Community Investment
To make this next evolutionary advancement in the field of yoga, it’s imperative that we create and share resources to create more accessibility and equity in the field.
The idea that yoga in the West is primarily for white, affluent, flexible women is a trope of this powerful method for peace and wellbeing being commercialized in recent decades. Yoga Unify is committed to serving both the yoga professional and yoga student, regardless of background or experience. We do this so we may culturally advance the practice so it may become widespread while ensuring the best quality transmission of the teachings, record of the tradition, and evolution of how we share.
Investing in the community allows us to steward systemic change so that we all may pivot during this time of great transformation. We can cultivate a community that embraces all in the practice of yoga, innovates new ways of sharing, and tends to the roots of the practice. Building this will not only have the lasting impact of expanding the reach of yoga’s benefits for all, but will support the community in navigating these changes.
Yoga Unify has committed to channeling the majority of revenue beyond administrative expenses to this mission.*
The Governing Council on Community Investment is setting year one strategic initiatives, as you read this. Half of all grant funding will steward the systemic changes our community is calling out for. These initiatives will provide cultural collective support for all the ways that yoga can serve outside of the contemporary studio and teacher training model. Time to innovate.
*Until we reach this revenue goal Yoga Unify commits to 10% of all incoming membership revenue being set aside for scholarships and grants.
I do feel that the yoga community has hit a crisis point that calls for change. I am hopeful that an organization like Yoga Unify that democratizes and organizes the yoga community can create equity in professional opportunities and makes the healing power of yoga more accessible. I love the dual mission of honoring tradition and stewarding growth. It is a recognition that honors the cultural traditions of yoga past and present while remaining forward looking.
– Greg Nardi
Scholarships
Are you a yoga student who would love to deepen your practice but most courses are not within your financial reach? Are you a yoga teacher who would like to continue your training? As you take the steps to mark the milestones on your practitioner pathway, or reach another level of Qualification with Yoga Unify, know that your continued education is important to us. Any courses in the Yoga U Catalog are eligible for scholarships. There are a limited number of Founding Circle Membership Scholarships available now. CONTACT US
Grants
Professionally Qualified YŪ members are invited to apply for grant money for projects, initiatives, and activities that serve to preserve the tradition and/or steward the forward evolution of yoga. Providing grants that fund research studies, translations, creations, expanding access to yoga, and more serves to uplevel the professiona and the field. The Governing Council on Community Investment will set strategic initiatives annually that 50% of grant funding will go toward in order to steward systemic changes industry wide.
Chapters
Our Member services include the support and resources to create regional or lineage- based chapters: “Austin, TX” or “Kirtan Artists”, for example. We imagine providing professional and community resources to chapters, including helping develop leadership, mentors, and annual convention representatives.