Non-performative yoga is about stripping away the pressure to conform to a specific aesthetic or idealized version of the practice. It’s about reclaiming yoga as a personal, intuitive experience rather than a performance for others. Abiola Akanni’s approach centers on authenticity, encouraging practitioners to move in ways that feel right for their bodies—not just what looks impressive on Instagram. If you’ve ever felt out of place in a yoga studio, or like you needed to contort yourself (literally or figuratively) to fit in, this might be the practice for you.
The Problem With Performative Yoga
Yoga, at its core, is a deeply personal practice rooted in mindfulness and self-awareness. But somewhere along the way, especially in Westernized spaces, it became about achieving the perfect pose, flaunting the most expensive leggings, or contorting into pretzel-like shapes for social media clout. For people of color, plus-size individuals, or those with disabilities, this hyperfocus on aesthetics can feel alienating—like yoga is a club they weren’t invited to. Akanni noticed this early in her teaching career. She saw how the emphasis on physical perfection overshadowed the mental and spiritual benefits of yoga, and how it pushed people away rather than welcoming them in.
How Non-Performative Yoga Differs
Unlike traditional Western yoga classes that often prioritize alignment and aesthetics, non-performative yoga is about listening to your body and honoring its needs in the moment. There’s no pressure to push into a pose if it doesn’t feel right, and modifications aren’t just allowed—they’re encouraged. Akanni’s classes often include prompts like, "What does your body need today?" instead of rigid instructions on how a pose "should" look. This approach makes yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of flexibility, size, or experience level.
Why Representation Matters in Yoga Spaces
Akanni’s struggle to attract students—both white and Black—highlights a bigger issue in wellness spaces: representation matters. When people don’t see themselves reflected in a practice, they’re less likely to engage with it. For Black and brown yogis, walking into a studio where everyone else looks nothing like them can feel intimidating, even unwelcoming. Non-performative yoga seeks to change that by creating spaces where all bodies are celebrated, not just the ones that fit a narrow beauty standard.
How to Practice Non-Performative Yoga
You don’t need a special class or instructor to embrace non-performative yoga—you can start right now, wherever you are. Begin by letting go of the idea that your practice has to look a certain way. Focus on how poses feel, not how they look. If a movement doesn’t serve you, skip it or modify it. Use props (or don’t). Take breaks when you need them. The goal isn’t to perform; it’s to connect with yourself. As Akanni puts it, "Yoga is about coming home to your body, not contorting it into something it’s not."
The Future of Inclusive Yoga
Non-performative yoga is part of a larger movement to make wellness spaces more inclusive. From body-positive studios to adaptive yoga for people with disabilities, the industry is slowly shifting toward accessibility and acceptance. But there’s still a long way to go. Akanni hopes her work will inspire other instructors to question the status quo and create spaces where everyone feels like they belong—no performance required.
At its heart, non-performative yoga is a rebellion against the idea that you have to change yourself to fit into a practice that’s supposed to be about self-acceptance. It’s a reminder that yoga is for everybody—literally. Whether you’re rolling out your mat for the first time or you’ve been practicing for years, you deserve to feel seen, supported, and free to move in a way that honors your unique body.
