You feel it as soon as you walk through the doors of Yoga West, that this is more than just a yoga studio. Located in the heart of Kitsilano, Yoga West has faithfully served the community since 1973. It remains an open, inclusive and community-centred space where all are welcome to take our various classes, participate in our Teacher Training program, and attend our workshops, courses, and events.

More than a yoga studio, it is a space where we have built a strong community forged with heart-centred connections. It is a hub of spiritual consciousness, health and wellness, and serenity that contributes to the elevation, authenticity, and healing of mind, body, and spirit to countless people of all ages, levels, and backgrounds.

“I feel like I have come home.” "Practicing yoga and meditation here changed my life.” “Having this place practice yoga, to meditate, and have community really keeps my spirits up.” These are not uncommon words to hear around this cherished space.

For half a century, Yoga West has been a beacon of health, wellness, and community spirit in Kitsilano. Since 1973, when the first class was held on the lawn of the Kitsilano Community Center, to its current home since 2003, this studio has been a cherished space for yoga practitioners of all levels.

Over these decades, Yoga West has weathered many ups and downs, including surviving the devastating financial impact of the COVID years, pivoting to providing online classes, and offering other forms of yoga including more recently Yin and Hatha. We hope to continue to add new classes and class times, and further expand on what we offer: high-quality yoga with a touch of the sacred. We are grateful for the community’s ongoing support and gratefully acknowledge our 20+ amazing staff and teachers.

Unfortunately, even with these shifts, the financial stability of Yoga West has not recovered from those COVID years, during which many other small businesses and yoga studios were forced to close early on. Currently, it is a challenge to uphold and improve the space so that it can remain open for the community, and we are only just getting by.

We ask for your help so that we can continue to serve the community with:

• Yoga classes: Kundalini, and now Yin and Hatha

• Meditations for mental wellness, healing, and peace of mind

• World-class Certified Yoga Teacher Training (a hallmark of Yoga West) in it’s 33rd year.

• Chanting and Mantra, Sacred Sound healing and Gong baths

• Regular Sunday kirtan in our beautiful Gurdwara: a sacred space where one can meditate, and which is always filled with sacred music and chanting

• Discounted yoga for seniors and students

• Accessible online classes for reduced price

• Low-cost community yoga classes

We know times are difficult, but we cannot keep the doors of this unique and iconic gathering place open without your support. We would be very grateful if you could kindly contribute to this GoFundMe initiative which aims to raise $100,000 in 2024. These funds will be used to revitalize the space as well as cover operational expenses which have accumulated. Through this, you will be helping us to return to financial viability.

Please contribute as much as you can, as every little bit helps.

So, drop by sometime, in person or virtually!! Do yoga, meditate, chant, uplift your spirits!

With sincere gratitude,

The Yoga West (Vancouver) community