop and connect with our bodies,” Branch says. “It’s something very spiritual.” This is suitable for a group name.

This does not mean that every sequence is based on quiet reflection. Branch recalls the group’s scrim session as one of his favorite mornings. (A slightly different—but very valuable—cathartic experience.)

This is a group that recognizes power, connection and manifestation. A few years ago, Washington cut a photo from Essence magazine to add to her vision. It was a photo of Webb doing yoga. She never dreamed that they would meet, let alone train together. A year later, they connected – and now flow together. After all, nothing can stop the power of sisterhood.