YORK, Pa. — Throughout February, FOX43 News shined the spotlight on Black-owned businesses in Central Pennsylvania. Showing uniqueness, individuality, culture and the arts, FOX43 visited several businesses to understand what it means to be Black-owned.
The last stop is Fire Life Yoga, located in Manchester Township, York County.
Fire Life Yoga opened in May of 2023 and is located at 1425 W. Market St. in York. Ashana Taylor, owner, says they experienced many struggles when establishing Fire Life Yoga. From supply chain issues to opening up in the pandemic, there were many setbacks before turning into a thriving business.
“We wanted it to be a sanctuary space where people could come and feel comfortable and so everything just had to be just right,” said Taylor. "Yes, so there were several setbacks just including that, you know, the timeline of the construction of the building, our heating unit... But we’re open now and serving the community, and that’s all that matters."
Taylor has taught all over Central Pennsylvania and has been a yoga instructor for over 10 years. Her first experience with yoga was before then, when she was a public school teacher going through her struggles. Taylor said she wanted to give the West York community something they needed and offer inclusivity.
“I encountered some great studios in my journey. None of them represented the inclusivity that I was looking for being a Black woman,” said Taylor. "So it was important to me to open a space that was not only for everyone, but in particular for the BIPOC population, and so I think that, you know, we’ve been able to do that pretty well here."
Adamant on providing inclusivity, Taylor also said that yoga can benefit Black women since they’re at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart-related deaths. Bikram Yoga amplifies the benefits of traditional yoga using heat. It can help you burn calories, build bone density, boost your cardiovascular fitness and improve your flexibility.
“We know that Black women are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease from hypertension from diabetes and stroke, and so it was really important to create a space for all women, but particularly Black women to come and move their bodies,” said Taylor.
To be a Black-owned business owner, Taylor said that she feels pride because there are many challenges people of color face.
“Just to be standing here, it’s beyond my wildest imagination, and for young people looking to embark on their journey, I would just say surround yourself with people who are supportive of you, but also believe in yourself,” said Taylor.
For booking and class information for Fire Life Yoga, click here.