Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shakethia ‘queen’ Robertson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Shakethia ‘Queen’ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I launched Sacred Spaces Yoga back in February 2020, with big dreams for what it could become. I envisioned a vibrant weekly class schedule and partnerships with Christian organizations to provide yoga for their staff and congregations. I planned and promoted my launch event with the excitement to finally introduce Sacred Spaces Yoga to the world (or at least to the people of Houston). Then, out of nowhere, the world shut down.

Initially, I didn’t even consider offering online or virtual classes. I was laser focused on the launch event, so when the pandemic forced me to cancel, I was at a loss. Like most yoga teachers, I tried offering virtual classes through Zoom and Facebook Live, but that didn’t last long.

Uncertain about the future of Sacred Spaces Yoga, I didn’t give up. Instead of throwing in the towel, I took it as an opportunity to expand my knowledge. I dove into researching online offerings for wellness businesses as well as enrolling in various yoga training programs to earn certifications.

Amid the chaos of 2020, I found myself overwhelmed by my instinct to do it all—and do it perfectly. So, I decided to take a step back and set aside a week to really meditate and pray about what Sacred Spaces Yoga was meant to become.

That week was a game-changer. I came out of it with a new understanding: Sacred Spaces Yoga was meant to be so much more than just a business offering weekly yoga classes. While that’s a wonderful path for many, I realized that my purpose was deeper. During one of those meditations, I felt God guiding me and revealing that this journey was about creating a space where people could truly connect—connect with God, the world around them, and ultimately, with themselves. I felt called to be a catalyst for that connection, in ways I couldn’t have imagined before.

By the end of that week, I had channeled those insights into creating my first “Worship in Motion” series: Heart2Heart Sacred Yoga + Meditation.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When I was officially diagnosed with clinical depression, I started searching for ways to invite more peace into my life. On my birthday, I took a leap and walked into my first yoga class, hoping just to relax. Little did I know that stepping onto that mat would change my life forever. I soon discovered that it was in that space I could find the stillness to really hear from God. Yoga became a vital part of what I now call my “Joy Routine.”

One of the first things I learned in yoga was how to use my breath to calm my emotions. Once I began experiencing the spiritual benefits of yoga, I felt a strong urge to share this practice with my community, particularly Black and African American Christians.

After I completed my 200-hour yoga certification, I enrolled in a training focused on Christian-based yoga. Being the only Black person in a class filled with 200 white women during 2019-2020 was eye-opening. It really solidified my decision to tailor my offerings to my community.

Through Sacred Spaces Yoga, I provide various practices and modalities to support healing for the mind, body, and soul. From yoga asana classes and meditation series to workshops that explore the connections between yoga philosophy and Christian principles, my goal is to create a safe space for individuals to connect with God through worship and wellness.

Since launching Sacred Spaces Yoga in 2020, I’ve undergone a profound theological evolution. The chaos of 2020 opened my eyes to how Western Christianity is often steeped in white supremacy and patriarchy. I found myself having to reflect deeply and confront some of my own beliefs that had, at times, harmed the very community I’m called to serve.

While my primary audience is Black and African American Christians, I’ve worked to evolve my language to be more inclusive, allowing for different spiritual expressions. I may not always read scripture or directly refer to God in my offerings, but my hope is that everyone who participates will have a meaningful spiritual experience.

As I continue to grow both personally and spiritually, so will Sacred Spaces Yoga. That evolution is one of my proudest achievements so far.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

In a world where everyone seems to be chasing trends and quick success, I choose to show up exactly as I am. I’m creative, I’m honest about my mistakes and limitations, I can get a little preachy sometimes, and I like to think I’m pretty funny too!

When people picture a yoga teacher, they often think of someone super “deep” or super flexible—like, can-turn-into-a-human-pretzel flexible. That’s not me at all. I’m a curvy Black woman who draws from my everyday life experiences to shape my yoga offerings. They’re real, relatable, and truly relevant.

At Sacred Spaces Yoga, you can expect to engage in deep reflection for your mind, enjoy an accessible practice for your body, and share some good belly laughs for your soul.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started Sacred Spaces Yoga, I faced a lot of backlash from people who believed Christians shouldn’t be practicing yoga. Sadly, this wasn’t new to me. Growing up as a church kid, I remember so many things being labeled as “demonic” just because a pastor said so, without any real explanation.

So, when the criticism started, I wasn’t exactly shocked. In fact, I was ready for it. I had all my rebuttals lined up and would engage in these debates, armed with scriptures and carefully thought-out points. But after all the back-and-forth, no one’s mind was changed.

That’s when it hit me: if I really wanted to make an impact, I needed to stop focusing on convincing people who weren’t open to it. Instead, I shifted my energy towards those who were genuinely interested in incorporating God into their yoga practice.

I’m confident that God called me to this work, and I’ve learned to let go of the need to defend my beliefs or my business. I understand that Sacred Spaces Yoga won’t be for everyone—and that’s perfectly okay.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sacredspacesyogahtx.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredspacesyoga/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sacredspacessyoga
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sacredspacesyoga

Image Credits

Nuna Imani
Visionary P