By T’Reyah Johnson
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
What was once just an old studio back in 2007 is now considered a yoga village with planned events, workshops and various courses to attract everyone in the community.
Baltimore Yoga Village (BYV) opened with the purpose of making a difference in people’s lives and to create a safe place for the community.
“One thing that I love about BYV is that it’s not about fitness or looking a certain way,” said manager Tonika Garibaldi. “It’s about helping everybody, supporting everybody, and just creating a special place for everybody.”
The motto? “Yoga for Every Body.”
Bordering Remington and Hampden neighborhoods on Chestnut Avenue is where the first studio opened with a village concept, complete with planned events, workshops, and various courses to draw people into the area.
In 2009, the owners decided to expand the village, opening a location in Mt. Washington and Maryland at the Lake Falls Village Center. The idea was to bring these two distinct neighborhoods together, said Garibaldi. Although in separate locations, the village concept encourages people who share a love for learning how to take care of themselves and others. Also, customers meet others in their community.
“I’ve been a member for two months and the experience here is like no other,” said Carmen Zuniga. “I used to go to Core Power [but] I like how BYV is very into yoga. From their words to their positions, they are very focused on yoga instead of working out.”
Yoga Village customers pay $15 for a 1.5-hour drop-in class, $70 for five classes, $125 for 10 classes and $250 for 25 classes. Over the years, owners began to offer more than yoga for adults. There are classes for all ages, including yoga for anxiety and depression, Kundalini, Yoga for arthritis, Nia dance, Qigong, Meditation, Breath work, Prenatal Yoga and more.
The business also offers training for each teacher throughout the year, and focus on specialties such as anatomy, hatha yoga and trauma. The training is both comprehensive and experiential, said Garibaldi. For example, some of the teachers are interested in studying the essence of classical yoga practices, theories, and roots. Mentorships also are available for those interested in teaching, she said.
Deborah Quirk said she’s been teaching since 1999 before the village concept.
“It’s not about wanting to be better than the person on the matt next to me,” said Quirk about the yoga, ”but people are encouraged to take care of themselves, just practice at your own pace.”
A new program offered by Yoga Village is a free event taught by BYV teachers in neighborhood libraries. Offering this service are libraries in Brooklyn, Canton, Cherry Hill, Herrington, North Wood, and Reisterstown, as well as at the Central Library. Besides attracting teachers of color, officials said men also are being recruited.
Special events run the gamut. “Sweet surrender” runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18. Another event, “Morning Mindfulness with Tibetan Monks” is scheduled for Dec. 10 – Dec. 13.
“Baltimore Yoga Village is a community where you rekindle friendships, create friendships, and can find or recreate yourself,” Zuniga said.