What does jumping out of planes and yoga have in common? In Robin Castro’s journey, they would both be one of the many rewarding routes that would one day play a significant role in her life. As a little girl from Silver Spring, Maryland if Castro could take a look into the future, she would see a woman that many could refer to as “superwoman.”

 From Army hats to yoga mats, Castro has inspired many throughout her journey as a certified yoga teacher, group fitness instructor, bodybuilding judge, personal trainer, exercise physiologist, PE teacher at Mercer University, and a United States Army Airborne Officer veteran. 

Castro came to Georgia while serving in the military and moved to the historic city of Macon, Georgia also known as “The Cherry Blossom Capital” in 1994 after her time in the Army. Little did she know, her full-time commitment to fitness would soon change the lives of people of all ages. “I have served populations from age eight to 80,” Castro said. Castro has spent the past 30 years of her life teaching what she refers to as “just about everything under the sun.” But, as she ages there is one form of exercise Castro has never had to give up, yoga. 

“I was dragged to my first yoga class over 20 years [ago], practically kicking and screaming, I thought yoga would be boring, too slow, and not intense enough for me,” Castro said, as she was introduced to the ancient practice. Despite her doubts and hesitation, Castro claimed she was hooked instantly and soon obtained her certification to teach Yoga. “Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know,” Castro said.

With a Master’s in social work and mental health, Castro uses a holistic approach that takes into account both mental and physical health. While it’s no secret that some mental health issues can be linked to stress, “things like yoga certainly help, I do yoga myself,” Dr. Chester Fontenot, Mercer University Professor of English and Director of Africana Studies, proudly states. Fontenot practices yoga in the same center Castro teaches and he observes the impact it has on his peers. “There are a lot of people that I’ve met in my yoga classes whose doctors prescribed them yoga,” Fontenot said. In Castro’s personal experiences, she says yoga has helped her with balance, energy levels, and stress reduction. She says it has also made her more aware of her overall mindfulness.

Topics such as mental health and practicing yoga are often seen as “taboo” in minority communities, especially the African American community. “There is not a lot of discussion in Black families and Black communities about mental health,” Fontenot said. He suggests that, historically, this idea stems from faith and the distrust between African American individuals and white psychologists. However, he believes that the younger generations are beginning to shine light on the issues of mental health. 

Destiny Strickland, a student, suggests that Black individuals don’t feel as though they have a safe space to discuss issues regarding mental health. “People feel reserved to talk about it,” Strickland said. Like Fontenot, Castro also believes this is an issue that is beginning to be discussed more and she says, “It’s much more detrimental to suffer in silence than to reach out and ask for help.” 

Whether you’re jumping out of planes in the Army or laying down a yoga mat to begin your journey of well-deserved peace, let Robin Castro and her journey prove that there is no limit on the things one can accomplish in their lifetime. 

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