“Love is the whole thing. We are the pieces.”
Community Yoga Center’s Board of Directors at the 2024 graduation ceremony. Back row left to right: Kristin Varner, Cherie Robinson, Allison Hagen Kennedy, Inga Buchbinder. Front row: Tobias Moyneur.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our community-centered Board of Directors provides guidance and direction for the yoga offerings at Community Yoga Center. Inga Buchbinder, Allison Hagen Kennedy, Tobias Moyneur, Cherie Robinson, and Kristin Varner consider themselves stewards of yoga who are guided by a love ethic and anam cara to each other.
STEWARDS OF YOGA
They recognize the grace that yoga is and try their best to share yoga wisely and respectfully for the benefit of all. They recognize 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 then, the Board of Directors hopes 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.
GUIDED BY A LOVE ETHIC
The Board of Directors is 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.”
ANAM CARA
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.” The Board of Directors 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 values connecting with others almost as much as she values yoga. Forever following her heart, she’s committed to exploring the depths of truth and love with unwavering resolve. She’ll take you with her if you’re willing.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Five committees provide vital organizational support to Community Yoga Center. While these committees benefit the community by playing a crucial role in the processes and practices at the yoga center, the volunteer offerings given through the committee organization are examples of open-hearted generosity and service.
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Co-facilitated by _________________ the House Committee is comprised of the following teams that clean and and care for the yoga center space: (i) cleaning team, (ii) plant care team, (iii) practice support team, and (iv) bathroom paper products team.
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
Co-facilitated by _________________ the Hospitality Committee is comprised of the following teams that provide hospitality service at the yoga center: (i) water team, (ii) beverage and snack team, (iii) dinner service team, and (iv) picnic paper products team.
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
Co-facilitated by _________________ the Activities Committee is comprised of the following teams that organize activities at the yoga center: (i) calendar team, and (ii) fun events team.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Co-facilitated by _________________ the Outreach Committee is comprised of the following teams that organize communication and community outreach for the yoga center: (i) e-mail team, (ii) flyer team, (iii) newsletter team, and (iv) social media team.
SPECIAL PROJECTS COMMITTEE
Co-facilitated by _________________ the Special Projects Committee is comprised of the following teams that facilitate special projects for the yoga center: (i) library team.