Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Blackburn.
Hi Raven, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My yoga journey began in 2019 when I took yoga classes while in college. After that, of course the pandemic happened, which led me to continue practicing on my own via YouTube, looking for Black yoga instructors that I could relate to and see myself in.
As life went on, my practice slowed down. After having children, I found myself navigating postpartum depression, anxiety, and several health challenges. Yoga remained in the background, but it wasn’t until 2024 that it truly found its way back into my life.
When Crunch Fitness opened in Cedar Hill, I initially joined to attend yoga classes. There was an instructor there who looked like me, and seeing her teach was incredibly inspiring. I became a regular in her classes and started recording myself simply to track my own progress. I had no intention of becoming a teacher at that time.
After practicing consistently at the gym, people began to stop me after class and ask if I was a yoga instructor and where I taught. After hearing it over and over again, I finally prayed, saying, “God, if one more person asks me if I’m a yoga instructor, I’m just going to sign up for yoga teacher training.”
Sure enough, someone asked again.
I took it as a sign and enrolled in a 200-hour yoga teacher training program at a studio near my home. I was nervous walking into a space I had never been in before, but what I found was so much more than a certification program. I found community. During those three months, I connected with other yoga instructors throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and it started to feel like I had truly found my people.
While still in training, I was blessed with the opportunity to be hired by Crunch Fitness in Duncanville. I earned my yoga teacher certification in June 2025 and began teaching that August.
Looking back, I realize my yoga journey was preparing me for moments I didn’t even see coming. In November 2025, my family lost my mother after a difficult battle with cancer. It was one of the most devastating seasons of my life. Through that grief, I leaned heavily on my yoga practice and the community that surrounded me. The support of my family, friends, students, and fellow instructors carried me through a time when I wasn’t sure how to carry myself.
Today, as I approach one year of teaching, I can honestly say that yoga and my community have healed me in ways I never expected. What began as a personal practice has grown into a calling. After spending eight years in the healthcare field, I decided to take a leap of faith to become a full-time yoga instructor and pursue my passion for helping others heal and become one with themselves and the Creator.
Through my business, Sacred Journey of Healing, I now have the opportunity to hold space for others as they navigate their own journeys of healing, growth, and self-discovery.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges was learning to trust myself. I started my yoga journey as a student who simply loved the practice, so stepping into the role of teacher was intimidating in the beginning.
During my yoga teacher training, there were moments when I questioned whether I belonged and even considered walking away. Balancing training, motherhood, a 9-to-5, and everyday responsibilities was very overwhelming, and there were times when self-doubt crept in. Thankfully, I chose to keep going because that experience taught me resilience and the importance of believing in myself even when the road got tough.
Another major challenge was navigating grief. Continuing to show up for others while processing such a profound loss was incredibly difficult. There were days when showing up felt impossible, but my yoga practice and community became a source of strength and healing for me.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also faced the uncertainty that comes with building something from the ground up. Starting a business from the ground up, finding opportunities, and stepping away from job security definitely requires unwavering faith, patience, and persistence.
Looking back, every challenge has reinforced my purpose. The obstacles didn’t stop me from moving forward- they helped shape the teacher, business owner, and woman I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sacred Journey of Healing was created from my own personal healing journey. What started as a way for me to find myself through yoga eventually grew into a business dedicated to helping others do the same.
At its core, Sacred Journey of Healing is about creating intentional spaces where Black women and men can slow down, breathe, and use mindfulness practices in their everyday lives. I offer private yoga sessions (1-on-1 and group), corporate wellness experiences, couples yoga, meditation, breathwork, and Reiki healing, all designed to support both physical and emotional well-being.
While I welcome everyone into my classes, I am especially passionate about creating representation and accessibility within the wellness space. I know firsthand how impactful it can be to see someone who looks like you leading these practices, and I strive to create spaces where people feel welcomed, seen, and supported.
What sets my brand apart is that I don’t view yoga as simply a workout. For me, yoga is a tool for healing, self-remembrance, nervous system regulation, and personal elevation. Whether someone comes to class seeking stress relief, physical movement, emotional support, or simply needing a moment of peace, my goal is to meet them exactly where they are.
What I’m most proud of is the community that has formed around this work. From first-time students to seasoned practitioners, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing people show up for themselves, build confidence, navigate grief, strengthen relationships, and discover what healing looks like for them. Those moments remind me why I started this journey in the first place.
As Sacred Journey of Healing continues to grow, my vision is to expand access to wellness through community programming, youth outreach, corporate wellness initiatives, and meaningful experiences that help people reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My biggest piece of advice is to put yourself in spaces where you can learn from others. So many people are looking for mentors online, but sometimes the best connections happen by showing up consistently and building genuine relationships.
For me, that meant attending yoga classes regularly, introducing myself, and taking the time to connect with people in the community. I found my mentor, Alicia Wilford, at Black Swan Yoga by doing exactly that. I took her classes, stayed after to have conversations, and continued to connect with my tribe.
Networking doesn’t always have to be formal. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my journey have come from being present, supporting others, and engaging with my community. My tribe wasn’t something I found overnight- it was something I built through showing up and making genuine connections. So don’t be afraid to go out there and introduce yourself, ask people questions, and put yourself in rooms where people are doing what you aspire to do. You never know which conversation could change the trajectory of your life.
Pricing:
- Private 1-on-1 Yoga Session (75 mins) – $120
- Private Group Yoga (75 mins) – $200
- In-Person Reiki Healing (90 mins) – $144
- Distance Reiki Healing (60 mins) – $88
- 1-on-1 Virtual Yoga Session (60 mins) – $80
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sacredjourneyofhealing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raejustbeing?igsh=cGpiZmpwZGhhMDVh&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sacredjourneyofhealing?si=WKCjvu3Xgke6QQ-3
Image Credits
Kyron Davis
Keun Rose
