our story

We originally came together during the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the summer of 2020 around the question of how yoga studio communities could do better in dismantling the structural racism that has been long overlooked in the wellness industry, where teachers, teacher-trainers, studio owners, and leadership voices are overwhelmingly White and economically privileged.

Our first project was to launch a six-part conversation series where we examined the historical relationship between yoga practice and social justice activism, setting the stage for examination of the challenges we face in our present moment of growth and change, both as a society and as a yoga community. The entirety of proceeds from this first conversation series established seed money for these stipends; we are grateful to The Wild Gifting Project for the remainder of funding.

By providing greater access to Teacher Trainings for members of the BIPOC community, and honoring their voices, experiences and perspectives as a part of our yoga community at large, we believe we can create a community that is truly inclusive and welcoming to all.

marsha banks-harold, co-founder

Marsha D. Banks-Harold, Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F), E-RYT 500, YACEP, RPYT, RCYT, BSEE and owner of PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, is an intuitive healer called to empower clients to fortify one’s strength of awesomeness; to learn to rely on one’s authentic self; and to cultivate everlasting physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual (PIES) peace. Marsha is the creator of the flagship yoga class My Body Don’t Bend That Way. ​Marsha, a wife of 27 years, is a mother to two sons and a legal guardian to two additional sons thriving after early childhood complex trauma. She also works as an electrical engineer and serves as an officer in her church. Marsha’s passion in life is serving those impacted by trauma, those living with special needs and conditions, special population clients and those seeking lifestyle management guidance.

annie moyer, co-founder

Annie Moyer, M.A., E-RYT 500, YACEP, mom to young adult twins, and co-owner of Sun & Moon Yoga Studio, began practicing yoga in the early 90s as a young activist in Washington, D.C. and as a high school English teacher in Hyattsville, MD. Drawn to the classic texts and of yoga as a skillful means to serve others and repair harm, she views the tradition not just as self-care, but care for the world.  Along the way, Annie has taught yoga, meditation, and yoga philosophy to thousands of yoga students in public classes, in corporate settings, in private one-on-one sessions, as part of basic and advanced teacher trainings, on retreats, and as part of a literature/writing class called she designed for high school students called The Wisdom of Yoga. Annie lives in Arlington, VA, with her partner Amir Tahami (senior teacher and co-owner of Sun & Moon), their two Persian cats, their rescue dog Prince, and the twins when they’re home from college.