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Project Yoga Richmond Celebrates 10 Years of Wellness

David Tran | November 18, 2020

Topics: fitness, meditation, Project Yoga Richmond, Saturday Salutations, wellness, yoga

Celebrating 10 years of providing yoga and mindfulness classes to the greater Richmond area, the wellness nonprofit continues to uphold its mission of affordability and accessibility.

Project Yoga Richmond celebrated its tenth birthday this past month doing what it does best — offering free yoga and meditation classes for the greater Richmond area community.

The wellness nonprofit organization stands out in the field of traditional yoga studios as it strives to be inclusive to all people of all abilities. Since its inception, Project Yoga Richmond has grown to provide accessible and affordable yoga classes through its pay-what-you-can model and outreach programs. 

“PYR really broke ground there by saying you didn’t have to be able to pay for an expensive studio membership,” said Rebecca Schinsky, president of Project Yoga Richmond’s board of directors. “You don’t have to be able to pay for fancy yoga equipment; we’ve always provided mats and props to anyone who needed them during classes. And you actually don’t even have to be able to pay at all.”

Whatever one may pay for these classes helps fund Project Yoga Richmond’s community outreach programs, which help to bring yoga to all Richmonders. Project Yoga Richmond began with a few outreach programs but have expanded to more than 15 programs. It has programs dedicated to youth, seniors, people with various abilities, people who are in recovery from addiction, and incarcerated people, to name a few.

“Our goal is to make yoga accessible and affordable to practitioners of all abilities,” said Nitika Achalam, Project Yoga Richmond’s executive director.

Reflecting on the past 10 years of Project Yoga Richmond, Schinsky the organization has expanded on its goal of accessibility. It aims to provide services to those who are often excluded from the yoga scene such as communities of color, specifically Richmond’s Black and Indigenous communities, as well as Richmond’s LGBTQ population.

Schinsky, who first became involved in the organization by attending its Saturday Salutations, said Project Yoga Richmond, over the years, has reexamined its accessibility efforts, “not just in terms of financial access, but thinking about having programs in neighborhoods where yoga studios don’t exist, or where people might not just come in contact with the practice in their everyday lives.”

Achalam, who has been involved in yoga since she was child, echoes Schinsky’s statement that Project Yoga Richmond’s mission is to provide yoga services to everyone. The organization has ambassadors and volunteers from other local yoga studios to make this mission possible.

As with many organizations and businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought Project Yoga Richmond’s in-person operations at a halt. Nevertheless, the nonprofit is dedicated to continuing providing yoga classes, and Richmonders are currently able to stretch it out through virtual classes the nonprofit holds online.

The virtual classes further the organization’s vision of yoga accessibility to all. “It makes it more accessible for some who might have a hard time getting out of the house,” Acalam said, “who might not have transportation, who might be differently abled… We can bring yoga to you.” 

In their effort to go virtual during the pandemic, Project Yoga Richmond added their videos collection to Patreon, an online subscription-based service. Subscribers have access to over 150 offerings of mindfulness and yoga classes.

Project Yoga Richmond tries to extend its pay-what-you-can model to Patreon by providing three membership monthly subscription levels — $17, $25, and $50. Acalam said if an individual cannot pay the lowest tier, they can contact Project Yoga Richmond for further assistance.

“We will make our offering accessible to you in a way that’s specific to the individual,” she said. “We don’t want to turn anyone away. We want the teachings to be available to you and we’ll help you get there.”

The wellness nonprofit organization recently celebrated their tenth year with a weeklong “10th Birthday Bash,” featuring online classes, auctions, raffles, and musical performances available free to the public. During this celebration, Project Yoga Richmond encouraged the community to share memories from the past ten years.

What does the next ten years look like for Project Yoga Richmond? Both Achalam and Schinsky hope for the organization to expand its yoga services and to continue providing classes to those who may not have easy access to them, but often need them most.

“We want to continue to work to support traditionally marginalized communities,” Achalam said, “people who might have been forgotten about when the yoga conversation first started.”

All Photos courtesy Project Yoga Richmond

Find Your Smile with Laughter Yoga

Jonah Schuhart | February 25, 2020

Topics: breathing, community, dr madan kataria, events in richmond va, events richmond va, exercise, HEALTH, integral yoga center of richmond, laughter, laughter yoga, laughter yoga richmond, laughter yoga university, richmond events, richmond va, RVA, Slash Coleman, stress, The Bohemian Love Diaries, The Neon Man And Me, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, yoga

At Laughter Yoga Richmond, instructor Slash Coleman guides sessions in laughter to reduce stress, boost the immune system, and even heal pain from injuries. 

Richmond has no shortage of activities and places for people to improve their health. Gyms, health food stores, and yoga classes are scattered across the city, but while activities like yoga get the bulk of attention from health-conscious folks, the benefits of laughter are often overlooked. 

Slash Coleman hopes to change that. After all, a good laugh session reduces stress and boosts the immune system. It’s these bodily benefits that Coleman chases when he partakes in “Laughter Yoga,” a relatively new activity that combines the social and disciplined aspects of yoga with the health benefits of laughter.

Coleman is the founder of Laughter Yoga Richmond, and he runs two public events a month instructing and guiding each session.

“Beginners come with mats and yoga clothes and think there’s yoga, but there aren’t poses in Laughter Yoga,” said Coleman. “And it’s strange, because the laughter is not based on jokes, comedy, or humor.” 

Instead of stretching and doing poses, Laughter Yoga practitioners begin with breathing exercises to prepare the body, followed by forced laughter that eventually becomes genuine and contagious. It’s this laughter that creates the aforementioned health benefits. 

“If the simulated laughter is the appetizer, then real laughter is the juicy stuff that’s the main course,” said Coleman.

PHOTO: RVA Laugh Club on Facebook

A Richmond native, Coleman has been running Laughter Yoga Sessions in the city since 2018. Beginning this March, he’ll begin training Richmonders to become Laughter Yoga instructors themselves. Classes will be held at the Integral Yoga Center of Richmond from March 13-15. Students will learn how to run their own Laughter Yoga sessions and expand the practice in the city.

Before becoming a Laughter Yoga instructor, Coleman worked as a professional writer and storyteller. During this time, he published books like The Bohemian Love Diaries, ran his own PBS one-man show called The Neon Man and Me, and performed in the National Storytelling Festival. Coleman’s career shift from professional storyteller to Laughter Yoga instructor came after he received a life-changing injury in 2015 during a book tour.

“I didn’t know if I was having a heart attack,” said Coleman. “It felt like I pulled every muscle in my body.”

Despite getting injured on Thanksgiving, Coleman continued his book tour until Christmas. His bodily pain had not reduced at all during that span of time. Coleman visited the doctor, and learned that he had been living with a collapsed lung since his pain began. He spent the next two months in the hospital after undergoing surgery.

“When I was leaving [the hospital], the Surgeon said that laughter, sneezing and coughing would help the lung heal,” said Coleman. 

Over the next year, Coleman spent most of his time in isolation, with little help toward progress in his recovery. Laughing, sneezing, and coughing still caused him pain. But after that year, he decided to take his Doctor’s advice about laughter and joined an improv comedy group. 

PHOTO: RVA Laugh Club on Facebook

“I hated it,” Coleman said. “It was like a comedy competition. So I dropped out, Googled ‘laughter’ again, and found Laughter Yoga. Something really strange happened.”

Coleman’s first experience with Laughter Yoga filled his body with oxygen, he said, in a way that no medical procedure had.

“I [also] felt this real, profound connection with everyone in the room. It felt a little uncomfortable… but I felt like I left with 12 really good friends,” he said. 

Coleman decided to pursue training as a Laughter Yoga Leader, and began running weekly sessions for the activity. During that time in 2018, he worked with over 9,000 Richmonders. After a year of guiding sessions, he was contacted by Dr. Madan Kataria. Kataria created Laughter Yoga in 1995, and founded Laughter Yoga University. He reached out to Coleman to congratulate him on his work. 

Coleman travelled to India in 2019, and spent a month training with Dr. Kataria. While he was there, he also received the Laughter Ambassador Award. Since then, Coleman has continued to run Laughter Yoga clubs and experiments in Richmond. He’s even worked with addicts to see if laughter could reap any benefits in the recovery process.

“I published a piece in Psychology Today,” said Coleman. “I’d like to do a more formal study. I’m working with MCV now to do that.”

To learn more about Laughter Yoga and find information about sessions in Richmond, check out Coleman’s website and social media at RVA Laugh Club.

Sunrise Rooftop Yoga at Graduate Richmond

Joe Vanderhoff | September 11, 2018

Topics: Graduate Richmond, Hot Yoga Barre, Rise rooftop yoga, rooftop, yoga

Join The Hot Yoga Barre for a morning of power, stretching, and taking in the gorgeous views from the rooftop of Graduate Richmond as the sun rises above RVA! Dudley will lead you through a fifty minute power yoga flow and then we invite you to stay and enjoy complimentary coffee and breakfast trays afterwards!

Bring a your mat and water! Arrive at least 10 minutes early.

Graduate Hotel: 301 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220

Cost: $20

***Check Mindbody for weather related updates***

Tickets can be purchased through MindBody at the link below: https://www.thehotyogabarre.com/events/sunrise-rooftop-yoga-graduate

Rooftop Barre with The Hot Yoga Barre at Graduate Richmond

Joe Vanderhoff | September 11, 2018

Topics: Graduate Richmond, rooftop, rooftop barre, the hot yoga barre, yoga

Join The Hot Yoga Barre for a morning of tucking, pulsing, and taking in the gorgeous views of RVA from the rooftop of Graduate Richmond! Dudley will lead you through a fun, forty-five minute barre class on the rooftop and then we invite you to join us at the lobby bar for a complimentary mimosa afterwards!

Bring a mat, water, and your sunglasses! Arrive at least 10 minutes early.

Graduate Hotel: 301 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23220
Cost: $20

***Check Mindbody for weather related updates***

No BS! Brass Band with Peoples Blues of Richmond, Spooky Cool, Prabir Mehta, and 5 more… at The Broadberry

Joe Vanderhoff | April 25, 2018

Topics: angelica garcia, Brunswick, Dharma Bombs, DJ Ghozt, Night Idea, NO BS Brass Band, People's Blues of Richmond, Prabir, RVA All Day, RVA All Day Block Party, South Hill Banks, Spooky Cool, The Broadberry, The Shack Band, Thorp Jensen, yoga

RVA All Day Block Party, feat. No BS! Brass Band, Angelica Garcia, Spooky Cool, Night Idea, Dharma Bombs, Prabir, Yoga w/The Shack Band, Brunswick, Thorp Jenson, DJ Ghozt, plus after party feat. People’s Blues Of Richmond, South Hill Banks @ The Broadberry – $25-30 (order tickets HERE)

Music returns to Mayo Island with inaugural music & arts fest, ‘Jam Sandwich’ on Saturday

Amy David | June 29, 2017

Topics: Dalton Dash, Dead Frog, Ellwood thompson's, Jam bands, Jam Sandwich, Mayo Island, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Moon Taxi, music and arts festival, music festival, Rikki Shay, RVA bands, rva music festival, Strangways Brewing, Three One One Productions, yoga

Festieheads rejoice, a new music & arts festival will bring life back to Mayo Island this Saturday.

Jam Sandwich, put on by Richmond’s Three One One Productions, is a one-day event bringing live music, arts and crafts, yoga, and more to Mayo Island this weekend.

Headlining the festival are Michael Franti & Spearhead and Moon Taxi, along with locals Dalton Dash, Rikki Shay, and Dead Frog, and Atlanta’s Chelsea Shag rounding out the rest of the bill.

Founded about eight years ago, local event company Three One One Productions is behind most of the festivals in town including the Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival, Carytown Watermelon Festival (in partnership with Carytown Merchants Association), Shamrock the Block, Hops & Barley Fest and more.

President Micki Long said after attending and working at major music festivals like Camp Bisco and Langerado (now defunct) over the years, she liked the idea of bringing a similar concept to Richmond on a smaller scale.

“I’ve always really liked the vibe of those kind of festivals and attended a lot of them; not only worked a lot of them so it’s always been in the back of my mind it was just a matter of finding the right place, the right time, and the right bands,” she said. “I also want to showcase a lot of our good local stuff…I think that’s important too finding ones that fit in this sort of music festival vibe, I see it as not just music, but as a whole experience.”

Throughout the last year, Long has been working with the owners of Mayo Island getting permits in place for a location that she has had her eye on from when she first had the idea.

Image may contain: one or more people, crowd and outdoor

“I think that’s a really cool little secret spot in the middle of downtown Richmond that’s still got grass on it and trees, but still has a great urban vibe, you have the railroad tracks that go across it, you have a big abandoned warehouse you can use for shade,” she said. “And it’s in the middle of the James River.”

It worked out too that reggae/hip hop/funk artist Michael Franti & Spearhead and Nashville’s prog rock band Moon Taxi were available to headline the festival, and by getting RVA’s folk quartet Dalton Dash, rock group Rikki Shay, and blues-rock band Dead Frog on board, Long was able to bring her vision for Jam Sandwich to life.

“All of the pieces seemed to fall in place this year and I really think the culture of the city of Richmond is a great place for this type of experience festival, not just music,” she said. “It’s a lineup that has a little bit of all kinds of different things in it.”

Prior to Jam Sandwich, there have only been just a handful of festivals over the years at the 13-acre island that gives access to Shockoe Bottom and downtown to Manchester by way of the 14th Street Bridge.

Country on Mayo, a country music festival took place there in 2013, and prior to that, Queens of the Stone Age performed there in 2000 and the island has been pretty much a ghost town musically otherwise.

“That was the last one that I went to on Mayo Island,” she said referring to the Queens of the Stone Age concert. “It hasn’t been used in many, many years they stopped renting it out, it’s just been sitting there.”

Jam Sandwich is taking the “jam” theme and running with it beyond musical acts. Ellwood Thompson’s is making a signature PB&J sandwich just for the event, Strangeways Brewing will be there serving up jam-inspired brews as well as some of its flagships, and the festival will also be selling a raspberry “Jamtini” provided by Titos. Belle Isle Moonshine will also offer cocktails.

Tapping into the Coachella-like atmosphere, Jam Sandwich will feature everything from free festie face painting to yoga.

“We’ve got a yoga garden where were going to have yoga instructors,” she said adding that they will open the gates an hour prior to the music to host a yoga class in the field. “Throughout the day in the Zen garden we’ll have lavender towels and cushions to sit on.”

Attendees can also spray paint inside the warehouse on the property, enjoy cotton candy and check out a fabric art installation by Function Form among other interactive elements.

“We’re just trying to make it slightly different so it’s not the same generic street festival, which is nothing wrong with them I do them all the time,” she said. “I just wanted to bring something slightly different to Richmond that has the same vibe as a Firefly or a Coachella without the camping at a much more affordable price in the middle of the city.”

And while there’s no camping this year, Long did hint at the possibility in the future along with making Jam Sandwich an annual event.

“We’re going to do one day this year and start growing it on from that,” she said. “That’s definitely something I’d like to see in the future its growing it as it is and getting Richmond to embrace it, and once they embrace it, its finding a place I have the room so we can move to that next step.”

Jam Sandwich kicks off this Sat., July 1 at Mayo Island located at 501 South 14th St. with music from 12-8 pm. Gates open at 11 am. General Admission tickets are $30 in advance, $45 the day of, and a viewing platform option is for sale for $135 which includes on-island parking and a few other treats. Get yours here. On island parking passes are $7 or attendees have the option to park in the surrounding lots which are within walking distance.

 

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