More than a decade ago, Urban Yoga Center (UYC) made its debut in Palm Springs. UYC is one of the first Yoga studios operating in the Coachella Valley. If you don’t already know Kristen Olsen, owner of Urban Yoga Center in Palm Springs you must meet her. Olsen has developed a thriving Yoga community within our valley. Along with creating community, Olsen opens her heart and studio to all walks of life. The young, the more mature, and those fallen to illness are welcome to UYC. For those conveniently located to UYC, Olsen’s studio is worth visiting.
Indra Devi, often referred to as “The First Lady of Yoga,” was one of Olsen’s inspirations. Olsen was introduced to Devi and she has never turned back. Olsen was so inspired and accepted her first teaching position in Rancho La Puerta, Baja Mexico circa 1976. As years passed, Olsen decided to make big strides and share more Yoga with her community. In 2001 UYC was born. The leap of faith to offer classes in a studio environment results from another inspiration. Olsen tells me, “I had been teaching in a room donated by Desert AIDS Project. Marcel Bassirian offered me his old gym to instruct. That was on Sept. 7th, I taught Sept. 9th and on 9/11. That evening six or seven of us gathered. We were in need of friends and “community.” I realized I could offer a place to gather, not only in times of extreme fear and loss, but also as a Healing Arts Center. Many of us are not natives. Many of our families are dispersed and when challenging situations arise we yearn to come together. The name, Urban Yoga came from a great yoga teacher in W. Hollywood, Billy Porter. He was one of the first to offer free yoga for the HIV/AIDS community. For many years, from 1999 thru 2009 I was affiliated with Desert AIDS Project and was able to offer classes for minimal charge, supplemented by the Ryan White Act. My inspiration is, and was, to offer Yoga to all, young, exuberant, older, and retired students alike. Specifically I knew that yoga would help with the disease of HIV/AIDS. I knew people could overcome fear and find ample compassion, trust, forgiveness, “cosmic” care, and blessings.”
Olsen also spearheaded a teen Yoga program with the Palm Springs Unified School District more than five years ago. The program has been well received and helped many teens. The teens have attained an understanding of exercise, health, handling anxiety, preparing for tests, and the challenges of being a teenager. The program is offered for a fee and averages $7.00 per class during the semester. Sponsors and grants are welcome to continue the program.
In honor of National Yoga Month, UYC will be offering FREE Yoga, September 23-29 at Ruth Hardy Park. UYC offers Hatha and Vinyasa classes for all levels and ages. Everyone is welcome. UYC has several instructors and are qualified to work with everyone. If you would like more information about UYC please visit: www.urbanyoga.org
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