The Bhakti Yoga Movement Center

For the first time in 23 years of living in Oregon I walked into a yoga center owned by a South Asian. It was such an amazing feeling. The space has so much healing energy which I am sure is a reflection of the owners and teachers that teach there. I am so glad I went there and am looking forward to reconnecting with my cultural heritage once again only because I don’t have to worry about it being co-opted and being taught in a manner that is not rooted in its history.

Welcoming, peaceful, and absolutely empowering. Traveled far to practice at a such an intentionally owned, curated, and community studio. If you practice, this studio is a MUST-go! Finally nailed my Crow pose in practice today with Newsha!

The most inclusive, welcoming, authentic space I've ever practiced yoga in. Teachers are gifted at translating the principles underlying yoga, and the postures, into language that resonates and helps me access all that yoga has to offer. Thank you, BYMC, for finally making a practitioner out of me!

The space is beautiful, the teachers are great, and the community of students is the best. My favorite studio in Portland and beyond!

I’ve been attending the BYMC for several years now, both in person and virtually because the teachers offer nurturing instruction and understand how to adjust the yoga practice to tailor it to each student’s needs and abilities. I’m in my 70’s, and took up yoga later in life, and because the instructors offer various ways to approach each position, I can safely and enjoyably adapt the yoga practice in ways that heal me, make me stronger, and more agile. The teachers are warm, welcoming, and interested in all who attend, providing a sense of inclusive community. (They offer a check-in for current requests with each who attend.) In each session, I am enriched by some pearls of wisdom, humor, or down-to-earth acknowledgement of our common experience. It is inspiring. When it is possible to attend in person (I live out of state most the year), I luxuriate in the good vibes and aesthetics the studio offers. I hope seniors like myself, or those recovering from injury, or physically challenged, know they are welcome in this center of all ages, abilities, and orientations. There are even chair yoga classes where true yoga poses are modified with the support of a chair so not to cause stress on the body, and yet you finish the session with a sense of pride and accomplishment that you can participate in this healing and emboldening practice of yoga.