Help Any Body Yoga Thrive During Yo's Healing

8/17/24 UPDATE: Yo’s surgery has been delayed until September 12th (with a 4-6 week recovery). Surgery was originally expected to occur in August.

Five and a half years ago, 67 Memphians crammed into a small studio to celebrate the launch of Any Body Yoga. Its founder and owner, Yo Clark, spoke about how growing a community rooted in reciprocal love required an understanding of the concept of “ubuntu,” an African word meaning “I am because you are.”  

But now Any Body Yoga is in jeopardy. Yo is bed-ridden for three months undergoing two unexpected knee replacement surgeries. We—her students and fellow teachers—reach out to you for help in tiding Any Body Yoga over until she returns.

Our goal is to raise $15,000 to pay the salaries, rent, and utilities necessary to keep the studio thriving through the summer and early fall. Please consider donating to the campaign and sharing news of it with others who might want to help sustain one of Memphis’ most vibrant yoga studios.

 

Yo has always dedicated herself to helping others. Somewhat miraculously, she powered Any Body Yoga through COVID and, despite a rent hike and general inflation, has kept the studio going since then without raising class fees. She even managed to save enough to survive a revenue disruption of a month—but not enough for the entire projected recovery.

 

The current crisis stems from knee replacement surgery Yo had years ago, related to a work-related injury 12 years ago. She began experiencing constant pain and swelling several months ago. In May, after a round of medical appointments, she was finally scheduled to get a new knee. But just 20 minutes before the procedure, her doctor delivered the news that her one surgery was going to be two. 

 

Right now Yo is recovering from the first operation, awaiting the actual knee replacement surgery, and anticipating the work of recovery to follow. Most of all, she looks forward to returning to her yoga community where “Every Body is Somebody.”