Austin’s First Yoga Studio Is Unapologetically Black, Owner Says  

Marshawn Feltus, a longtime yoga instructor and owner of ACT Yoga, 5457 W. Madison St., Austin’s first yoga studio, was intentional about designing the studio space when he opened the business roughly a year ago. 

A wall-sized mirror enlarges the room, which has an aroma that’s soothing and inviting. You’ll see splashes of green — the color of harmony and growth, and the most relaxing on the visible spectrum —- throughout the space. 

Four massage chairs are bathed in bright green, a chess board nearby features contrasting hunter green squares, a large green potted plant plays the part of natural air purifier in a corner across the room, and a three-paneled painting on the wall near the entryway depicts flowing water. 

“You want people to come in and be stimulated but not overwhelmed,” Marshawn, 49, says. “When you walk in off Madison Street, it’s definitely a different feeling. We want people to feel the impact right away. We want them to feel that this is a place they really want to be.” 

Not your typical yoga studio 

“Yoga studios really lend to the Eastern philosophy,” Marshawn says. “We’re not even trying to appeal to the Western philosophy. We are unapologetically trying to cater to Black culture and we want to do that because we feel like if we show people simple solutions and ways they can use their body and mind to have a holistic and progressive way of living, then it’s worth it.” 

ACT, which stands for awareness, change and triumph, offers more than yoga. Certified massage therapists are on hand for sessions and community members can learn about resources offered by nonprofits, businesses and other supporting institutions. The holistic, wraparound services are complimented by Feltus’ non-judgemental instructional style. 

“We make basic cultural connections, understanding how we speak, what we like, how far we’re willing to disengage or engage. Most people are beginners, so it wouldn’t make since to expose them to the chanting and Sanskrit,” Marshawn says. 

“That would require more involvement. The style I teach is more conversational and suggestive, as opposed to coming in and dictating to you what you should and shouldn’t do,” he adds. “We also check in with people and see how their day or week went while connecting them to different services we have in the community. We want to expose them to much more than yoga.” 

Other aspects of the studio appeal to the surrounding culture. Marshawn knows that not all of his clients will have yoga mats and other equipment, so he provides that stuff for free. And he’s quick to emphasize that all of the equipment is deep-cleaned and sanitized after every session. 

Marshawn, who learned yoga while incarcerated, says it changed his life. But Initially he was skeptical. 

“Yoga has been divine for me, but early on I was totally against it,” he says. “I had been a power lifter for many years. Although I looked great, my body was really torn down from lifting all that heavy weight. After a long road of persuasion, I finally took my first yoga class. Since then, I’ve been practicing every day. I always say, ‘If yoga was a woman, I’d have married her on the spot!’ That’s how great I felt.” 

If you go

ACT Yoga, 5457 W. Madison St. in Austin, has a range of plans, ranging from $15 for a meditation session to $65 for private sessions.  Busy professionals might want to try the Workplace Refresh, a custom service that demonstrates yoga techniques that can be accomplished with a chair and/or in a space smaller than the size of a desk.  On the web: actyogachicago.com/ By email: actyogachicago@gmail.com By phone: (773) 331-6633