The Yoga Diversity Initiative Has Closed Down
The Yoga Diversity Initiative (YDI) mission has been about making yoga more accessible to people of color. We have made great strides towards that goal. While working primarily with JP Centre Yoga (JPCY), we have also been involved with Akasha Yoga, Breathe for Change, the Prison Yoga Project, and Lumos. We have awarded 10 teacher training scholarships to yoga teachers of color, some who have started their own businesses and are leading racial equity work in other wellness spaces. Through this work and through workshops, social media and direct conversations, we have helped move the needle on racial equity in yoga in Boston. We have heard countless stories of people being inspired just knowing that we existed. Over the course of our work, so much has changed, including an evolution within the yoga industry. More teachers and students are coming to understand how white supremacy culture has replicated itself in the yoga industry, and are finding ways to disrupt, reimagine, and restructure.
We are especially proud of our partnership with JP Centre Yoga. In 2020, YDI shifted from running our own scholarship and mentorship program to supporting JP Centre Yoga in creating their own amazing fellowship program, which includes scholarships and mentorship for yogis who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Reflecting on what we have facilitated with JP Centre Yoga and realizing that the YDI leadership team has been expanding their roles as individuals in contributing to racial equity, we have decided to lovingly bring our organization to a close.
We will be modifying our website to become a historical reference; you can read more about our history and accomplishments here: http://www.yogadiversityinitiative.org. We will be shutting down our Facebook page, email list and email account in the near future. Visit the website to connect with someone from the former YDI leadership team.
We have such deep gratitude for the support that our community has provided these past seven years. You have inspired us endlessly. We cannot thank you enough.
In solidarity,
The YDI Leadership Team
We are especially proud of our partnership with JP Centre Yoga. In 2020, YDI shifted from running our own scholarship and mentorship program to supporting JP Centre Yoga in creating their own amazing fellowship program, which includes scholarships and mentorship for yogis who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Reflecting on what we have facilitated with JP Centre Yoga and realizing that the YDI leadership team has been expanding their roles as individuals in contributing to racial equity, we have decided to lovingly bring our organization to a close.
We will be modifying our website to become a historical reference; you can read more about our history and accomplishments here: http://www.yogadiversityinitiative.org. We will be shutting down our Facebook page, email list and email account in the near future. Visit the website to connect with someone from the former YDI leadership team.
We have such deep gratitude for the support that our community has provided these past seven years. You have inspired us endlessly. We cannot thank you enough.
In solidarity,
The YDI Leadership Team
The leadership team is continuing to do the work
Chanelle John: mentoring yoga students and newer teachers of color, hiring teachers for HSY, consulting with and teaching in studios/wellness spaces, including JPCY
Chanelle@hivesoulyoga.com
Alex Bauermeister: teaching, consulting, office hours for white people, leader in JPCY’s R.E. work, providing subsidized trauma informed trainings for BIPOC
alex@intrayogatherapy.com
Johnathon Holmes: teaching, consulting, supporting R.E. work at Boston Yoga Union, North End Yoga
jolmes11@gmail.com
All are here to consult, mentor, and continue this work collaborating with each other and other orgs and studios committed to this work.
Chanelle@hivesoulyoga.com
Alex Bauermeister: teaching, consulting, office hours for white people, leader in JPCY’s R.E. work, providing subsidized trauma informed trainings for BIPOC
alex@intrayogatherapy.com
Johnathon Holmes: teaching, consulting, supporting R.E. work at Boston Yoga Union, North End Yoga
jolmes11@gmail.com
All are here to consult, mentor, and continue this work collaborating with each other and other orgs and studios committed to this work.
