Your Group is building a yoga studio/community space in Isla Vista., tell us more about it?

It’s really hard for me to outline a vision for this space. all i can really do at this point is just say what myself and the folks working directly with me are putting into this project. our hope is that as we move forward, and as the larger community begins to get involved, (which is tentatively starting to happen now), vision or visions will evolve organically from the needs and interests and interactions between the people who are going to be a part of this whole thing. i would really hesitate to proclaim a vision, or mention the word ‘vision’, before that process is allowed to happen, especially because i’d be afraid we’d be losing a chance to create something really unique.

What are you putting into this project?

Foremost, we are providing a self-sustaining, non-profit yoga studio and community space. a lot of time, effort, and money have already been put in to put together the right environment for a yoga studio (getting the right floor, soundproofing, decorating, etc), although right now we are still in the construction/remodeling phase. by "self-sustaining" i mean simply that the studio/community space sustains itself financially. we do not need to rely on outside funding agencies or grants or charity to keep the thing running. we pay our yoga instructors, our plumbers, our electricians, etc., etc. we do not expect them to donate their time and effort. we feel strongly that if a space such as this needs to rely on outside agencies for funding, it can’t truly be considered a community space, since it is not truly a product of its community. furthermore, it can’t it be considered as a viable model for effecting social change, since it depends on the finite resources of the progressive fundraising community to survive.

the principles that guide our work are anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-imperialism, anti-ageism, and in general making sure that, in all our efforts, no one person or group feels marginalized. i personally am very much aware of how persistent a problem racism especially can be, even in "radical" or "progressive" communities. and i can also say that nothing has been a bigger catalyst for my own personal growth than trying to understand and work with the perspectives/ideas/voices of people much different from myself, especially those of traditionally marginalized communities. that would be wonderful if we could achieve that on a community level.

What does a yoga studio have to do with a community space?

During the later evening (or in general, whenever there isn’t a yoga class scheduled), the studio is open for the community members to use. since the space is being soundproofed, events such as concerts (even loud ones) and film screenings are being planned right now. additionally, the space is being offered for groups to use as meeting space or to launch/plan projects run out of the studio. to give you a better idea of what i’m talking about, here’s a list of events/projects that are being planned right now (keep in mind, we aren’t even open yet):

• d.i.y community skillshare (bio-diesel, how to make your own soymilk, etc)
• iv food not bombs
• santa barbara community radio project
• numerous punk rock and hip hop performances (we are trying to reach out to other artists, those just happen to be where i have connections now)
• teach-in about issues of global justice with the arts-activism group the beehive collective
• the rape crisis center is going to be holding free self-defense classes in spanish here.
additionally, (this has not been settled yet), but there has been some talk about keeping the space open all night long as a safe space for women who for any reason feel threatened or are in need of a safe space to go to.
• puppet/storytelling show
• progressive community library
• a program that would offer free yoga classes for latino youth (still in the planning stages)
• yoga classes that are offered at a price non-rich people can afford

(long term, the hope is that we will be able to provide not just a location but an ACTUAL BUDGET for these projects!!)

Stuff like this already happens in other places. I love food not bombs, but we would like to do more than just import food not bombs into isla vista. rather my hope is that through REAL empowerment, which does not simply reproduce our own particular versions of the same old social/racial/etc hierarchies, all these different constituencies (food not bombs, the yoga community, the punk rockers, etc) can really work with each other to create something unique. skillshares, for example, have been a popular part of the progressive punk rock community for many years, but our skillshare will also feature significant contributions from the senior citizens community. personally, I really look forward to seeing what’s gonna come out!!!

So, it’s gonna be yoga, punk rock, puppet shows, and food for the homeless?

What these things have in common is that they represent different forms of empowerment. we’re starting out with a space, but my hope is that what we’re really providing is the resources and inspiration to empower people to take back their own lives.

Wish list :
• soundproofing material
• we need a plumber real bad!!
• construction help/construction materials
• your involvement/ideas!!!
• a stereo system
• furniture (sofas, etc)
• sound equipment (PA’s etc)

If you are interested in getting involved, we are interested in getting involved with you.... please contact David Baghdadi at 805 268 2925.

IV Community Space / Yoga Center, 910 embarcadero del norte #c, unfortunately the place is still very much under construction.

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