Namaste, beloved Kupala community,

April and Jess here. We’re so excited to share our very first newsletter as Kupala Yoga—with reflections, upcoming events, and ways to gather in community.

Before we begin, we want to be clear about who we are. While we offer online yoga and deeply value rest and self-care, we are not apolitical. As queer, trans-inclusive, justice-oriented practitioners, we experience the everyday as political—this is true for anyone living at the intersections of marginalization. For many, simply moving through the world carries risks others may never experience.

We don’t say this to overwhelm, but to be honest about the reality we’re living in. The world feels heavy right now—marked by deep injustice, environmental crisis, violence, destruction, and growing authoritarianism. Many of us feel that weight, along with grief, anger, fear, or even numbness. All of those responses are valid.

But we also believe this: staying engaged matters. And to stay engaged, we need practices that sustain us. This is where yoga comes in—not as escape, but as support for the long haul. A way to steady the nervous system, reconnect to purpose, and remain present for the work ahead.

Kupala is less a place and more an idea—a space to bring people together through embodied practice and a shared commitment to collective care, justice, and community resilience. Our own practice is rooted in traditional yoga philosophy, honoring the wisdom passed down through generations of teachers and sages. We’re here to practice, to learn, and to show up for one another.

We also want to honor and support those who have long been in this work—Indigenous communities protecting land and sovereignty, abolitionists challenging systems of harm, and countless individuals who continue to fight for dignity and justice, often at great personal cost.

Their efforts remind us of what’s possible, even in the hardest moments.

At Kupala, we’re committed to making this work sustainable by providing our wellness services as a way to keep our communities strong and healthy by supporting a practice both on and off the mat. We offer accessible yoga, sound baths, and yoga philosophy workshops in Los Angeles, along with opportunities to practice karma yoga—selfless service in action.

Earlier this month, we held our first Karma Yoga Day with TreePeople, helping them bring shade to neighborhoods that need it most. It was joyful, grounding, and a reminder of what’s possible when we come together.

Join Our Next Karma Yoga Day on Sunday, 5/31 w/ Nourish LA!

Join us for our next Karma Yoga Day on Sunday, May 31st as we partner with Nourish LA (Nuestros Alimentos), an amazing woman-owned nonprofit organization that has been providing free groceries to their community. We'll be helping them in their mission to distribute fresh and healthy foods, while also helping to reduce food waste.

Sign up below to join us for what is sure to be a fun and fulfilling day of service in the community!

Sign Up!

Learn more about the path of Karma Yoga with us at our upcoming workshop!

We’re leading our first workshop on April 18th (5–7pm) at North Ray Yoga La Brea. We’ll explore the foundations of karma yoga through the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, along with some movement and storytelling. Whether you’re new or experienced, this is a space to learn and connect.

Register Here

Other upcoming things...

Shout out to our LGBTQ familia—we’re holding a special Flow + Sound Bath on June 6th (4–5:30pm) at North Ray Yoga La Brea. This sliding-scale class is open to all, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Come move, sweat, reset, and be held in beloved community.

More details on how you can register for this class is coming soon! Please sign up for our newsletter follow us on Instagram to get real-time updates on our events, etc. @kupalayoga.

Lastly, we are in the process of building an online library of classes and workshops for future members, but this will take us some time, so please bear with us as we work through that and stay tuned in the coming months for more updates on that.

In the meantime, April offers private yoga sessions—both in-person and online, depending on your preference. So if you’re looking to deepen or personalize your practice, you can book a private with her through our new website.

Thank you for being here. Truly. Your presence, your care, your willingness to show up—it matters. Let’s keep building something together: a world rooted in dignity, connection, and collective care.

With humble gratitude,

April & Jess

Om shanti shanti shanti