Kemetic Yoga | An Egyptian Yoga System

Kemetic Yoga is an Egyptian based Yoga system created by Dr. Asar Hapi and Master Yirser Ra Hotep during the 1970s. It involves a combination of physical movements i.e. Yoga poses, breathing techniques, and meditation, but also focuses on the movement of energy through the body.

The name Kemetic comes from “Kemet”, an ancient name for Egypt which means “black land.” The modality is said to be based upon the Smai Tawi, a spiritual African practice from the Nile valley thought to be more than 7,000 years old, which incorporates very similar practices and goals when compared to Indian Yoga.

Some claim that this practice actually predates the Yoga practices of India, but the history and actual evidence of these claims remain a bit obscure. The fact is that Kemetic Yoga as practiced today is a modern development, mainly inspired by Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs that depict stretching poses and meditation practices.

Also known as African Yoga, Kemetic Yoga is said to be a healing Yoga system, using a series of progressive postures, done in a slower pace than most Yoga practices, and focused on creating postural alignment. This brings about benefits such as stress relief; increased blood circulation for a better flow of nutrients and oxygen to vital body systems; and allowing internal Life Force Energy and cerebral spinal fluid to flow more efficiently throughout the body.

Apart from the physical benefits, it’s believed that through the regular practice of Kemetic Yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, and by circulating Vital Energy through the body, practitioners are able to connect with their own higher intelligence and the Divine, reaching the final goal of Enlightenment.

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