We create intentional gathering spaces that center on people of color for self-care, healing, empowerment, and liberation. These gatherings are offered in partnership with Yogasaar studio and Yoga for people of color sangha. All classes are offered in studio and live on zoom. Masks are no longer required, though for the safety of the community, we recommend masking or joining virtually if you are feeling unwell or recently exposed to others feeling unwell.

These gatherings are provided in the spirit of "dana" or generosity but also cover the sangha’s operational expenses. Monetary contributions of any amount are welcome and necessary for the community’s sustenance. To contribute please contact ym.poc.nm@gmail.com or Venmo at YOGAPOC.

All gatherings are specifically for self-identified people of color only. Our sangha is home to POC of all sexual and gender identities and our facilitators reflect that range in identities. Please note the group for each gathering. 

2^nd Fridays are Yin-Yang Yoga for POC, led by Aparna. All other weeks rotate in facilitation by teachers who are part of the sangha. Examples of facilitation include:  Restorative yoga in Spanish, Chair yoga,  Philosophy and dharma talks, Pranayama, Guided and silence meditation,Dialogue on politics & current affairs, Sound baths etc.

For the most up to date information about upcoming classes, email ym.poc.nm@gmail.com to be added to the monthly mailing list or request to join the Sangha on Facebook.

 Sangha Teachers & Facilitators

FARAH NOUSHEEN (she/her) 

Read Bio HERE

APARNA LEVINE (She/her) 

Read Bio HERE



Mari Uehara-Damp (she/hers)

Mari  200RYT graduated from her  Yoga Certification Program at Central New Mexico Community College in 2020 with the highest honors.  As an avid Martial Arts practitioner, Mari got hooked on yoga and started practicing more seriously to honor her mother, who was an over-20-year yogini.  Mari enjoys anatomically alignment-based Hatha yoga and takes on challenges of Ashtanga yoga.  Mari owns a First-Degree Black Belt for Kenpo Karate and the Green Belt for Krav Maga.   Currently, she shares her practice with the Japanese community in Albuquerque.  



 Fiore Bran Aragón (she/ella)

Fiore is a 200 HR certified teacher in vinyasa/ashtanga yoga with training in trauma informed yoga practice. She started practicing in 2016 after she was diagnosed with arthritis. Her trauma informed yoga instruction is sparked by serving Latine immigrant communities who have been subject to forced displacement from Central America and Mexico. Fiore is excited to offer bilingual and Spanish led yoga at Yogasaar. 

YIN - YANG - YOGA for POC

2nd Friday of each month, 6-7.15pm

   with APARNA

The intention of this class & its structure is to celebrate, support and honor the needs of current and future students of color in our community to practice alongside one another in a safe and welcoming environment with a teacher of color. The purpose of YIN-YANG YOGA FOR POC classes is to address the specific practice needs of these groups, and to create a space where people who share similar experiences can come  together to be restored, replenished and healed.

An all Levels Yoga Class offering a healing space for those identifying as people of color Yin-Yang-Nidra for People of Color class is an entry point for people new to yoga, as well as a means for those with yoga experience to continue to evolve their practice.  There will be an opportunity to explore yoga & mindfulness  practices using them to reclaim personal power and heal the experience of being a person of color in America.

A Yoga class designed for balancing energy, flexibility, strength and ending with a deep guided relaxation. Many thanks to Asian American Association of New Mexico for their support.

Yin-Yang Yoga blends two styles of yoga into one practice – bringing together the benefits of passively holding yoga poses with more dynamic sequences and standing postures. Yin and Yang are the Taoist concepts which describe the two relative qualities present in everything. Yin is more internal, passive, cooling and downward. Yang is more external, dynamic, warming and upward. Combining both Yin and Yang elements in one class provides a balanced practice and can have a powerful effect on our energy levels. The practice of yin/yang yoga helps us learn about stillness in movement and the flow in stillness.