Green fashion. Green cosmetics. Green architecture. Green conferences. Lately, it’s hard to go through a day without encountering something “green”. The term is hot and all-pervasive throughout mainstream media. So it’s about time we formally added yoga to the growing list of all things green. The word yoga means “yoke” or “union”. It’s a natural extension, then, that the practice of yoga teaches us to reconnect to the world around us.

And no one takes this connection more seriously than the Green Yoga Association.

Based in Oakland, the Green Yoga Association was founded in 2004 by Laura Cornell, a Kripalu Yoga teacher who recently completed her doctoral dissertation on yoga and ecology. The association works across the nation to explore the green roots of yoga and spread an attitude of tenderness and stewardship among yoga practitioners toward the planet. Green Yoga’s motto is to “practice lightly on the earth”. Its mission is to foster ecological consciousness, reverence and action in the yoga community.

In pursuit of this mission, Green Yoga determined that an ideal way to raise ecological awareness was to start at the grassroots level, through the studios where people gather to practice yoga. The innovative Green Studios Program, launched in 2005, provides structure, support and resources for studio owners and teachers striving to practice green yoga in their business, as well as spread the word throughout the community. Studio owners meet via conference call each month to share ideas and resources, and to hear presentations on different aspects of greening a studio. Topics have included eliminating toxins in the studio, reducing use of paper, energy and water and greening retail stores. Participating studio owners have also brainstormed topics such as creating green yoga workshops and discussion groups, educating students about green practices and partnering with environmental organizations.

The Green Studios Program currently is in its “pilot” phase. An impressive 22 studios from around the country just completed Phase One of the pilot, including three studios in San Francisco: Greenpath Yoga, Studio Satori Yoga Studio and Yoga Tree.

“At Yoga Tree, we encourage students to join the Green Yoga Association,” explains Kara Elder, former director of public relations for Yoga Tree. “The bottom line is yoga students are naturals for wanting to open their hearts and to raise awareness.”

Toi Lynn Wyle, owner of World Yoga Healing Arts Center in Walnut Creek, says, “I love how students are taking this in and making changes in their lives at other levels, too. Love the earth, love others and love ourselves. The circle of yoga expands. Getting that yoga is union in one aspect sparks that desire to practice yoga/union in other areas.” Toi Lynn was so inspired by Phase One that she is now volunteering to co-facilitate a group of studios participating in Phase Two.

Phase Two involves 28 studios, including seven in the Bay Area:
Yoga Sangha - San Francisco
Yoga Loft – San Francisco
Downward Dog Yoga - Pacifica
Bernal Yoga - San Francisco
International Orange Spa Yoga Lounge - San Francisco
Studio Rasa - Berkeley
Mountain Yoga - Oakland
The Green Yoga Association is now accepting applications for Phase Three of the Pilot Program. Its goal is for 100 studios to participate in the “pilot” phase before the Green Studios Program is released to the public. So, whether you’re a budding yoga student looking for a green place to practice or a studio owner wanting to join the flourishing community of green yoga businesses, Green Yoga is the definitive place to start. And, winter is a wonderful season to turn your yoga green!
greenyoga.org