Teaching for Equity Program

Teaching for Equity provides financial support, business-building resources, and community connection for yoga teachers serving for little or no pay in communities experiencing marginalization.

The application for the 2023 Teaching for Equity program is now closed.

Who Does Teaching for Equity Support?

YAF programming places special focus on communities who have historically had less access to the practice of yoga, including, but not limited to:

LGBTQQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and "+" to recognize the limitless sexual orientations and gender identities used by people)
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)
Economically marginalized / Persons living in poverty
Persons living with disabilities / Differently-abled Persons
Other communities facing barriers or experiencing marginalization (examples include: limited geographic access to services, persons living as refugees, internally displaced persons, persons experiencing homelessness, incarcerated persons, and other under-resourced communities)

What Does Teaching for Equity Offer?

In addition to amplifying participating teachers’ work and the importance of their service, Teaching for Equity teachers also receive continuous support that promotes long-term emotional and mental wellbeing, helping them to maintain their work well beyond the end of their program.

Eligibility

This program is open to yoga teachers who meet the following requirements:

A minimum of 2 years of experience teaching yoga within a historically marginalized community
Actively or recently teaching (during the past year) for little or no pay
In financial need (defined as having an annual income below $30,000 USD for applicants from high-income countries, or adjusted local equivalent)
A current/past member of the community in which they teach

Apply

Hear from Past Participants

It was great to build a strong rapport with so many people around the globe and consistency in my teaching. It helped keep my community connected and many students have shared they feel encouraged by my work. Physically, emotionally, physiologically—I feel positive growth happening in me each day."

– Namurembe Rita Brown
Kenya, 2021 Participant

Teaching for Equity has been one of the highlights of my yoga career. It gifted me an opportunity to extend the services of yoga to my community. As a helping professional, I am committed to the well-being of people, and TFE allowed me to further serve people. Thank you."

– Tina Fitts
USA, 2022 Participant

A Growing Initiative

Implementing Partners

The Teaching for Equity application and selection process is run by Ivy Child International, a global nonprofit that partners with education and care systems to enhance well-being through innovative and culturally responsive programs.

Workshops for participating teachers are run by Synergy Yoga, a wellness organization based in Peru, Kenya and the U.S., that focuses on international community empowerment through the healing arts.