– Minneapolis Yoga Studios Are Supporting Local Causes
- Last week, the Saturday morning class at Yess Yoga on 26th Street in Minneapolis began like any other.
- She had glanced at her phone and learned that, according to early reports, a protester-later identified as Alex Pretti-had been fatally shot during an encounter involving U.S.Customs and...
- Within minutes, the neighborhood of Whittier became unrecognizable, explained the studio's founder and owner, Lucia Yess, who described an influx of protesters filling the streets and also CBP...
Published January 30, 2026 01:33PM
Last week, the Saturday morning class at Yess Yoga on 26th Street in Minneapolis began like any other. But as the 8:30 am class neared the end of the hour and students quietly settled into savasana, the teacher let out a hushed, “Oh no, oh no, oh no.”
She had glanced at her phone and learned that, according to early reports, a protester-later identified as Alex Pretti-had been fatally shot during an encounter involving U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. It was the second fatal encounter involving federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, according to local reporting.
Within minutes, the neighborhood of Whittier became unrecognizable, explained the studio’s founder and owner, Lucia Yess, who described an influx of protesters filling the streets and also CBP agents throwing tear gas canisters and blocking vehicles from passing through the nearby intersection.
Yess cancelled classes for the rest of the day. But students were already arriving for the 10 a.m. class, and street closures left those with vehicles unable to return home. Some locals came by the studio, confused by the disruption.
With protesters outside in subzero temperatures and a wind chill of 40 below, Yess says there was little question about how she would respond. “we didn’t have class, but we opened the doors to the community to shelter in place as they were getting tear gassed and shot at with rubber bullets,” she explains. “There was smoke and tear gas everywhere. You couldn’t leave as you couldn’t breathe.”
Within hours, the studio became a place where protestors and community members could warm themselves and be among others. One of the studio’s teachers, who is also a public health professional, voluntarily arrived to assist people flushing their eyes after exposure to tear gas. A quiet space was designated upstairs.
By early afternoon, the tear gas was dissipating, the blockade had been dismantled, and the studio slowly began to empty. Classes resumed the next morning.
Yess says she doesn’t view creating a safe space within her studio as an act of activism. rather, she sees it as an extension of her background in social work and social justice and in alignment with the vision she had when she create
Minneapolis Yoga and community Support
Table of Contents
Minneapolis Yoga is a local buisness that has significantly expanded its community support initiatives, particularly focusing on providing accessible yoga and wellness resources to underserved populations in the Twin Cities area.
History and Founding
Minneapolis Yoga was founded in 2014 by Kate Maxwell, initially as a mobile yoga service bringing classes to various locations throughout Minneapolis. About Minneapolis Yoga. The business quickly grew in popularity, leading to the opening of a brick-and-mortar studio in the Longfellow neighborhood in 2016.
Community Outreach Programs
minneapolis Yoga actively partners with several local organizations to offer free or reduced-cost yoga classes to individuals facing financial hardship, experiencing homelessness, or recovering from trauma. these partnerships include organizations like Dorothy Day Center, which provides services to people experiencing homelessness, and The Arc Minnesota, an organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Specifically, Minneapolis Yoga offers a “Community Care” program, providing scholarships for classes and workshops to individuals who demonstrate financial need.As of December 2025, the program has awarded over 500 scholarships, representing a total value of more than $15,000 in donated yoga services.minneapolis Yoga Community Care Program.
Expansion of Support (as of January 31,2026)
Minneapolis Yoga has also expanded its support,organizing fundraising events and donation drives to benefit local charities. In November 2025, the studio hosted a “Yoga for the People” event, raising $3,200 for the Second Harvest Heartland food bank. Minneapolis Yoga Events. A breaking news check as of January 31, 2026, reveals no new developments regarding these initiatives; the studio continues to actively promote and expand its community outreach programs.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Beyond direct service provision,Minneapolis Yoga collaborates with other wellness professionals and organizations to host workshops and events focused on holistic health and well-being. These collaborations have included workshops on mindfulness, nutrition, and stress management, frequently enough offered on a sliding-scale basis to ensure accessibility. A recent partnership with the minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board resulted in free outdoor yoga classes in several city parks during the summer of 2025. Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board.