Jax Riverfront Yoga Classes: Free Yoga for Everybody

In partnership with the Downtown Jacksonville Investment Authority, JaxParks, and City of Jacksonville, and as a result of their community survey about what activities locals wanted at riverfront parks, last fall, we began offering accessible yoga classes open to all every Tuesday night. We offered six classes to start, extended to six more, and on March 7th of this year, based on the positive response from the community, our partners offered to fund classes for the rest of 2023 with the location moving to under the Fuller Warren Bridge (715 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32204).

None of us were sure what to expect when the classes started and had lots of questions. What about weather? What would happen when the time change occurred and it became darker earlier? Who would show up? These questions and more were quickly answered. Even when it was cold, people showed up in their coats and brought blankets. The City brought out lights so that people felt safe practicing as the sun set and under the moonlight. The question regarding who would show up is the subject matter and inspiration of this blog. 

We wanted the Riverfront classes, like all of our classes, to be a space for anyone interested in yoga, and that is exactly what it has become; a beautifully diverse group that truly represents our community. The first week and the weeks that followed, we had anywhere from 25 to 50 people, ranging from new students, to alumni of facility programs, youth, seasoned yogis and other yoga teachers, expecting mothers and more, participants of all races, sexes, age groups, and abilities.

As Director of Programs, I show up on the weeks I am able to support the teacher, to set up a table and share about our mission, to bring extra yoga mats and supports for those who do not yet have their own, and to practice myself. Because of this, I get the honor to talk with many of the students about their day, their perceptions of yoga, and how they can access more classes like this.

Probably one of the most inspiring stories was from an elderly gentleman experiencing housing insecurity who rolled up in his electric mobility scooter with his friend on a bike, who had recently completed treatment and was looking for more permanent housing. I watched as the man found a folded yoga mat in his belongings and slowly and deliberately made his way to the group with the help of a cane. He laid out his mat and sat down. He was unable to stand on his own, so he practiced some of the standing shapes from his knees as his teacher provided verbal cues that included him without singling him out. At the end of the class, his friend handed me $10 to go toward our mission because of their appreciation for our time and for this healing space. I thanked him and shared that the classes were paid for by the City, but he insisted, so I thanked him again. Knowing their possessions were fairly limited to what they had on them, this brought tears to my eyes.

THIS is exactly why we, at Yoga 4 Change, do what we do. Our current vision statement says that we envision a future where individuals are healed and empowered to live with hope, self-esteem and confidence through the integration of real-life tools (movement, breathing exercises, quiet time) provided by the yoga practice. We want to provide classes that are free to students and represent and serve our community best so that we can grow together. We believe that empowered instructors create empowered students and lasting change.

Please join us Tuesdays at 6 p.m. underneath the Fuller Warren Bridge (Where RAM is on Saturdays) so that you can experience it for yourself, and/or, if you feel inclined, please donate so that we can continue to offer this incredibly important programming to our students at no cost.