Asheville Community Yoga

I have so many good things to say about Asheville Community Yoga that it is difficult to summarize here in a review. This time last year I was unwell...physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I knew I needed to do something transformative. I chose to do the Yoga Teacher Training at Asheville Community Yoga. The experience of this training was truly transformative and healing in greater ways that I could have ever imagined. I learned a lot about the teachers of the training and the way this yoga center runs , and learned they truly implement their ethics in action, including financially. I am truly impressed. I stand by Asheville Community Yoga whole heartedly. I continue to be impressed with the yoga classes offered, the staff, the teachers, the commitment of the volunteers, the clear energy of the space, the cleanliness, and the accessibility. Asheville Community Yoga is walking the talk and doing the work to ensure yoga is accessible and the space is welcoming to all. Asheville Community Yoga helped improve my life and make me a better person, and I see the way it is doing this on a community level. A full circle of abundance of divine energy flow through teachings and practice of yoga. I'm forever grateful.

I used to really love this place and considered it to be my “church” but the fact that you need a vaccination and not proof of negative test results for covid is quite baffling; since you are still able to pass covid from one individual to another, even with being vaccinated. What a shame..

Tomorrow, for the first time in two years, I will not be going to teach yoga at ACY. While I still feel loyal to the studio where I trained, I have a higher sense of loyalty to my fellow POC & queer folx, and I would be remiss to remain silent and not warn you that many of us have been injured and made to feel unappreciated and unsafe at ACY. There have been numerous incidents but, what’s worse, a repeated choice to keep these episodes unaddressed and hidden. ACY says they want to “create healing” but are unable or unwilling to say how or when. Whenever I’ve asked why they can’t acknowledge they’ve made a mistake, apologize, and pledge to learn and be better, I have not gotten an answer. I hope that at some point they really do take steps toward growth. I’ll be watching. But I cannot stay in this toxic environment, much less be a part of it, or even have my name associated with it, until I see some earnest efforts to make changes and achieve true inclusivity –perhaps even adding it to their Mission Statement! I do think there is some beauty at ACY —despite its narcissistic leader, not because of him. I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for there, including a sense of safety and belonging. But if you’d like an alternative for pay-what-you-can yoga, look me up. I’ll give you a private class. With respect and love,Dr. Michelle Álvarez,Psychologist, Anti-oppression Educator, Yoga Instructor.I provide therapy, TALKyoga (integration of therapy+yoga), & anti-oppression trainings.To ALL people ages 0 to 124

I watched the community around this studio build itself through critical years and was part of assisting with karma projects early on. Jodie...Michael...sweet, sweet Wendy...whoever is reading this, please don't give me the same copy-and-pasted response as all of these other people who have tried to raise genuine concerns about your studio.Your current policies are a tremendous misstep and will be looked back upon as such in the years to come. Discrimination based off of your current under-informed position is erroneous at best. Of all organizations, I figured you'd be one to shine a light through this madness - looking at global trends and not living in the echo chamber of an elitist United States - before enforcing deeply politicized regulations that impact your community on such a scale.This is appalling, yet it provides even more of a push for all of us to dive into our own practice. Thanks for your role in this <3 Namaste away from Asheville Community Yoga

I don’t want to say anything bad about this place because I have not been but I don’t know where else to put this comment. I want to go so badly but the proof of vaccination stuff has to end… please. Me and a friend were very interested in attending some classes but we’re so disappointed that we need vax proof. Honestly this is ridiculous and disgusting. A few months go by and I check again now to find they STILL require it even though everywhere has moved away from this and masks at this point.

And before you respond with, "It looks as though you have yet to attend a class at our studio. Have you been here before?" Yes, I have been there before. I have taken a couple of yoga classes there. I have shopped at the "Zen and Now" clothing shop. I have had food at the Karma Cafe when it was open. I have sat outside at the little pond with the fountain. And as much as I like the atmosphere for your yoga studio, I have to leave a one star review on the fact that you will not let people who have not been vaccinated attend classes. Despite having medical exemptions due to current medical conditions that would increase the likelihood of adverse reaction to the vaccine. Those who have religious exemption. And to not even consider those who have antibodies from natural immunity (which has proven more protective than the vaccine.) Because of this discrimination, I will no longer come here for yoga classes. If you are going to respond with the same thing you write to everyone else - that your records don't show the reviewer has been there, I will be happy to call, give you my name, phone number and email that I registered with for classes. You might not find my email, because I unsubscribed from your newsletter when I found out unvaccinated people were not allowed. Sad. Sad. Sad. Such discrimination takes place in a facility that is supposedly promoting unity, well-being and equality.

I used to love this place. I discovered it shortly before covid and felt I was truly accepted. However now they require proof of vaccination. I find this discouraging and ironic. Their mission is yoga for everyone. Yet if you do not conform to the "new normal" you are not accepted. I desperately need a place like this used to be, but I do not agree with being vaccinated. I have that right. Just as everyone else does to disagree. And online yoga videos are not the same. I could buy a dvd of yoga or Google something easily. The experience and energy of a real class is what people need.

Asheville Community Yoga provides wonderful yoga classes !It is refreshing to partake of these donation-based classesThe philosophy and actions of Asheville Community Yoga are admirable and generous!!!!!!The teachers are dedicated to the needs of the the community and offer their classes on a donation- based program so everyone can attend !!!The classes are excellent and provide a peaceful and loving environmentI have taken the Virtual Yin Class on zoom with Katie Freshman and she is a great teacher.HIGHLY RECOMMEND ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY YOGA 😊👌I have been going to the online donation based classes often because I find them sweet and refreshing.Yin Class is excellent— Katie has a peaceful way and it is beautiful !!!The spacious breath and movement she instructs helps to both relax and strengthen. Wonderful ! Katie’s class keeps strengthening and stretching and relaxing !Asheville Community Yoga continues to have great online yoga classes —- pricing on sliding scale and free as well!Great way to do self care during the pandemic especially online with zoom in the safety of home—-learn or practice yoga to help yourself at this time —- brings a sense of peace and strength —- try it—- so wonderful to practice with dedicated teachers ,1/25/ 2022 UPDATE!Asheville Community Yoga offers such wonderful support to the community — how beautiful is that!Since I am out of state, it has given me the opportunity ( via online classes) to stay fit physically and mentally and have interaction with wonderful teachers and other yogis!My hope is they will be able to expand the online classes to ‘zoom’ some of the in-studio classes too !!! How good would that be!They get a 5+++++ Star rating and deserve it 100%!!!!!

This place is wonderful ! Its a 501(c3) nonprofit so most instructors are volunteers and the classes are donation based. Although in person classes have been scaled back somewhat since Covid there is still a nice variety to choose from each day, and also online classes. There’s also a program to become an instructor.The place has a nice vibe and the staff are always friendly and welcoming. The instructors are excellent and you can choose an easy or more challenging class depending on your current experience level or where you are at that day.I arrived early for class to take these photos. Not shown is Studio B which had a class in session

Fantastic donation based studio. Many teachers and many classes of all different types. Follow covid safety guidelines and always impeccably clean. Highly recommend.