On the evening of April 22, 2020, people gathered in front of their computers for something the first weeks of the pandemic had made suddenly precious: community connection. That night, we came together to breathe, move, and feel some measure of togetherness in a time defined by uncertainty and isolation.

Then the haters arrived. Loud music shook our speakers. Racist and sexist slurs cut through the noise. Pornographic images flooded our screens. Hundreds of people stormed a gathering that, moments earlier, had offered refuge.

Then came the question.

“What are you going to do, Mrs. Varner?”

The Portable Peace Project is an offering rooted in the practice of Karma Yoga - the yoga of selfless service. Created by the students of the 2026 Yoga Teacher Training cohort at Community Yoga Center, this project reflects a shared intention to live yoga beyond the mat through compassionate action.

In the yogic tradition, even the smallest acts, when offered with sincerity, awareness, and love, can become sacred expressions of connection. Through this service project, the students sought to embody these teachings not only through personal practice, but through offerings designed to nurture the well-being of those who continually care for others.