at Laughing River Yoga
Free and incentivized programming designed to support and sustain the health and wellness of our BIPOC community members.
The Yoga Equity Project
The Yoga Equity Project, started at Otter Creek Yoga in Middlebury, strives to extend the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of yoga and meditation to everyone by addressing the inequities that have historically kept many people from accessing yoga spaces.
The Yoga Equity Project at Laughing River Yoga is shaped by our Advisory Council and guided by our founding tenets.
1. No one is free until we are all free
The Yoga Equity Project strives to confront the disparities that exist in the community by removing the financial barriers preventing some students from participating in wellness opportunities such as yoga.
2. We believe in the power of yoga to heal
We work to create healing affinity spaces where BIPOC students can let down their hyper-vigilance. We acknowledge not everyone is treated equally and work toward repair in our community.
3. Yoga Changes the World through Transforming Individual Lives
This project invests in BIPOC students and instructors to counteract racism and honor the beauty and value of Brown and Black lives.
4. Your Essence is Unconditional Love
We strive to create a more diverse studio environment for the benefit of all.
Here's what participants are saying about the program:
"I am truly grateful for this opportunity."
"I could not have afforded it and would not have been able to go without the incentive. I can’t thank you enough."
"I’m really so floored that you are doing this-wonderful reparative action truly focused on healing!"
"I am far away from home and was starting to become depressed. The series got me through the end of the winter."
"The classes got me into the practice and saved me from a stress crisis. Sasha is an amazing guide! The regular weekly series with the same group of people allowed us to build relationships and connection."
"So appreciative of the emphasis on healing and being in community."
Weekly Drop-in Instructors
& Class Styles
BIPOC Affinity Space Class (at Chace Mill & Virtual)
Tuesdays, 5:45-7pm
***freely-offered & incentivized
January- Gentle Yoga with Carrie
February- Vinyasa with Hope
March- Restorative with Sasha
April- Vinyasa with Vanessa
May- Gentle Yoga & Pranayama with Malaika
BIPOC Affinity Space Meditations (Virtual)
February 7-28
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:30-11:45am
***freely-offered
Tuesdays- Hope
Thursdays- Malaika
All are welcome to join us for a Benefit Bake at American Flatbread in Burlington, VT on Tuesday, April 4!
A portion of every flatbread sale will go directly to the Burlington Yoga Equity Project.
.jpg)
Need a ride?
We've partnered with CarshareVT to give all Laughing River students $25 off their first ride using code LAUGHINGRIVERYOGA
BIPOC Advisory Council & Instructors
Malaika DosRemedios
Sasha Finnell
_JPG.jpg)
Vanessa Santos Eugenio
Mireya Guerra
.jpg)
Carrie Mailloux
_JPG.jpg)
Hope Elliott
Donate to support the Yoga Equity Project!
All donations are tax-deductible.
Mail us a check made out to Burlington Yoga Equity Project
Make a monthly donation with our Galactic add-on
We have raised $24,000 to date and been able to pay BIPOC yoga teachers to design and offer yoga programs for the BIPOC community including free & incentivized BIPOC Affinity Space weekly drop-in classes.
BIPOC Affinity Space Weekly Drop-In Instructors & Class Styles:
December- Vinyasa with Mireya Guerra
January- Gentle Yoga with Carrie Mailloux
Need a ride? We have partnered with Carshare VT to give our students $25 of driving credit. Use promo code: LAUGHINGRIVERYOGA.