Published on June 6, 2026 at 03:03 AM
I’m standing on my yoga mat in Warrior 2 with Prince’s song “Let’s Go Crazy” blaring in the background. I also play air guitar. Not because I’m bored or rebellious. Because the teacher pays attention to that.
He is also experimenting with this. Not in a faint, rigid, trembling forearm riff. It’s a dynamic, arm-sweeping air guitar that verges on performance art. The unique scene unfolds in the “Prince’s Practice” led by a yoga teacher Reggie Hubbard. While the concept of single-artist playlists isn’t new (we’ve all seen yoga classes dedicated to Britney Spears and Tay Tay), Hubbard’s approach is…different.
It’s a defiant vibe that’s equal parts celebration and a constant monologue from Hubbard as he encourages everyone when they’re feeling intuitively moving, shares little-known insights about Prince, and belts out choice words. He is somehow able to border between reverence and disdain at the same time.
Hubbard, a former political activist, began practicing yoga as an outlet for his anger at societal inequality. “It turned into something that took a deep breath and gave me clarity and empathy,” he explains. Yoga taught him the ability to turn towards and address whatever he wanted to escape or be angry about in life. In his words, “I was like, ‘Wow! “”
After yoga teacher training, Hubbard was asked to teach his first online class during the pandemic. The date happened to coincide with the late music icon’s birthday, so Hubbard designed it accordingly.
“That first class had 120 people,” Hubbard said, still skeptical that those in attendance included Prince’s nephew, President Leonard Nelson. “We were all jamming and people were throwing headcanons in their living rooms. It was crazy. I was like, ‘What did we just unleash on the universe?!'”
Thus began the prince’s practice.
Each year, lessons begin on April 21, the date of the artist known as Prince’s transition in 2016, and extend until June 7, his date of birth. Some classes are online. Others personally. All are designed as a self-liberation exercise.
Hubbard Prince is a symbol of active, peaceful protest. When Hubbard later founded an organization to make yoga “more accessible, regardless of race, gender, body type or level of practice,” he called it “Yoga.” Active peace yoga. Through the organization, Hubbard aims to continue Prince’s work toward “collective liberation and consciousness.” Her classes connect people across diverse “ages, skin colors and bank accounts.” Dance is commonly incorporated into his classes, which he sees as a form of “black joy” and “disturbing systems of oppression.” The organization also supports Black males through retreats that support learning how to overcome anger and find relief. He considers Prince one of the saints of active peace yoga.
“Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is have a good time in the community,” is a phrase Hubbard repeats often. “It’s all about helping you feel more aligned in body, mind and spirit.”
Prince practice experience
So, what’s it like to experience yoga in front of Prince?
There are sparkling interludes and dance breaks. Kneeling wild things and dynamic goddesses. Students sway and practice impromptu side plank. Proposal to imitate the prince in Video “When Pigeons Cry”. He crawls out of the tub and advises singing the words if you know them.
Hatha style poses are used rather than the fast pace of vinyasa. There’s plenty of time to find a version of the look that suits you. Hubbard suggests specific poses, such as seated stretches, standing backbends, arm balances, and overhead planks, though there are always encouraging words about the poses. “Find a meaningful position for your body, whatever that is smart,” and “whatever you need.” The whole time, Hubbard was there, making shapes, clapping and occasionally shouting “Freedom” and “Peace” in time to the soundtrack, sweeping his purple cape out of the way as needed. I find myself constantly looking at it for pose inspiration and mentally taking notes to try different transitions next time I’m teaching.
There are expected and unexpected yoga teachings.
“Build some heat. Start a fire with all the things that no longer serve us.”
“Arms in the air, wave ’em like you don’t care.”
“Notice how you feel your energy from the top of your head down.”
“Be brilliant.”
“Don’t make an effort if you don’t want to, but do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And do it in a fun way.”
“Shaking your asana is a spiritual practice.”
“Move your hips in a rude, nasty little way.”
“Power. Liberation. Ease.” (Said as the song ends with arms outstretched and facing upwards.)
After years of teaching, Hubbard is well-versed in coaxing people out of their self-imposed boxes. He achieves this in part by example. He constantly sets the mood by demonstrating poses, jamming, shaking his hips, playing his belly like a bongo drum, and chanting lyrics like a mantra.
Throughout the class, there is an integration of dance and yoga. “We don’t move that way in our daily lives,” Hubbard says. “And that’s a problem.”
When the initial notes of “1999” come on, he warns that it’s the last upbeat song. “Do what you need to do,” he warns before practicing the reverse warrior, extended side angle, wide-legged bend, and dancer’s curl. With the advent of ‘seven’, Hubbard suggests that this is a good time to settle down if there is a desire to extend Savasana. He turns off the lights, sits down, then goes silent for 12 minutes or so, with the class ending on the final note of “Purple Rain.”
Why does dancing during yoga for the prince matter?
Hubbard understands the seriousness, too. Respecting the lineage of yoga, he considers his role to be that of translator. “As a teacher, you have to study the era. If I am trying to teach you philosophical principles so that you have a clear mind and connection to purpose, then Upanishads “It may mean nothing to you,” he explains. “We have to offer tools to those in our path to help them navigate life with more grace, peace, ease, and clarity. And my path is wild.”
Wild, yes. Although it is an approach based on the wisdom of ancient traditions and what has been promoted recently Contemporary science Like the power of physical release. Underlying all of this are the familiar forms and different therapies of intuitive movement, body awareness, breath, presence, non-judgment, community, and self-liberation. Everything is yoga.
“It’s basically about having fun, whatever that means to you,” he says after the lesson. “Just be free. We live in very dangerous times. For people to experience joy in times of terror, that is the radical generosity I seek to practice.”
For more information about Prince’s practice, follow Reggie Hubbard and Active peace yoga.
