Urban Yoga Aligns with Desert AIDS Project
Kristin Olson’s Urban Yoga in Palm Springs has long been a beacon of yogic community through classes, workshops, gatherings, fundraisers, and more. For example, Kristin and the team have sponsored Urban Teen Yoga at Palm Springs High School for PE credit for 20 years. And Kristin initiated discounted classes for HIV/AIDS Clients and employees of Desert AIDS Project in 2000. And, for the past 11 years Urban Yoga helmed by Kristin Olson guiding a vibrant team has occupied a splendid and welcoming studio in Palm Springs.
Building a CommUnity
As of November 2018, Urban Yoga aligned with Desert AIDS Project (DAP) to create a new yoga studio in Palm Springs. UYC at DAP that serves the thriving Urban Yoga CommUnity, as well as the general public, DAP clients, and the center’s doctors and employees.
Kristin Olson at Desert AIDS Project. Photo by Barry Schoenfeld.
Students joined Kristin to help transfer the sumptuous Urban Yoga decor to the new studio on the DAP campus. The tranquil room is carpeted with a state-of-the-art Deepak Chopra InnerSpace grounding floor. This unique feature provides the benefits of earthing through the absorption of negative-charged free electrons.
Students will also recognize the elements unique to Urban Yoga. These include: favorite teachers and classes, kirtan and soundbath events, familiar incense, the full-wall mirror, colorful pillows, and the watchful Ganesh and Buddha statues.
The two entities, UYC@DAP, share a focus on the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of the “Planet & the Peeps.”
Desert AIDS Project
David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project, says, “The healing communities of Urban Yoga and Desert AIDS Project joined together to increase our collective impact in the Coachella Valley. Through partnering under one roof, we provide a more holistic approach to health and wellness.”
Palm Springs Mayor Rob Moon (left) with CEO David Brinkman (right) at Desert AIDS Project
Desert AIDS Project is one of the most influential HIV/AIDS nonprofits in the country. Serving 4,500 people within 11,000 square miles of California, the center has already been treating people holistically with testing, treatment, Ayurvedic diets, acupuncture, meditation, and yoga. Forward-thinking, DAP is a national model with its innovative care programming.
Kristin says, “In addition to wellness, we focus on mindfulness and increasing the strength and flexibility of the body to create the balance and union of Body, Mind, and Spirit.”
Urban Yoga
The Urban Yoga schedule features a mix of Gentle, Beginning, and Restorative classes as well as challenging Energetic Flow, Bottle Rocket, and Vinyasa 2-3 classes. Join UYC@DAP classes and be a part of this happy, dedicated CommUnity in their new home. Urban Yoga Center moves to Desert AIDS Project, 1695 N Sunrise Way, Palm Springs Call: 760-320-7702 or Visit:
urbanyoga.org
Karen Henry is an Associate Editor at LA YOGA who volunteers in a variety of capacities for nonprofit organizations and artists around Los Angeles. She practices yoga as a counterbalance to her daily impact sports and is a mother of four grown children who also practice yoga . Now, she’s working on teaching yoga and joy of life to the grandkids!