San Diego Beach Yoga: How Teachers Won Back Access
- Yoga teachers in San Diego can once again lead classes on the city's beaches, following a ruling by a federal appeals court.
- Amy Baack and steve Hubbard, the yoga teachers who filed suit against the city in 2024, argued that the 2022 ordinance infringed on their rights.
- In 2024, a City of Parks and Recreation spokesperson stated the city's aim was to curb the rise of unpermitted businesses in public spaces, which caused overcrowding.
San Diego yoga teachers triumph! the federal appeals court reversed the cityS ban, securing their right to teach yoga on beaches. This landmark ruling protects yoga teaching as “protected speech,” effectively overturning a 2022 ordinance and allowing Amy Baack and Steve Hubbard to resume their beachfront classes. The City of Parks and Recreation, initially seeking to curb unpermitted businesses, now faces a review of the appellate ruling. News Directory 3 is following this developing story. Having fought for their right to access public spaces, Baack and Hubbard are back, promoting community wellness. Discover what’s next for San Diego beach yoga and evolving city regulations.
San Diego Yoga Teachers Win Beachfront Access in Court
Yoga teachers in San Diego can once again lead classes on the city’s beaches, following a ruling by a federal appeals court. The court overturned San Diego’s ban on commercial activities, including group fitness classes, in beachfront and park locations.
Amy Baack and steve Hubbard, the yoga teachers who filed suit against the city in 2024, argued that the 2022 ordinance infringed on their rights. the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, determining that teaching yoga constitutes “protected speech.” Bryan Pease, co-counsel for Baack and Hubbard, said the ruling reverses the district court judge’s initial opinion.
In 2024, a City of Parks and Recreation spokesperson stated the city’s aim was to curb the rise of unpermitted businesses in public spaces, which caused overcrowding. The department declined to comment on the recent appellate ruling. Ibrahim Ahmed, a spokesperson for the City Attorney’s Office, said the city is reviewing the decision.
Baack, who had been teaching at Sunset Cliffs as 2021, stopped her classes last year due to the ordinance. “This case was never just about yoga—it’s about our right to gather, to move, and to share in community spaces,” Baack said. “It’s splendid to see the courts agree that access to free, public wellness groups, like my yoga meetups at Sunset Cliffs, is a basic American right.”
Hubbard, who has taught yoga at Oceanfront for 18 years, resumed his beach classes the day after the ruling. “I started this class 18 years ago to make yoga accessible to everyone in the community, and it’s amazing after all we’ve been through to be back out teaching and sharing the practice,” he said.
Baack’s classes at sunset Cliffs are scheduled to resume June 11. “This is a big win, not just for me and Steve, but for all of San Diego! I’m proud to have stood up for something that matters,” she said.
What’s next
San Diego officials are evaluating their next steps following the court’s decision. Meanwhile, Baack and Hubbard plan to continue offering yoga classes on the beach, promoting community wellness and accessible fitness.