Yoga Hits the Streets

When Mark Lilly, a software engineer and yoga practitioner in Portland, Oregon decided to organize yoga classes for the homeless population of that city, he learned it wasn't as simple as finding a teacher and and buying some mats.

"Many nonconventional places have had yoga teachers, but I found that in nearly every case, the teacher eventually had to stop teaching due to burnout or life events," Lilly says. "The homeless have had enough of good things dropping out of their lives. We wanted to provide ongoing teaching, simply as a way of honoring them with our commitment."

In October, 2002, Lilly founded Street Yoga(SY), a nonprofit organization with 14 dedicated teachers that provides yoga classes for people who would otherwise lack access to them. In July, 2003, SY launched its first series of classes at Outside In, a downtown resource center for homeless youth, where the volunteer instructors learned to work around the flurry of activity. SY also offers classes for the staff and residents of White Shield Shelter, a transitional shelter for girls ages 11 to 17. Demand for SY classes is growing, and organizations in Olympia, Washington; Los Angeles; and Vancouver, British Columbia, are considering implementing similar programs.

For those who have no home, yoga classes offer a rare sanctuary. "It's a wacky world out there," SY instructor Larry Novick says. "Yoga can help you find a place of peace-- and then you realize it's right inside yourself, all the time."

Here's the whole exchange between SY teacher Larry Novick and one of the youth that was excerpted in the YJ article:

youth: yoga's about more than just exercise for your body, right? it helps your mind also.

larry: you're right, yes it does.

youth: like how?

larry: the word yoga means union. as in connection. it's a way to connect within, like joining together your mind and body.

youth: that's a good thing isn't it. that can help you feel good.

larry: yes. it's a crazy world out there. yoga can help you can find a place of peace - and then you realize it's right inside yourself, all the time.

youth: and if you can find that place even for a second, it's a beautiful thing.

larry: you're right, it is. if you can open that door just a little, then you can go throught it again. how old are you?

youth: 19.

larry: you want to do some yoga today?

youth: i can't. i have to be somewhere. but next week. later.