What we’re about
# FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS, WE’VE OFFERED NO-COST YOGA IN COMMUNITY FOR EVERY BODY.
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 2023, initiative volunteers offered over 500 free and inclusive opportunities to practice yoga in commUNITY.
All these yoga offerings are open to everyBODY - folks of all faiths, cultures, ages, genders, physical abilities, and financial resources. 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.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- ANANDA YOGA FESTIVALWhite Park, Riverside, CA
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO ANANDA YOGA FESTIVAL!
COME AND JOIN THE FUN THIS SATURDAY AT WHITE PARK IN DOWNTOWN RIVERSIDE!
Ananda Yoga Festival returns to Riverside’s White Park for a day of movement, music, and mindfulness the whole family can enjoy. On Saturday, May 17th from 9am to 6pm White Park will come alive with celebration, connection, and commUNITY, as the Ananda Yoga Festival welcomes wellness seekers to experience yoga the way it is meant to be - accessible, heart-centered, and healing. Whether you’re a long-time practitioner or brand new to yoga, Ananda invites you to breathe deeply, move freely, and connect with a supportive community.
In keeping with the festival’s mission to make wellness truly accessible, a portion of the festival is open to the public and entirely free to attend. CommUNITY Village is a vibrant zone within the park where everyone - ticket holder or not - can gather, explore, and connect. Visitors can browse a diverse exhibitor experience including artisans creators, wellness providers, and community resources. It’s a space to be inspired and feel supported.
Festival highlights also include:
Over 25 yoga offerings spread throughout the lush, tree-lined park
“Little Yogis Zone” with interactive music, movement, and mindfulness for children
A keynote address by Bill Brown, renowned social justice advocate with the Prison Yoga Project
Community kirtan featuring an all-star lineup of musicians
Opportunities to experience the true essence of yoga - connection, not perfectionWhether you’re coming to stretch, dance, meditate, or simply enjoy the good vibes, Ananda promises a heart-opening day under the sun. The event welcomes all bodies and abilities, and is rooted in the vision of a more compassionate, connected world.
Reserve your ticket now to join the fun!
www.anandayogafestival.com - New Skool Ashtanga with KristinCommunity Yoga Center, Riverside, CA
I'm so happy for the opportunity to share new skool ashtanga at Community Yoga Center on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons! This offering has been a couple years in the making and a result of me really letting go of resistance to sharing ashtanga outside of a "community led" paradigm.
I appreciate the encouragement I've received from the community to share ashtanga in this way and I'm grateful for Scott Miller and Marlene Schwartz who've taught me so much about the ashtanga practice and who I continue to learn from. THANK YOU!
New skool ashtanga is not your 90’s ashtanga. Poses are not “earned.” Practitioners are not “held back.” Obedience to an “ideal” is not rewarded. Perfectionism is recognized for what it is - a construct that kills creativity and love.
New skool ashtanga values the genius of primary series ashtanga poses, sequencing, and intentionality of breath - without the old school asana fundamentalism that fuels insidious competition around physical abilities and perpetuates shame when dictated expectations are not met. New skool ashtanga emphasizes the joy of practice - the creativity, love, and self-realization that’s cultivated in an atmosphere of infinite possibilities.
New skool ashtanga emphasizes subtle energy experiencing not only by linking ujjayi breath with a dynamic sequence of asanas, but also through pranayama interludes that punctuate parts of the practice. New skool ashtanga follows the same sequence of postures practiced in primary series ashtanga - about 75 incredible poses that are repeated during every practice session - with a few additions and modifications - including back-bending postures that balance the forward-folding bias of primary series ashtanga.
No experience is necessary and there is never a cost. EveryBODY is welcome.
Please consider practicing new skool ashtanga with me on Sunday mornings and Thursday afternoons. It's a great joy for me to share yoga in this way. -Kristin
WE ARE BUILT ON GIVINGOur practice opportunities are provided solely through voluntary giving. The giving of many is what allows the practice opportunities to be offered so freely. Anyone who’s experienced benefit from our offerings is invited to give for the benefit of others.
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.
You’re invited to give according to your volition and means - in whatever ways resonate with you. You might like to make monetary donations, contribute to our collective resources, or dedicate your time and skill to assist the community.You may use this link if you’d like to make a donation.
https://communityyogacenter.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=64edff1e1d03bf14149cc0a7 - New Skool Ashtanga with ScottCommunity Yoga Center, Riverside, CA
YOU'RE INVITED TO PRACTICE NEW SKOOL ASHTANGA WITH SCOTT AT COMMUNITY YOGA CENTER!
SENSITIZE TO SUBTLE ENERGY
New skool ashtanga is not your 90’s ashtanga. Poses are not “earned.” Practitioners are not “held back.” Obedience to an “ideal” is not rewarded. Perfectionism is recognized for what it is - a construct that kills creativity and love.
New skool ashtanga values the genius of primary series ashtanga poses, sequencing, and intentionality of breath - without the old school asana fundamentalism that fuels insidious competition around physical abilities and perpetuates shame when dictated expectations are not met. New skool ashtanga emphasizes the joy of practice - the creativity, love, and self-realization that’s cultivated in an atmosphere of infinite possibilities.
New skool ashtanga emphasizes subtle energy experiencing not only by linking ujjayi breath with a dynamic sequence of asanas, but also through pranayama interludes that punctuate parts of the practice. New skool ashtanga follows the same sequence of postures practiced in primary series ashtanga - about 75 incredible poses that are repeated during every practice session - with a few additions and modifications - including back-bending postures that balance the forward-folding bias of primary series ashtanga.
No experience is necessary and there is never a cost. EveryBODY is welcome.
Please consider practicing new skool ashtanga with Scott!
WE ARE BUILT ON GIVING
Our practice opportunities are provided solely through voluntary giving. The giving of many is what allows the practice opportunities to be offered so freely. Anyone who’s experienced benefit from our offerings is invited to give for the benefit of others.
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.
You’re invited to give according to your volition and means - in whatever ways resonate with you. You might like to make monetary donations, contribute to our collective resources, or dedicate your time and skill to assist the community.
You may use this link if you’d like to make a donation.
https://communityyogacenter.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=64edff1e1d03bf14149cc0a7
