VOLUNTEER BASED 

CYC’s affordable yoga teacher training and free yoga education and practice opportunities are made possible through the generosity and commitment of this dedicated team of volunteers. These individuals - many of whom are long-time yoga facilitators and practitioners - contribute their time, energy, and expertise without receiving any monetary compensation. Their efforts are driven by a shared belief in the power of yoga to heal, empower, and transform lives, and a collective commitment to making this practice accessible to all.

Volunteers support every aspect of CYC offerings, including:

• Facilitating free yoga courses, retreats, and practice opportunities

• Facilitating and assisting with affordable yoga teacher training

• Offering mentorship to yoga teacher trainees and new facilitators

• Helping with program coordination and outreach

• Caring for and managing space setup, logistics, and communication

• Co-creating conscious community where folks feel welcome and a real sense of belonging

Each volunteer embodies the spirit of seva - selfless service - offering immense love, commitment, and a reimagining of what a wellness and yoga space can be. The have a deep trust in community, commitment to equity, and a genuine understanding of the roots of yoga, where the practice was shared freely, as a way of life, not a product.

This volunteer-driven model reflects the communal, grassroots nature of CYC’s vision. It allows us to maintain integrity in CYC’s mission while keeping financial barriers low. More importantly, it builds a culture of care and mutual support, where the practice of yoga extends beyond individual transformation and into collective responsibility.

STEWARDS OF YOGA 

Inga Buchbinder, Allison Hagen Kennedy, Tobias Moyneur, Cherie Robinson, and Kristin Varner serve as the Board of Directors of Community Yoga Center, providing guidance and direction for the yoga teacher trainings, courses, and daily practice opportunities. They consider themselves stewards of yoga guided by a love ethic and who related to each other as anam cara. They recognize the grace that yoga is and try their best to share yoga wisely and respectfully for the benefit of all. They acknowledge their limits in understanding and, because the profundity of yoga itself is hard to fathom, they ask for tolerance in any mistakes they make when sharing yoga. Having experienced how yoga perpetually cares for them, Inga, Allison, Tobias, Cherie, and Kristin hope to care for yoga like parents entrusted with a child, nurturing it with love, benevolence, and commitment.

They wish for their practice and sharing of yoga to benefit everyone and everything. They are guided by what bell hooks describes as a love ethic - heart values that embrace all the dimensions of love - including kindness, compassion, joy, and trust. They do this by practicing a fierce kind of awareness, honesty, and love. They practice courageously opening toward the insecurities and uncertainties of life - into the great mystery of life’s infinite unfolding - and offering care to all parts of life - the pleasant and unpleasant - the blessings and sorrows - the joys and sufferings. They value collaboration over competition and welcome folks to “come as they are.”

In his book of the same title John O’Donohue describes anam cara as “a loved one who awakens your life in order to free the possibilities within you,” - a sacred friend who is “the truest mirror to reflect your soul.” Inga, Allison, Tobias, Cherie, and Kristin consider each other anam cara - soul friends who share great affection and respect for each other, consistently relating with truth and tenderness. They appreciate being a significant part of each other’s life stories.

INGA BUCHBINDER

A radical voice, Inga speaks truth to power with the rawness of a brilliant badass. Her fierce honesty and compassionate heart make her a trusted friend. She’ll shine an intuitive light into your life, illuminating “what is” and igniting what binds you.

ALLISON HAGEN KENNEDY

Embodying the essence of Mother Nature, Allison is grounded in wild creativity. She has a patient and tender way of feeling into what’s most needed to nurture life. With a sense of fun and adventure, she’ll show you how to look fear in the eye and give it a hug. 

CHERIE ROBINSON

Like sunshine, Cherie radiates the warmth of love and light of wisdom. Her elegance and deep appreciation for life is contagious as she spreads joy like glitter in wind. She’ll inspire you to repel ignorance with ease and live intentionally with grace and gratitude.

TOBIAS MOYNEUR

Leaping tall mountains with a single bound, Toby is a real-life superhero. His open heart and true grit make the world a better place. With great integrity and courage, he’ll challenge you to do what scares you and celebrate the freedom you feel after doing it.

KRISTIN VARNER

Kristin likes connecting with others almost as much as she likes yoga. Forever following her heart, she’s committed to touching the depths of truth and love with unwavering resolve. She’ll take you with her if you’re willing.