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What is Kemetic Yoga?

5 Things you Need to Know about Yoga’s Egyptian Roots

by Libby Campo & Caroline Collins 

Image from Dec. 2022 Kemetic Yoga Series at Lucyja Hygge

In 2022 after several years of friendship and becoming each other’s “chosen family,” YIY founder Libby Campo and YIY YTT co-facilitator Caroline Collins teamed up to teach Kemetic Yoga throughout and beyond the Memphis area. In less than a year through pop-up classes and community offerings, they’ve exposed over 100 students to the practices and philosophies of Kemetic Yoga, pulling up at the Tone Pleasure Symposium, the CathARTic Festival in Orange Mound, Athleta Saddle Creek, Fitness Under the Stars, Lucyja Hygge, and the Memphis Rox Yoga Festival. 

While yoga is a widely known system of wellness practiced around the world by an estimated 300 million people, Kemetic Yoga is unfamiliar to many. Yoga’s African origins and Egyptian roots are rarely mentioned in yoga teacher trainings (with Your Inner Yogi’s YTT being one of a few exceptions, of course), yoga classes or conversation. So, we’re answering 5 common questions about Kemetic Yoga right here on the blog so that you can begin to deepen your practice, knowledge, and connection. 

1. What is Kemetic Yoga?

Kemet was actually the name of the region of Northeast Africa now known as Egypt, prior to colonization and renaming by the Greeks. Kemetic Yoga is a compilation of practices and philosophies based upon the systems of spiritual enlightenment that emerged from this region as many as 10,000 years ago. Our teacher, founder of the Yoga Skills Method, Master Yirser Ra Hotep describes it as a “healing and regenerative practice” that infuses deep and controlled breathing with intentional and geometrically progressive physical postures that promote alignment of the spine.

2. Did yoga begin in Africa?

Indeed. In fact, many of the postures that we see in other styles of yoga — such as Wheel Pose, Lotus Pose, Plow Pose, Headstand, and Spinal Twists — were depicted on temple walls, predating evidence of yoga in Ancient India. As the people of the land of Kush (the collective region) migrated northeast into the Indus Valley, the practices proliferated and were expounded upon by sages whose names we more commonly hear associated with yoga’s origins, like Patanjali. This does not negate yoga’s Indian lineage, it simply adds more depth to our understanding of yoga’s roots. 

Image Description: Kemetic spiritual initiate depicted in Plow Pose on temple wall; Source: Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Art (MoCADA)

3. What about the name “yoga?”

That too is based on Kemetic philosophy and history. “Yoga” is a Sanskrit word meaning union or the yoking of two or more, often opposing, parts. This is derived from the Kemetic concept of Smai Tawi found in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which means “union of two lands.” Those lands were Upper and Lower Egypt (the latter of which Memphis served as the capital city). Kamites held spirituality at the foundation of their very existence, with every breath and action taken on Earth aiming to serve their highest good. Their goal was to live in truth, balance, and harmony (Ma’at), earning their soul entrance into the Afterlife. Union of higher and lower consciousness was essential—and that’s where these philosophies came into play.

4. What makes the practice of Kemetic Yoga unique?

The answer to this question can be deeply personal, especially for folks descending from the African diaspora as Kemetic Yoga enables us to see ourselves reflected in a practice created by our ancestors. Beyond that, there are several elements that are unique to Kemetic Yoga, including:

  • Geometric progression to promote one’s own alignment, embodying harmony through the sacred shapes of nature
  • Tongue connection (pressing the tongue to specific points on the roof of the mouth) to strengthen internal power and connection
  • “Rule of 4” breathing (inhale, pause, exhale, pause) to activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System aka “rest and digest” mode

In addition, there are many unique poses in Kemetic Yoga honoring the energies of Kemetic gods and goddesses (Neter and Neteru), such as the Pose of Selkhet, the Pose of Min, and the Pose of Immortality (depicted on the back of King Tutankhamun / King Tut’s royal chair found in his tomb), as well as guidelines for living, such as the 42 Ideals of Ma’at. And again, this is a regenerative practice meant to promote enlightenment, ascendance, and higher consciousness. The focus is on ease, order, and moving slowly with intention rather than trying to burn calories, break a sweat, or push oneself beyond their edge.

5. What are the benefits of Kemetic yoga?

See above 😊 

For too long, Black folx did not see ourselves reflected in yoga’s history, mainstream yoga culture, nor the very yoga spaces where we were practicing. Knowing that our ancestors practiced meditation and mindful movement for spiritual cultivation is indeed a benefit, as it affirms that we not only belong in these practices, we built them. For those who don’t identify as Black, there is the benefit of having this expansive knowledge to help you deepen your practice through truth, harmony, and allyship.

Additionally, given its prioritization of ease over force, Kemetic Yoga may feel like an antidote for those who feel off-put by the pressure to “perform” poses in other yoga classes for the sake of contorting your body and conforming to external expectations.

Aside from the above, benefits of Kemetic Yoga include promoting:

  • Alignment of the entire musculoskeletal system and spine
  • Improved circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid
  • Improved oxygen flow (Shu) and life force (Ankh) throughout the body’s vital organs
  • Increased feelings of calm and reduced physical and psychological impacts of stress

and more.

Continue your learning…

Libby and Caroline will be announcing additional classes throughout the Memphis area at the beginning of 2023 – stay tuned! In the meantime, you can practice with Libby on Tuesday morning’s at 6:30am through Your Inner Yogi or Caroline through SoulCarebyCaro.com

For more information on Kemetic Yoga, we recommend:

Image from Aug. 2022 “Sip, Flow, and Grow” pop-up at Athleta Saddle Creek