Afrikan Yoga creates a perfect feeling of well being and when the body feels good and energetic, it stimulates the body to prevent and cure illness.  No other form of exercise has such a remarkable effect on the body's own natural healing powers.

I Practice the most ancient system of yoga, 'Afrikan Yoga', it's true name is Smai meaning Union/Breath.

Afrikan Yoga regulates your breathing improves energy levels, alertness and clarity of mind. It stretches and works the muscles in the body toning and giving an invogorating workout. Increasing your energy with oxygenated blood, which actually helps to store energy in the body and replenish cells.

Afrikan Yoga improves the circulation of blood and lymph, massaging internal organs. Improving the function of the glands, such as the pancreas, ovaries, thyroid, testicles, pituitary and adrenals. Many diseases are caused by poor circulation so Afrikan Yoga is a valuable therapeutic tool.

Afrikan Yoga incorporates, postures, dance, (womb dance), Hudu (Afrikan Tai Chi), visualisation, meditation and hikau.

Afrikan Yoga is the reconnection to the source. Afrikan Yoga is the combined wisdom of Ancient Afrika with its rich heritage in natures principles. Afrikan Yoga is timeless culture for everyday living.

Image Solar (Sena) Brother. The banner of Afrikan Yoga (Tamare Smai)

Afrikan Yoga Book Review

by

Dr Lydia Prosper-Grant

Afrikan Yoga like it’s author is as insightful as it is controversial. It challenges the popular misconceptions of the origins of modern yoga practices that have little to do with the original Indian teachings. It asks the reader to view it with an open mind since it questions and opposes all the common beliefs based on Indo-European value judgement associations of “white is pure and good” and “black is dirty and bad”. 

However, this is not simply the author’s personal view but a view that has been in existence for at least 5000 years.  He is merely relaying what Ancient Egyptians or more strictly speaking people from Ancient Khemet have stated on temple walls that have survived across the millennia.  Khemet is the black land inhabited by Khemetians black people.   They were the Nile Valley people that extend from as far as Uganda.  The black rich earth that surrounded the river was for them the source of abundance and the sun the source of life.  The elements of earth, water, air and fire were the source of all life.  If any of these fundamental elements were absent this would lead to death.  Therefore, for the Nile Valley people the pale arid desert was associated with death. 

This is why Pablo emphasises that all healing systems can be of benefit to all people however, the social, environmental frame of reference has much to do with the value system the people will adopt and develop.  Therefore, the Chinese healing system is primarily of most benefit to people of direct Chinese extraction.  The Indian healing system is primarily of most benefit to people of direct Indian lineage.  Consequently, the Afrikan healing system is primarily of most benefit to people of direct African ancestry. 

Afrikan Yoga informs the reader of the particular advantages of being more directly linked to the African healing system.  As most would expect the system involves dance or fluid body movement that encapsulates the earth, air, fire and water principles that are central to all Afrikan traditions.  The multilayered meaning common to all healing arts is intrinsic in the ancient heiroglyphs (sacred writings) of Khemet.  The book is a good introduction to what is a very ancient healing art.  Those familiar with the Indian Yoga system will recognise many of its elements of postures, breath work and meditation with a view to union with your true self.  The book claims that Afrikan yoga is the original healing art and that in reality we are all of African descent.

I have attended Pablo’s classes at the Alchemy in Camden (London) and although I have always enjoyed more dynamic forms of yoga, when I heard the rhythmic music with drums and flute while experiencing the vibrant fluid movements, I felt I had come home.

This book is for all those who wish to perceive the world of healing from an African perspective. Hotep (Peace)

Dr Lydia Prosper-Grant (A Trainee Yoga Teacher with TeachYoga - part of the Yoga Alliance.  A former student of Egyptology specialising in Middle Egyptian Grammar)