Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Sapp.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2014, after leaving a demanding corporate career, I met with a group of women in Fort Worth to explore how yoga and meditation could better serve people dealing with mental health challenges.
I had wrestled with depression for much of my life, and at the height of my corporate career—when I had everything I thought I needed to be happy—I experienced the worst depression yet.
Having a high-profile job made it difficult to make the changes I needed to regain balance and mental health. Outwardly, I excelled, but inside I felt lost and alone. A friend suggested I try Kundalini Yoga and recommended a book of meditations designed for people with psychiatric conditions such as depression. The book included scientific evidence of how consistent practice could change the brain, which was enough to get me to try.
At first, the classes seemed a little cultish with most people dressed in white, the teachers wore turbans, and there was chanting—but I was intrigued by the possibility of real transformation through these techniques and I committed to a 40-day meditation practice. After several weeks, subtle but profound shifts began to happen. I regained hope. For years, I believed I was damaged—the diagnoses, the head injuries, the harm I had done to my body and mind all convinced me I was “broken.” But this practice gave me a new perspective.
In December 2012, a layoff created an opportunity for change. I vowed to make meditation a priority and returned to my hometown of Fort Worth and continued exploring yoga and meditation more deeply.
My yoga practice was life-changing, and I felt drawn to the idea of teaching others what I had learned. My first career had been as a counselor, working with others in recovery from addiction, depression, and other mental health struggles. Although it is more common today, throughout my career in the helping professions I had never encountered anyone teaching practices like this.
I often thought about ways to make these teachings more accessible to those that needed them. These are tools for healing that should be accessible to everyone. That vision led me to organize the 2014 meeting.
At that gathering was Dr. Kari Rollins, a physician who had spent decades weaving yoga and meditation into her medical practice. I was surprised to find Kundalini yoga being taught in Fort Worth and much less by a physician. Kari became my mentor and friend and taught me a new way to approach my condition. My next encounter with depression was different: she helped me face it head-on by tailoring practices to support my symptoms. Her guidance was life-saving.
Those who knew Kari will tell you she had a way of making you feel deeply understood and cared for. As a yogi, she knew the foundation of being is spiritual, and when she spoke with you, she addressed the real you—the part of yourself that holds the source of healing.
Our friendship deepened, and in 2017 she asked me to partner with her to open a yoga studio. I gratefully accepted, and Raja Yoga was born.
From the beginning, we envisioned more than a yoga studio. We wanted to bridge yoga, healthcare, and community service. She was passionate about teaching healthcare professionals what she had learned and I was passionate about the mental health community. Our goal was always bigger: to bring purpose, healing, and transformation to people’s lives. Over the years, we trained doctors, therapists, community leaders, and people from all walks of life—many of whom went on to incorporate these practices into their personal and professional lives. We created a space where yoga was not simply exercise but a tool for profound healing.
When Kari passed away in 2022, it was hard to continue, but her final words to me kept me going. In our last conversation, I told her I didn’t know if I would have the passion to keep the studio alive. In her very direct and matter-of-fact way, she said, “You have to do it. You have important knowledge to share. The right people will show up. You don’t have to do it alone.”
She was right. Despite grief, the right people came forward, and Raja Yoga thrived. I love the community we built, but I longed to reconnect with our original mission. Recently, I stepped back to reflect, and the answer was clear: to return to the vision born in 2014. Out of that clarity, I formed a Board of Directors and filed Articles of Incorporation for the Raja Yoga Community Center—a nonprofit dedicated to making yoga, meditation, and holistic practices accessible to all.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nonprofit work will bring its own challenges—such as balancing financial sustainability while remaining accessible to all—but I welcome them. Obstacles have always been my greatest teachers. They’ve shown me the power of perseverance, collaboration, and staying true to a mission that matters.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, as the founder of the newly formed Raja Yoga Community Center, I carry forward the mission to destigmatize yoga and meditation and make them accessible to all who could benefit. I also seek to raise awareness of both their benefits and their potential risks. Many people seek spiritual practices when they are in need of help, and as a community we need to ensure that individuals receive safe and proper support. This requires collaboration among mental health professionals, physicians, community leaders, and yoga studios. It is my intention to bring these people together to share ideas and resources.
My passion lies not just in teaching yoga but in creating an ethical, inclusive, and accessible hub where holistic practices can reach those who need them most.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Anchor yourself in your “why.” When your work is rooted in purpose, it will sustain you through setbacks. Surround yourself with the right people, and ask them for help when you need it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rajayogafortworth.com/
- Instagram: rajayoga_fortworth
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rajayogafortworth
