Green Yoga Association takes new form

The Green Yoga Association, founded in 2003 by Kripalu Yoga teacher Laura Cornell, is shifting from a centralized organization to a decentralized organization managed by a council of members. The new Green Yoga Council aims to create a forum through which those devoted to the cause of green yoga can come to the table equally, energize their ongoing intentions and compassionate, ecological action, and renegotiate how the association will proceed.

“As a process that emphasizes the intelligence of the whole group, the council approach seems congruent with ecological principles,” says Gillian Kapteyn Comstock, codirector of Metta Earth Institute
in Lincoln, Vermont, and an association member. “Grassroots green yoga initiatives are widespread, already functioning in this self-organizing and community-based way. From this council, we can determine who does what and engage in reviewing, discussing, and formulating what is needed. New roles and leadership can emerge, shift, and change as the needs evolve.”

Under Laura’s leadership, the Green Yoga Association launched a number of important initiatives over the past five years, including the Green Studios program, the promotion and distribution of non-toxic yoga mats, two conferences, and a pilot leadership training program.

“I am so grateful for the opportunities I was given through Green Yoga for personal and professional growth, for new and treasured friendships, and for the satisfaction of participating in good work,” Laura writes. “The new council is a strong group, with clear and energetic voices, and with the leadership needed to shepherd Green Yoga into its future work and financial solvency.”

The Council’s immediate tasks include establishing financial stability for the organization, fine-tuning the organizational restructuring, and generating plans and actions for future directions that revitalize and deepen the Green Yoga mission. These future goals include further establishing Green Yoga as a national and perhaps international organization; continuing to serve as an educational and inspirational resource for the member base and the yoga community at large; networking and partnering with like-minded organizations; and maximizing the association’s ability to respond to planetary needs with yogic practices and principles.

“Yoga has so much to contribute to the greening of the planet,” Gillian says. “Green Yoga is at a vital ‘tipping point.’ All of our energy, wisdom, creativity, and activism is alive and well and absolutely needed to continue.”

To learn more about the Green Yoga Association, visit www.greenyoga.org.