OUR VALUES
ACCESSIBILITY | ACCOUNTABILITY | LEADERSHIP
Our studio is located in PORTLAND, Maine, which is a part of the the unceded Wabanaki territories.
As a business that teaches barre and YOGA, we believe in the support and connection of bodies to their own agency and wisdom, while honoring the roots and lineage of practices and cultures that have been colonized by western practices of profit.
Our PROJECT is to facilitate a community in-process, constituted by people who are in-process. Our commitment is to make sure that the trajectory of our process is toward the common good. As a business that is run by and primarily serves people with unearned privilege, we commit to actively making our space safer for as many people as possible. We commit to elevating the behaviors and expectations of the yoga industry in whatever ways we can, including but not limited to: better teacher pay and benefits, justice and equity oriented political activism, community engagement and the sharing of our financial resources.
““I am so honored to be a teacher at The Portland Yoga Project. This is the place. I get to teach alongside some of the best instructors and people anywhere. Jess & Elizabeth provide an enormous amount of support through their quiet conviction and encouragement. They have given me a belief in my own abilities.” ”
HOW WE GOT HERE
When we decided to open a yoga studio, we wanted to create a place where teachers loved to work, and a place where people love to gather.
So, we approached some of the best yoga and barre teachers in Portland and asked if they would be willing to take a chance on us as we built a business that prioritized the value, time, care, and creativity of teachers.
Then, we took a bunch of houseplants from our homes and scattered them throughout the space, along with some twinkle lights, and a couple of comfy chairs.
Next, we invited our friends to come to classes and before we knew it, our schedule and classes were full, there were people lounging in the lobby all times of day, and word was spreading fast that PYP was something special.
So, we did what growing businesses do and signed a lease on a much bigger space that could host more people, more classes, and a more diverse offerings.
Then, the pandemic hit and we halted our brick and mortar build-out. Instead, we built out an entire online platform of live-stream and on-demand classes. Jess had a baby, Elizabeth started homeschooling her kids, we hired Lauren as manager, and we brought on four of our teachers as part-time employees.
Finally, we finished our brick and mortar build out and finally opened our doors for studio classes. We are looking forward with curiosity and humility toward what the future will hold for us.
“Working with Jess, Elizabeth & Lauren boils down to trust and support —without which, it would be difficult to be as committed to each other, the work, the people who show up. It’s easy to say yes to the incredible opportunities they have offered me because of this. And, to top it off, it’s really fun crew to work with and for. And thank goodness for that.”
OUR COMMITMENTS
Financial Accessibility:
We offer a tiered pricing model for all of our classes in order to increase access to movement practices for those who cannot otherwise afford to practice at a standard rate.
Employment for Teachers:
We offer competitive wages and part-time employment to our teachers. Benefits include paid time off, continuing education stipends, and paid parental leave.
Expertise:
Our teaching staff is comprised of highly educated and experienced teachers from a variety of movement traditions, lineages, and specializations. Our teachers are committed to continuing education, safer teaching practices, and ethical conduct.
Equity and Inclusion:
Our pursuit of justice, equity, inclusion and diversity is and always will be ongoing. We recognize the work of self-reflection on the ways in which we as individuals and as a culture are steeped in white body supremacy, colonialism, and heteronormativity is essential and urgent.
THANK YOU
Now, we say thank you to everyone in our families who helped us care for our children, and spent countless hours of labor building out the new studio. Thank you to our teachers, whose patience has been unrelenting throughout the countless last minute changes and unforeseen obstacles. Thank you to our members who stuck with us and showed up to practice in your homes for months and months. Thank you to everyone who donated to our fundraising campaign. Thank you to our students who are walking through our doors with contagious joy. Thank you to our studio assistants for keeping our space welcoming and functioning smoothly. Thank you to local businesses and artists who collaborate with us to facilitate a space of genuine community.
We are filled with so much love, even when we are grumpy.
<3
Elizabeth and Jess