Yoga Punx PDX was founded by Sandee Lawless in 2014. Sandee was inspired to begin a Portland chapter by Khristine Jones, the founder of the first collective in San Francisco. Yoga Punx is an international collective, of donation-based all levels yoga classes. Each group is independent of each other, yet tied by a belief that yoga must be accessible for all people.

In 2018, Yoga Punx PDX became a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization whose mission is to offer healing practices of yoga, meditation, sound healing, cultural arts and indigenous (wellness) practices through classes, trainings, workshops and retreats.  We use harm reduction, trauma-informed approaches to serve our community by removing financial and physical barriers.  We are committed to decolonizing wellness and taking back indigenous offerings. We firmly believe that all should have access to these practices, not just those with means.

Yoga is a path towards liberating all people, but to ensure all are liberated, we focus on those who need it the most. We have created radically inclusive space(s) for marginalized people to feel welcome, seen, and to see themselves reflected back within the community.

We have created radically inclusive space(s) for oppressed people to feel welcome, seen, and to see themselves reflected back within the community.

We remove physical and financial barriers serving those who have no access—rehabs, nursing homes, shelters and beyond.

We firmly believe that the guides we train and mentor through our 200 hour program, from BIPOC, LGBTQI2SA communities and those in active recovery, must be paid a living wage for their offerings. We do not ask our teachers to volunteer, we pay them for all their service.

By supporting our community, creating brave spaces, the collective can heal.

We are proud of our services, in 2017 we served over 800 people, and in 2019 we were well on our way to reaching over 2000 people. 2020, COVID and we now offer in-person and livestream hybrid classes and in 2021 now offer our On Demand program.

By summer of 2021, we again will be bringing classes to under-resourced communities without access by bringing classes outside the studio.