“TRUE COMMUNITY IS BASED ON EQUALITY, MUTUALITY, AND RECIPROCITY. IT AFFIRMS THE RICHNESS OF INDIVIDUAL DIVERSITY AS WELL AS THE COMMON HUMAN TIES THAT BIND US TOGETHER.”
FOR NEARLY SEVEN YEARS, WE’VE OFFERED FREE YOGA IN COMMUNITY, WELCOMING FOLKS OF DIVERSE FAITHS, CULTURES, AGES, GENDERS, PHYSICAL ABILITIES, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO THE PRACTICE OF YOGA.
Community Yoga Initiative is a grassroots, volunteer-driven wellness movement dedicated to improving the physical, mental, and emotional health of human beings through the practice of yoga. In 2024, initiative volunteers offered over 500 free and inclusive opportunities to practice yoga in commUNITY. These free yoga offerings help a growing number of people access the therapeutic and self-revelatory benefits of yoga - allowing people to experience how yoga strengthens, stretches, and destresses the body; soothes, relaxes, and decompresses the mind; and opens the heart.
These yoga offerings also contribute to the creation of conscious community and recognition of the truth of interconnectedness. Initiative volunteers are known for nurturing inclusive community and co-creating space for connection and refuge by emphasizing collective collaboration, where everyone is an important part of the group yoga experience. The volunteers honor the infinite aspects of individuality and welcome all bodies, backgrounds, traditions, and situations. They adapt yoga practices to meet individual needs and encourage personal responsibility and intuitive direction.
All these yoga offerings are provided solely through voluntary giving - at no cost to participants. The giving of many is what allows the practice opportunities to be offered so freely. In giving, we loosen the grip of our greatest source of suffering - self-absorption. We expand our hearts in a way that recognizes we are not actually separate from others. Giving is a letting go of a sense of separateness that’s based in ignorance. When we practice giving, we feel into how we all depend on one another - how we are all part of the whole. In this way, giving is the natural response of the awakened heart.
We ARE COMMITTED TO EXPANDING YOGA ACCESS AND INCLUSIVITY, CHALLENGING DELUDED CONCEPTS ABOUT WHAT YOGA IS AND DOES, AND SHARING YOGA IN WAYS THAT HONOR THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL.
IT STARTED WITH FIVE YOGIS
Five yogis who loved practicing yoga together and sharing yoga with others started the initiative in March of 2018. Andrea Brown, Inga Buchbinder, Crystal Coleman, Cherie Robinson, and Kristin Varner appreciated how practicing yoga together in community nurtured a sense of belonging and connectedness to something greater than the boundaries of their separate selves. They hoped through their sharing of yoga others might also feel a sense of belonging in community and more intimately connected to the grace of life itself - by feeling into it with awareness, honesty, and love.
THE LEGACY CONTINUES
Nearly seven years later, this effort is now sustained by a growing group of incredible yogis who practice and share yoga from the heart - in ways that allow others to feel more alive to life - more in synch with the flow and wholeness of life - and more connected to what’s most meaningful to them.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
You’re invited to join us in community yoga practice and discover for yourself how yoga is one thing that can change everything. Come and experience the therapeutic and self-revelatory benefits of yoga - FOR FREE. Feel for yourself how yoga strengthens, stretches, and destresses the body; soothes, relaxes, and decompresses the mind; and opens the heart. We welcome you to practice with us in commUNITY.
HOW FOLKS FEEL ABOUT COMMUNITY YOGA INITIATIVE
“A yoga experience like no other. The most welcoming, knowledgeable, and heart-centered facilitators in the IE. THis community of amazing people is a once in a lifetime connection. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Practice and share yoga in community with us.”
“By far my favorite place to practice, so full of love and acceptance. Another home away from home for me.”
“Incredible group of people that seamlessly create awesome experiences to learn and explore yoga. If you’re looking for a genuine, welcoming, and comforting environment I would 10/10 recommend any class they offer if you have the opportunity.”
“Here is a yoga experience unlike any other! In all my years of practicing yoga, I’ve never had such a genuinely loving place to return to. Coming here truly feels like coming home. All are welcome, and all classes are completely free! come for the yoga, stay for community. ”