As we close the month of April, we’re reminded that there is so much meaningful work to be done. Earth Month invites us to honor this incredible planet we share—but caring for people and planet is a year-round practice. The future unfolding around us is often shaped by a powerful few, and not always in service of humanity—or the Earth itself.

And yet, despite this, we feel more hopeful than ever.

Since beginning this journey with Kupala, we’ve been continually inspired by what we’ve witnessed in community—experiencing firsthand the generosity, resilience, and care that people are capable of. By weaving our yoga practice together with social and environmental justice, we’ve had the privilege of sharing space with individuals and organizations doing truly beautiful work—helping build a future that is more sustainable, just, and thriving for all.

Recently, we had the honor of volunteering with TreePeople, supporting their efforts to address shade inequity in Los Angeles by planting trees in South LA. We’re excited to partner with them again soon, so stay tuned if you’d like to join us.

Earlier this month, we also volunteered with Nourish LA (Nuestros Alimentos) at Sustainability Fest at Santa Monica College (Jess’s alma mater). We connected with students, faculty, and community members, and spent time with founder Natalie Flores-Blackner and her incredible team. Nourish LA redistributes fresh, high-quality groceries that would otherwise go to waste—providing them to communities free of cost. This work not only reduces food waste (a major contributor to CO₂ emissions), but also increases access to nourishing food at a time when grocery prices are so high.

They also collaborate with Good Karma Gardens to help residents transform their lawns into sustainable, edible, and pollinator-friendly spaces. We’re hoping to organize a future Karma Yoga Day around this initiative—so keep an eye out on our Instagram for updates.

For those of you in LA, we’d love for you to join us for our next Karma Yoga Day with Nourish LA on May 31st from 12–4:30pm. We’ll be supporting their distribution site, helping provide fresh produce and groceries to the community. It’s a beautiful way to connect, give back, and practice karma yoga—showing up in service without attachment to outcomes. Simply offering our time and energy, and meeting the moment as it is.

SIGN UP HERE!

To those who joined us for our recent karma yoga philosophy workshop—thank you. It was such a meaningful evening, and we felt deeply inspired sharing that space with you. Your curiosity and openness made it truly special. If you feel called to share feedback, we would love to hear from you—what resonated, what you’d like more of, and how we can continue to grow.

For those who couldn’t attend, we’ll be offering the workshop again in a live online format in the coming months. Together, we’ll explore foundational yoga and Sāṃkhya philosophy, teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and how these ancient insights can support us in navigating the complexities of modern life. Karma yoga remains a powerful, relevant path—one that helps us stay grounded, present, and engaged in a changing world.

Stay tuned for more details on how to join us.

That’s all for now! Thanks for reading. We hope to see you out in the community! 

With love and gratitude,

April & Jess

OM shanti, shanti, shanti

OM, Peace, Peace, Peace

Upcoming Events: 

Saturday, May 8th 

Journey Inward: Honoring the Mother Within - philosophy, meditation, asana and pranayama

4:00-5:30pm @ North Ray Yoga, La Brea

We’ll be collaborating with our dear friend Anita Vasan for a special yoga flow, nidra, and sound bath class dedicated to the cosmic mother, Ma Durga/Shakti on mother’s day weekend. This practice will gently explore themes of nurturing strength, protection, and the power of compassion that restores balance. The brilliant 2x New York Times Bestselling author, Sociologist, and mother, Anna Malaika Tubbs has graciously offered to give a signed copy of one of her award winning books to the first 10 people who sign up for the class!  Watch our discussion with Anna to get her insights and critiques on patriarchy, how yoga supports her motherhood, and the long path to collective liberation.

REGISTER HERE

 Sunday, May 31st 

Karma Yoga Day w/ Nourish LA

12-4:30pm @ Nourish LA - 3200 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Join us for Karma Yoga Day with Nourish LA! We’ll be on the distribution site with them handing out fresh produce and other groceries to the community. It’s a beautiful way to connect with one another and practice some karma yoga–showing up in service to others without expectations or clinging to outcomes. We just show up and do our best. It’s a practice of letting go and being in the moment, while offering something up (time, energy, etc.) to a higher cause.

SIGN UP HERE!

Saturday, June 6th

Rest as Resistance : gentle flow & soundbath for our queer and trans family

4:00-5:30pm @ North Ray Yoga, La Brea

Shout out to our LGBTQ familia—This Pride practice is a special offering to our queer and trans family. We’ll explore weaving movement, rest and sound as pathways to resilience and collective care. Together we’ll honor community struggle and the rest, presence, and care it demands as radical practices that will nourish both personal and collective liberation. This is a non-heated and Sliding-scale event with no one turned away for lack of funds.

(Sign up link coming soon—stay connected by following us on Instagram)