What is Kemetic Yoga?
Kemetic Yoga refers specifically to the work performed by Dr. Asar Hapi and Yirser Ra Hotep starting in the mid-1970s to re-discover the ancient Kemetic connection with Yoga. Smai Tawi originates from Ancient Kemet (Egypt) and is commonly referred to as Egyptian or Kemetic Yoga. The practice combines physical postures, breathwork, and meditation based on images of pharaohs and deities depicted on temple walls, tomb carvings, and hieroglyphic texts. Kemetic yoga, which originated in Egypt, focuses on the movement of energy through the body in order to connect with one’s higher intelligence and the divine. Unlike faster-paced modern yoga styles, one practices Kemetic yoga at a much slower pace than in a standard asana class, and there is more of a focus on meditation and the chakras (energy centers).
The Kemetic term for the practice is Smai Tawi, which translates to the joining of the lands of upper Kemet and lower Kemet, or union of the two lands. It is represented by the gods Heru (or Horus) and Sebek (or Sobek) tying ropes around the Smai symbol, which depicts the human spine and lungs. This symbolic union reflects both the unification of ancient Egypt’s two regions and the integration of higher consciousness with the embodied self—a concept analogous to the Sanskrit meaning of “yoga” as union.
Origins & Lineage
Kemet, or KMT, was an ancient name for Egypt during the era of the pharaohs. The physical poses of Kemetic yoga are taken from ancient illustrations of Egyptian gods and goddesses. Archaeological evidence of these postures appears on temple walls, notably Ramses the II at the Temples at Abu Simbel, he’s got his feet on the ground, his knees over his ankles, and he’s sitting hands in his lap.
The modern revival of Kemetic Yoga began in 1970s Chicago. The founding of Kemetic yoga developed in a community that included Asar Hapi and Lawrence Yirser (now known as Yirser Ra Hotep) in 1970s Chicago. Master Yirser Ra Hotep who coined the term KEMETIC YOGA was introduced to Yoga by Dr. Asar Ha-pi. The term Kemetic Yoga refers specifically to the work performed by Dr. Asar Hapi and Yirser Ra Hotep starting in the mid-1970s to re-discover the ancient Kemetic connection with Yoga. Our research centered on the translation of certain writings and the interpretation of certain symbols that related to the philosophy and practice of Yoga. We also discovered the proper and safe way to perform the Kemetic Yoga movements, postures, and poses seen on the walls of temples, in texts, and on statues and other artifacts.
From this initial introduction Yirser has continued to develop, refine and innovate the current system which incorporates the YogaSkills Method (YSR) which includes the concept of Internal Self Regulation (ISR), Rule of Four Breathing (RFB) and Geometric Progression (GP). The Senegalese teacher Babacar Khane also contributed to the revival of Egyptian yoga during this same period, working independently on what he termed “Egyptian Yoga” while Yirser Ra Hotep developed the term “Kemetic Yoga.”
How It’s Practiced
Kemetic Yoga classes look structurally similar to other yoga forms but with distinct characteristics. Kemetic Yoga focuses on relaxation and meditation with much slower and soft-paced movements than in a standard yoga class. In this style of yoga, one enters a profoundly meditative state before beginning the physical practice. The practice emphasizes breath as the primary vehicle for moving life-force energy through the body’s energy centers.
Postures derive from specific deity representations. Ancient pyramids were studied, and the poses found in the hieroglyphics were used to develop Kemetic yoga practices. Many of the poses pre-date those used in the traditional South Asian system of poses and include poses that are now called The Wheel (a backbend), and The Lotus or Bended Knee, originally named Sesh One and Sesh Three. Practitioners hold poses with deliberate alignment and internal focus rather than pursuing muscular intensity or flexibility for its own sake.
The YogaSkills Method, developed by Yirser Ra Hotep, introduces systematic principles including the Rule of Four Breathing (a structured breathwork ratio), Geometric Progression (sequencing poses according to natural body mechanics), and Internal Self-Regulation (cultivating inner awareness to guide movement). Innovations that Master Yirser Ra Hotep has added to the practice of his system of Kemetic Yoga over the years includes flow sequences created during his numerous journeys to Egypt including Ma’at Ka, Teken Sequence, Kemetic Sun Salutation, RSWT QWED Meditation (To Be Awake While Asleep) as well as refinements to breathing and progression concepts.
Kemetic Yoga Today
Yirser Ra Hotep (also known as Elvrid Lawrence) is the most senior instructor of Kemetic yoga in the United States, with over thirty years of experience in practicing and teaching. He has now taught and certified over 5,000 teachers worldwide. In the United States, the hub for Kemetic Yoga is in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by Master Instructor Yirser Ra Hotep, YogaSkills offers everything from kemetic yoga classes to kemetic workshops and yoga teacher training programs.
Today’s seekers encounter Kemetic Yoga through certified teacher trainings, group classes in studios with African-centered wellness focuses, online instruction, and immersive retreats. Yirser Ra Hotep leads spiritual pilgrimages to Egypt where students study temple walls in situ and practice in the landscape where the postures originated. The practice has grown particularly among African Americans and members of the African diaspora seeking connection to ancestral spiritual technologies, though classes welcome practitioners of all backgrounds.
Common Misconceptions
Kemetic Yoga is sometimes misunderstood as simply rebranding Indian yoga poses with Egyptian names. In fact, the postures and philosophy derive from independent study of Egyptian temple iconography and Kemetic spiritual texts, not adaptation of Hatha yoga. While there are similarities between Kemetic and Indian yoga systems—both utilize breath, posture, and meditation to achieve higher consciousness—the source material, cultural context, and movement principles differ.
Another misconception is that all “Egyptian yoga” is the same. The term “Kemetic Yoga” specifically denotes the lineage developed by Asar Hapi and Yirser Ra Hotep beginning in the 1970s, particularly the YogaSkills Method. Other teachers offer related practices under names like “Smai Tawi” or “Egyptian Yoga,” which may share inspiration from Kemetic temple imagery but differ in methodology.
Some practitioners believe Kemetic Yoga is exclusively for people of African descent. While the practice holds particular cultural and ancestral significance for Black practitioners reclaiming African spiritual heritage, the philosophy of Ma’at (order, balance, harmony) and the techniques themselves are accessible to anyone approaching them with respect and genuine interest.
How to Begin
The most direct path into Kemetic Yoga is through certified instruction. YogaSkills (kemeticyogaskills.com) maintains directories of trained teachers and offers both in-person and online classes. Beginners should seek teachers who have completed formal certification in the YogaSkills Method or other recognized Kemetic Yoga training programs.
For self-study, Yirser Ra Hotep’s YogaSkills Kemetic Yoga Teacher Training Manual provides the foundational text for the practice. Stephanie Y. Evans’ Black Women’s Yoga History: Memoirs of Inner Peace contextualizes Kemetic Yoga within broader African-American wellness traditions. Faith Hunter’s Spiritually Fly: Wisdom, Meditation, and Yoga to Elevate the Soul explores connections between Kemetic and Indian energy systems.
Beginners should expect classes that begin with extended meditation, proceed slowly through postures with emphasis on breath coordination, and prioritize internal sensation over external form. No prior yoga experience is necessary, though patience with the contemplative pace is essential.