Brixton Yoga has been offering free, live, virtual Zoom classes since the beginning of the first lockdown.
Gurpreet Dosanjh, the owner and founder of Brixton Yoga, found himself without a physical studio and regular income overnight last March.
He decided to pivot the business and move the classes online to support the community during the pandemic. Since then, the studio has offered at least one free virtual class every day, often beginning with Gurpreet’s parents saying “Hello”.
Community spirit has been at the heart of Brixton Yoga since it was founded in 2014, growing by word of mouth, and this focus has allowed the small business to grow.
The community feel was obvious at the class I attended, and there’s often over 100 students each time.
A dedicated core of yogis live in Brixton, but there are students all around the UK and even across Europe and Asia. Social media has played a big role in connecting people with Brixton Yoga, who have more than 5,500 followers on Instagram.
Brixton Yoga run events to connect further with the local community, including collaborations with Brixton Brewery and the Village.
Brixton House Theatre director Gbolahan Obisesan also recently jumped on board for a class.
A full timetable of classes, including beginners’ classes and chair yoga, is made possible due to donations.
There are even movement sessions for students with learning disabilities.
Gurpreet was previously a dance movement therapist and before to that performed with the integrated dance theatre company, Amici Dance Theatre – where he is a trustee. In a past life, he even worked as an aide to the MP Charles Kennedy.
“The support from the Brixton Yoga community has been overwhelming,” he says.
“Students have sent us cakes, books, plants, cards, donations and business advice; we are so very grateful to you all.
“Overnight, when the first lockdown was announced in March 2020, I was looking at losing my business, my income and my home.
“What started as a way to keep my own spirits up during those first days of isolation has become a truly amazing community project, still with its roots firmly in Brixton but now stretching from Cornwall to Scotland, and even further with some students joining us from New York to New Delhi!”
“Brixton Yoga offering free yoga classes is nothing compared to the huge sacrifices made by NHS staff and key workers throughout this pandemic, but we hope that, in our own way, we have been able to offer some consistency to the days, a little glimmer of positivity and a few laughs during such a tough time for us all.
“We cannot wait to see everyone in real life as we now plan summer retreats and socially distanced mini-festival weekends with yoga, live music, and homemade food set on a farm near London.
“We’re delighted to offer some free spots to NHS staff and key workers for all their hard work and sacrifice – all paid for by everyone’s kind donations!”
Gurpreet hopes to bring his yoga community together for the summer events, which will hopefully also include elements of theatre.
| 2021 Live Free Yoga Timetable | |
|---|---|
| Monday | |
| 7.30—8am | Morning Meditation |
| 8—8.30am | Gentle morning yoga |
| 6—7pm | Vinyasa flow (all levels) |
| 7.15—8.15pm | Amici Dance Movement |
| 9—9.30pm | Gong Meditation |
| Tuesday | |
| 7.30—8am | Morning Meditation |
| 8—8.30am | Gentle morning yoga |
| 6—7pm | Vinyasa flow (all levels) |
| Wednesday | |
| 7.30—8am | Morning Meditation |
| 8-8.30am | Gentle morning yoga |
| 6—7pm | Vinyasa flow (all levels) |
| 9—9.30pm | Gong Meditation |
| Thursday | |
| 7.30—8am | Morning Meditation |
| 8—8.30am | Gentle morning yoga |
| 6—7pm | Vinyasa flow (all levels) |
| Friday | |
| 7.30—8am | Morning Meditation |
| 8—8.30am | Gentle morning yoga |
| 11—11.45am | Chair Yoga (for limited mobility) |
| 6—7pm | Slow Flow (beginners friendly) |
| Saturday | |
| 10—11.15am | All levels flow and meditations |
| Sunday | |
| 10—11.15am | All levels flow and meditations |
Donations: paypalme/brixtonyoga
Zoom ID. 908 876 3992
Find out more at www.brixtonyoga.co.uk
