RALEIGH, N.C. — If there are any barriers holding you back from trying yoga, cost will no longer be one of them.

 

What You Need To Know

  • You Call This Yoga offers free online and in-person yoga classes to the community
  • The studio partners with Meals on Wheels to offer classes at their locations throughout the Triangle
  • All donations raised in December go toward free yoga classes throughout 2022

 

You Call This Yoga in Raleigh makes it their mission to make yoga accessible to everyone regardless of their physical and financial condition. The class incorporates the use of chairs and bands to enhance the practice.

Howie Shareff founded the nonprofit yoga studio in 2010.

“It’s essential that yoga be free and accessible. I came from a place of disability and I have the luxury of seeking care but those who are struggling to heal physically and emotionally may not have the means to get out, and we provide a place for people to join together, have a sense of community and feel better,” Shareff said.

Throughout December the studio is working to raise $30,000 in order to continue funding their free yoga classes in 2022. Money raised goes to paying teachers like Anjana Rathore.

“For me, it’s spreading the passion that I have for this form of self-care,” Rathore said.

Rathore found that passion when she began instructing yoga five years ago. An avid runner, trying yoga was stepping outside of her comfort zone.

“It kinda really changed my mind and outlook in the practice of yoga, you can take a pause, recoup and then get ahead and you are much better for your body and in how you serve your body, the nation and the community, or anything you feel like,” Rathore said.

The studio partners with Meals on Wheels to offer the classes at their locations every Monday.

That’s how Eatamed Hassanein found the program two months ago. It was her first time ever trying yoga.

“It makes me young, strong, move my old body, it’s good,” Hassanein said.

Rathore says that’s the goal.

“The importance of yoga practice is you can take care of yourself first. If you can take care of yourself first, then you can take care of others,” Rathore said.

Classes are also taught at Waverly Hematology and Oncology as well as online.